2022 PFL Lightweight Champion Rob Wilkinson has been removed from the PFL season after testing positive for a banned substance according to a report from MMAMania.com. Wilkinson was scheduled to face Ty Flores on June 8th in Atlanta at the next PFL event.
The report states that the test occurred as a result of his first fight this season – a win over former UFC title challenger, Thiago Santos this past April. Notably, Santos also failed a drug test due to a banned substance.
The removal of Wilkinson means that there will be a new lightweight champion for the PFL in 2023. The report means that he is the 5th PFL athlete to test positive for a banned substance this season.
Payout Perspective:
The amount of fighters testing positive for banned substances this season may be a result of the short turnarounds in fights in a PFL season coupled with the fact that Nevada actively tests athletes fighting in its jurisdiction. The bad news for Wilkinson is that due to the ongoing season it would be hard to appeal the test in time to make it back in the bracket. Thus, if it turns out that it was a faulty test or tainted supplement, Wilkinson’s chances of going back to back are gone due to a mistake.
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