Alexander Shabliy, a prominent lightweight competitor previously challenging for the Bellator title and now fighting under the PFL banner, has accepted a six-month suspension. The ban was issued by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) after he failed an out-of-competition drug test.
USADA officially announced the details of the suspension on Wednesday.
According to USADA`s statement, the 32-year-old Shabliy tested positive for recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO). This finding resulted from a sample collected during an out-of-competition test on March 19, 2025. rEPO is strictly prohibited at all times for athletes and falls under the category of Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances, and Mimetics within the PFL Anti-Doping Policy (ADP) and Prohibited List.
The standard period of ineligibility for a prohibited substance violation under Section 10.2 of the PFL ADP is six months, although it can extend up to a year in certain situations. In this specific case, USADA`s investigation suggested that Shabliy`s use was not deliberate. Furthermore, he provided significant cooperation regarding the individual who administered the rEPO. Consequently, Shabliy`s six-month period of suspension began on March 19, 2025, which was the date his positive sample was collected.
Based on this timeline, Alexander Shabliy will be eligible to resume competition after September 19, 2025.
Recombinant erythropoietin is banned in sports because this synthetic substance increases the body`s production of red blood cells. This leads to enhanced oxygen-carrying capacity, which directly improves an athlete`s stamina and conditioning, offering a clear performance advantage, particularly beneficial for fighters.
Shabliy`s last fight was in September 2024, where he lost a decision to lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov. Due to this anti-doping violation, he will now remain sidelined for an extended period, unable to compete until at least September 2025.
Percy Harlow