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Former Ranked UFC Heavyweight Handed 22-Month Suspension For Drug Test Failure One Fight Into PFL Career

Former UFC heavyweight contender Blagoy Ivanov won’t be making his sophomore appearance under the PFL banner anytime soon. Ivanov, a former Bellator fighter and WSOF champion, competed eight times in the UFC, defeating Ben Rothwell and Tai Tuivasa en route to the rankings early into his Octagon tenure. The Bulgarian fell to consecutive decision defeats […]

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Former UFC heavyweight contender Blagoy Ivanov won’t be making his sophomore appearance under the PFL banner anytime soon.

Ivanov, a former Bellator fighter and WSOF champion, competed eight times in the UFC, defeating Ben Rothwell and Tai Tuivasa en route to the rankings early into his Octagon tenure.

The Bulgarian fell to consecutive decision defeats opposite Marcin Tybura and Alexandr Romanov in 2023, after which he departed mixed martial arts’ leading promotion and signed with the Professional Fighters League.

The veteran made his SmartCage debut at event one of this year’s regular season, battling Sergei Bilostenniy in a memorable three-round war. Ivanov once again failed to earn the judges’ nod, and that marked his sole shot at putting points on the board.

Ivanov was scheduled to next face Oleg Popov in June but was pulled on late notice. That cancellation now has some aded context following the announcement of an indiscretion in the drug test department.

Ivanov Slapped With Lengthy Suspension After Failing Drug Test

On Wednesday, USADA officials announced that Ivanov tested positive for a substance that violated the PFL’s anti-doping policy during an out-of-competition test on March 28, 2024.

As a result of the drug test failure, the former UFC heavyweight-turned-PFL newcomer has been handed a 22-month suspension, a reduced term due to his cooperation throughout the investigation.

“Ivanov, 37, tested positive for an anabolic agent as the result of an out-of-competition sample collected on March 28, 2024,” a USADA statement read. “His urine sample was analyzed using a specialized test that differentiates between anabolic androgenic steroids naturally produced by the body and prohibited anabolic agents of external origin.

“Ivanov received a reduction to the default period of ineligibility for his full and complete cooperation. Ivanov’s 22-month period of ineligibility began on March 28, 2024, the date his positive sample was collected.”

It remains to be seen whether Ivanov will remain a part of the PFL roster following confirmation of his failed drugs test and subsequent suspension.

What is certain, however, is that the Bulgarian won’t be a part of the 2025 heavyweight season or any other events until January 2026 at the earliest.

Read More: Aljamain Sterling Calls Movsar Evloev A Drug Cheat: ‘Same Thing People Were Saying About TJ Dillashaw…’

Continue Reading Former Ranked UFC Heavyweight Handed 22-Month Suspension For Drug Test Failure One Fight Into PFL Career at MMA News.

Tom Aspinall Would ‘Love’ To Fight Blagoy Ivanov Next

Tom Aspinall is taking things slowly in his UFC career. Aspinall continued his unbeaten streak in the promotion with an impressive first-round TKO win over Sergey Spivak on the UFC Vegas 36 main card last night. It was not only a win against a fellow contender in the heavyweight division, but also meant Aspinall maintained […]

Tom Aspinall is taking things slowly in his UFC career.

Aspinall continued his unbeaten streak in the promotion with an impressive first-round TKO win over Sergey Spivak on the UFC Vegas 36 main card last night.

It was not only a win against a fellow contender in the heavyweight division, but also meant Aspinall maintained his 100% finishing record as he is yet to truly compete in the second round, let alone make the third round in his career.

Given his momentum, he could have easily shot his shot and called for a higher-ranked opponent next. Aspinall is different, however.

Instead, he wants to slowly take out anyone ranked above him in his path one at a time and grow as a fighter rather than leapfrog a contender thanks to a hype machine.

That means a potential meeting with Blagoy Ivanov could be on the cards — something Aspinall is all for especially as Ivanov is the kind of fighter who will push him to his limits.

“Do you know what? I would love to fight Blagoy Ivanov,” Aspinall told BT Sport (via Middle Easy). “He does test you. He’s really durable, he’s really, really experienced and that’s what I need.

“I need someone who can push me a little bit and take me to three rounds, I wanna do three rounds.”

Although Ivanov is on a two-fight losing streak, they were split decision defeats to Derrick Lewis and Augusto Sakai. Having never been finished by knockout in his career, Ivanov is certainly one of the most durable fighters in the division.

Being the first to finish Ivanov in the UFC would certainly be a feather in Aspinall’s cap.

Augusto Sakai Outpoints Blagoy Ivanov – UFC Vegas Results

In the co-main event, we have a heavyweight match-up. Blagoy Ivanov will be looking to get back into the win column after dropping a split decision against Derrick Lewis last time out. Before that, he had picked up back-to-back wins over Ben Rothwell and Tai Tuivasa. He’ll need to get through Augusto Sakai in order […]

Round 1: The fight starts at a really slow pace. Both fighters are really feeling out the other man – swapping legs kicks and feinting punches throughout the first two minutes. Blagoy Ivanov rushes forward and throws a huge overhand that misses. He again comes in and lands a shot to the body and one to the head in the biggest moment of the fight. Augusto Sakai is firing in leg kicks which are making an awful sound, Ivanov is going to be feeling them in the morning. Ivanov pressures his opponent up against the fence but doesn’t do much with it but his gameplan is clear now. So is Sakai’s – he’s got a heavy kick game throwing nasty shots to the legs and body. Ivanov again pushes up to the fence and fires off a few punches as the round ends.

