Two ONE Championship Fighters Suspended for Failed Drug Tests
Two ONE Championship fighters have recently been suspended after failing drug tests, according to a source familiar with the matter. The suspensions were enforced under ONE’s anti-doping program guidelines, which prioritize fair competition and athlete integrity.
Kairat Akhmetov’s Positive Test and Suspension
Kairat Akhmetov, a prominent fighter in the ONE Championship, reportedly tested positive for a banned substance during an out-of-competition test conducted on May 15. As a result, he is expected to face a six-month suspension. Notably, his win over Reece McLaren at ONE Fight Night 10 will not be overturned since the positive test was out-of-competition, following ONE’s rules.
Julie Mezabarba’s Multiple Substance Violations and Release from ONE
Julie Mezabarba, a Brazilian athlete competing in ONE Championship, tested positive for multiple banned substances during an in-competition test on April 22. Consequently, she will be suspended for 18 months. However, it is worth noting that Mezabarba has already been released from the promotion, as evidenced by her participation in two local regional events in Brazil subsequent to her decision loss to Denice Zamboanga at ONE Fight Night 9 in Bangkok.
ONE Championship’s Rigorous Anti-Doping Measures
ONE Championship takes a strong stance against doping in MMA. The organization’s MMA contracts are exclusive, and it implements strict anti-doping protocols in collaboration with International Doping Tests and Management (IDTM), its anti-doping partner. Drug test samples are collected and processed under the supervision of a Doping Control Officer (DCO), ensuring the integrity and credibility of the testing process.
Other Incidents of Failed Drug Tests in ONE Championship
Apart from Akhmetov and Mezabarba, there have been other instances of fighters failing drug tests in ONE Championship. Croatian heavyweight Martin Batur, who made his promotional debut at ONE 160 event in Singapore, tested positive for a banned substance, resulting in the reclassification of his victory over Paul Elliot as a No Contest. Additionally, heavyweight fighter Jasur Mirzamukhamedov also tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance and was subsequently suspended and released from his ONE contract.
ONE Championship remains committed to maintaining the integrity and fairness of its competitions by implementing stringent anti-doping measures. The recent suspensions of Kairat Akhmetov and Julie Mezabarba underscore the promotion’s unwavering stance against doping, as it continues to uphold the values of clean competition within the realm of martial arts.
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