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Born in Russia · Nationality Russian — MMA / UFC / anti-doping / public statements

Islam Makhachev

Documented profile covering 4 controversies, including “2016: Meldonium test, provisional suspension and withdrawal from bout — suspension subsequently lifted” and “2016: Overweight at first weigh-in before UFC on Fox 19, makes weight within additional hour”.

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Profile No. 1861 · Updated on 12 October 2026

4Documented controversies

8Sources

0Formal charge · all time

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

12–17 February 2023

2023: Allegation of prohibited IV infusion after UFC 284 — commission finds no conclusive evidence

No legal proceedings

Dan Hooker accused Makhachev of using an IV infusion to rehydrate after the UFC 284 weigh-in. The Western Australian Combat Sports Commission subsequently stated that it had no conclusive evidence that any fighter had breached its rules.

Sources · 2

[1]
MMA FightingWestern Australia commission: ‘No conclusive evidence’ fighters used IV to cheat at UFC 284PressHigh reliability
[2]
MMA FightingMatt Brown addresses IV use by fighters after Dan Hooker accuses Islam Makhachev of cheatingPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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7–9 March 2020

2020: 'This is not a woman's sport' tweet after Zhang–Jędrzejczyk, accused of disparaging women's MMA

No legal proceedings

Following Zhang Weili–Joanna Jędrzejczyk at UFC 248, Makhachev posted a message stating 'this is not a woman's sport'. The comment was criticised as disparaging women's MMA.

State of the evidence: Reported by the press
Attribution: Personally implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
The New York Review of BooksPlanet UFCPressHigh reliability
[2]
FIGHT SPORTSSean O'Malley Contemplates The Potential For A Women's UFCPressMedium reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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15 April–1 July 2016

2016: Meldonium test, provisional suspension and withdrawal from bout — suspension subsequently lifted

Civil / administrative proceedings

USADA reported a potential anti-doping violation involving meldonium; Makhachev was provisionally suspended and withdrawn from his bout against Drew Dober. In July 2016, the suspension was lifted in light of WADA guidance on meldonium cases.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
UFCUFC Statement on Islam MakhachevOfficial documentVery high reliability
[2]
UFCUFC Statement on Islam MakhachevOfficial documentVery high reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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15 April 2016

2016: Overweight at first weigh-in before UFC on Fox 19, makes weight within additional hour

No legal proceedings

Makhachev initially exceeded the weigh-in limit before returning at 156 pounds within the additional period allowed under the regulations.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
MMA FightingUFC on FOX 19 weigh-in videoPressHigh reliability
[2]
FOX SportsIslam Makhachev flagged for banned substance, fight with Drew Dober scrappedPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

III. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.