Round 2: Ivanov opens up with a big left hand to start round one. The Bulgarian lands another big shot too! Sakai responds with a nice counter shot. He’s also landing nice kicks which appear to be bothering Ivanov who shoots for a takedown and eats a few punches for his efforts. Ivanov is landing but is starting to look tired and it seems the tide is turning in this fight. Sakai is landing more big body kicks and lands a knee in the clinches but pushes his opponent against the fence. On the break, he lands a hook then and backhand it really was beautiful stuff. The leg kicks are adding up for Sakai now he’s enjoying a brilliant round two. Ivanov is trying to throw hard shots simultaneously but he’s out of range. Just 30 seconds left on the clock Ivanov grabs a leg and secures the first takedown of the fight. A few seconds left on the clock and Sakai works his way back to his feet before the horn sounds.

Round 3: Ivanov throwing big shots to open the round lands a couple but takes a few counters on his way in. Sakai hits a leg kick. Ivanov lands a grazing shot. The Brazilian continues to rattle off leg kicks before a rare lull in the action – this really has been a good fight. The fighters clinch up and Sakai pushes the fight onto the fence. He lands a knee and an uppercut. Ivanov holds almost hits a takedown but Sakai grabs the fence to remain on his feet it’s a clear foul but the referee lets it slide. Ivanov backs up and eats a few shots. Sakai is back in his rhythm hitting leg kicks as we head into the final minute. Ivanov is pushing forward and lands one of his biggest shots of the fights but doesn’t get much of a reaction. Final seconds Sakai lands a boy kicks, Ivanov lands a punch as the bell sounds to end the fight.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Augusto Sakai def. Blagoy Ivanov via Split Decision

UFC on ESPN 9 Highlights: Augusto Sakai Edges Out Blagoy Ivanov

Blagoy Ivanov vs. Augusto Sakai delivered the heavyweight slugfest that was promised at UFC on ESPN 9. The two fighters met in a heavyweight bout on Saturday night (May 30, 2020) at the UFC on ESPN 9 from Las Vegas, Nevada at the Apex. This was a…

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2 Fights Slated For UFC 250

UFC 250 is taking shape. The promotion returns to Sao Paulo, Brazil, for UFC 250 which takes place at the Ibirapuera Gymnasium on May 9. As per MMA Fighting, heavyweights will collide as Blagoy Ivanov meets Augusto Sakai on the card. Ivanov is coming off a unanimous decision defeat to Derrick Lewis at UFC 244 […]

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UFC 250 is taking shape.

The promotion returns to Sao Paulo, Brazil, for UFC 250 which takes place at the Ibirapuera Gymnasium on May 9.

As per MMA Fighting, heavyweights will collide as Blagoy Ivanov meets Augusto Sakai on the card. Ivanov is coming off a unanimous decision defeat to Derrick Lewis at UFC 244 in November. It put a half to his two-fight winning streak.

Sakai, meanwhile, is 3-0 since debuting for the promotion as he looks to continue climbing up the ranks. He notably defeated the likes of Chase Sherman, Andrei Arlovski and Marcin Tybura.

Ketlen Vieira is also set to return to action on the card as she meets Marion Reneau in a women’s bantamweight contest. Vieira’s last outing was an emphatic knockout defeat at the hands of Irene Aldana at UFC 245 — her first professional defeat.

She will look to bounce back against Reneau who is currently on a two-fight losing streak. Her last outing was a unanimous decision defeat to Yana Kunitskaya in March last year. Both fighters have confirmed the matchup on social media.

There is no main event as of yet, but it is expected to be a bantamweight title fight between current champion Henry Cejudo and Jose Aldo.

What do you make of these fights?

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Derrick Lewis Edges Out Blagoy Ivanov – UFC 244 Results

Next up on the UFC 244 main card is a heavyweight affair between Derrick Lewis and Blagoy Ivanov. Round 1: Ivanov takes Lewis down and is in side control. He attempts a submission but Lewis gets out of it and explodes with some strikes. Ivanov returns some and they clinch up. Lewis takes Ivanov down […]

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Next up on the UFC 244 main card is a heavyweight affair between Derrick Lewis and Blagoy Ivanov.

Round 1: Ivanov takes Lewis down and is in side control. He attempts a submission but Lewis gets out of it and explodes with some strikes. Ivanov returns some and they clinch up. Lewis takes Ivanov down now but the latter gets up and they clinch again. Ivanov attempts a hip toss but Lewis stays on his feet. They separate and remain cautious for the remainder of the round.

Round 2: Ivanov attempts a big left hand and clinches up with Lewis. Lewis attempts a missed uppercut as they separate. Ivanov gets hurt when Lewis unleashes a flurry but manages to take the American down. He attempts another submission but Lewis gets out of it again and explodes on the feet but Ivanov survives. They clinch up once again. Lewis ends up hurting Ivanov with strikes who is now bleeding but not out of this yet. Ivanov ends the round with a beautiful trip.

Round 3: It’s a much more slow fight now with both heavyweights slightly gassed out. However, it’s Ivanov advancing more. He lands a combo and clinches up with Lewis. He attempts to trip Lewis but is unable to. Ivanov lands a left while Lewis misses with a counter uppercut. Lewis attempts a takedown but Ivanov stuffs it and seems to be looking for a submission but Lewis gets up once again. They clinch again. Lewis looks to end the fight in the last few seconds but Ivanov dodges and survives.

Official result: Derrick Lewis defeats Blagoy Ivanov via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28).

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