(Bagautinov apparently tested positive for over four times the legal limit of AWESOME. Photo via Getty.)
While details are scarce at the moment, it would appear as if Dagestani flyweight Ali Bagautinov, who is currently scheduled to challenge Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight title at UFC 174 in June, has been banned from the International Sambo Federation following a positive test for Methylhexaneamine in 2012. Again, how this news was only recently discovered is anyone’s guess, but here’s the gist of it (via a report on MMABoxing.ru translated by Bloody Elbow):
Report on Anti-Doping (Mr. Ali Bagautinov Shamil’evich)
In accordance with Art. 14.2.2 Doping provisions FIAS report that athlete Mr. Ali Bagautinov Shamil’evich violated Art. 2.1 Anti-Doping regulations FIAS (presence of a prohibited substance methylhexaneamine in an athlete’s sample). Commission Hearing doping cases FIAS has adopted the following sanctions against the athlete:
– 2 years ineligibility from 9 November 2012 to November 8, 2014
– Cancellation of the athlete received during the FIFA World Sambo 2012, which held in Minsk (Belarus), including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
– Part or all of the financial support that is associated with sports activities, or other related activities, grants ever recieved by an athlete will be withheld and FIAS it’s national federations in accordance with Art. 10.10.3 Doping provisions FIAS
Methylhexaneamine is a banned substance most often found in nasal sprays that has also been marketed as an energy-boosting dietary supplement in recent years. It has been banned by several sports commissions due to safety concerns (having been linked to the deaths of at least 5 people), and was brought into the public eye last year when Toronto Blue Jays prospect Marcus Stroman tested positive for it. Additionally, boxer Brandon Rios was suspended by the China Professional Boxing Association after testing positive for the drug following his loss to Manny Pacquiao in December of 2013.
When asked about Bagautinov’s situation at the UFC 173 media scrum yesterday, Dana White declined to comment, stating only that it “wasn’t important.” Let’s hope this doesn’t affect Bagautinov’s upcoming title shot against Johnson, because the last thing that garbage-ass card needs is a cancelled main event. In any case, keep an eye out for how jacked-up Bagautinov looks against Johnson come June 14th, because I hear that nasal spray is powerful stuff…