Troubles loom for Khabib Nurmagomedov’s teammate, Movlid Khaybulaev, after he tested positive for a banned substance. On Wednesday, the United States Anti-Doping Agency brought the matter to light and revealed that the two-time PFL featherweight champion had tested positive for recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO) after officials conducted a test following his victory over Jesus Pinedo at PFL World Tournament 8 in August.

“Khaybulaev, 35, tested positive for recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO) as the result of an in-competition sample collected at the PFL World Tournament Finals on August 1, 2025. rEPO is prohibited at all times in the class of peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances, and mimetics under the PFL Anti-Doping Policy (ADP) and PFL Prohibited List,” USADA announced on Wednesday, as per MMA Mania.

For the unversed, rEPO increases red blood cell production in the body and helps oxygen travel faster through the muscles. Because of that, it significantly improves a fighter’s cardio ability and allows them to grind hard inside the cage without getting tired. Moreover, it also aids recovery. So, when fighters use rEPO, they gain unfair advantages, which is why athletic commissions strictly ban it.

Now, since Khaybulaev’s last fight at the PFL tournament was against Jesus Pinedo, where he secured a 5th-round finish, USADA handed him a one-year suspension that started on August 1, 2025, and will last for an entire year.

“Under Section 10.2 of the applicable version of the PFL ADP, the default period of ineligibility for the use of a prohibited substance is six months but can be increased up to a year in certain circumstances. Here, Khaybulaev received the maximum one-year period of ineligibility because of the nature of the substance and the timing of his positive test. Khaybulaev’s one-year period of ineligibility began on August 1, 2025, the date his positive sample was collected,” USADA added in their official statement.

Well, after Khabib Nurmagomedov’s teammate popped for EPO, Conor McGregor’s media outlet, the MacLife, also shared the story on their social media platforms. So, in that sense, ‘The Notorious’ team has responded, but he has yet to react to the Dagestani camp’s member popping for testing positive. However, McGregor’s teammate has properly lashed out at Movlid Khaybulaev.  

Conor McGregor’s teammate called our PFL Featherweight champion 

Although the former two-division champ is yet to react, his teammate and sparring partner, Brendan Loughnane, has decided to chime in with a chilling response. The British PFL fighter was part of Conor McGregor’s gym, SBG Ireland, for a long time, then changed to Manchester Predators and continued his fighting career. Interestingly, the Englishman already has a rivalry going with Khaybulaev.

They fought back in 2021 at the PFL 2021 #9 event, with $1 million prize money on the line, in which Loughnane lost via split decision in the tournament. A year later, the Brit won the championship, earning the coveted prize. But now, as Khaybulaev tested positive for a banned substance, Loughnane’s memory of losing that fight came back as he suspects Khabib’s teammate also used EPO in their fight as well, so he decided to call him out.

“This fight literally cost me millions of dollars. Lost a split decision to a known cheater. Sport is wild.” Loughnane wrote on X, immediately after Khaybulaev’s suspension report was made public.

Now, the former two-time featherweight PFL champion wasn’t the only one who faced punishment for using a banned substance. In 2023, the current lightweight champion, Usman Nurmagomedov, also received a suspension after he failed a drug test following his Bellator 300 win vs Brent Primus. As punishment, officials later changed the Dagestani’s win to a no-contest.

So, since officials punished Usman with a no-contest, it remains to be seen whether Movlid Khaybulaev faces additional penalties. That said, what do you think the future holds for Khabib’s teammate? Let us know in the comments section below.