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Francis Ngannou made waves in the MMA community after he joined the PFL with a lucrative contract. However, the promotion is now in the limelight for all the wrong reasons. Former UFC fighter and current PFL light heavyweight champion Rob Wilkinson tested positive for a banned substance.

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Just a couple of days after ‘The Predator’ penned down his deal with Peter Murray‘s promotion, around nine PFL fighters faced sanctions from NSAC. This includes names like Bruno Cappelozza, Krzystof Jotko, Alejandro Flores, Thiago Santos and several others. It was a big blow for the MMA organization, causing a lot of turmoil within the MMA community.

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PFL champion fails test: suspended for the 2023 PFL season

Former 0-2 UFC fighter and PFL light heavyweight champion, Rob Wilkinson has found himself in hot waters after testing positive for supposed performance-enhancing dr*gs. (PEDs). He was subsequently pulled out of his next fight at PFL 4, where he was supposed to face Ty Flores in the co-main event. Furthermore, Wilkinson is now facing suspension for the rest of 2023.

The co-main event of PFL 4 has been replaced by a fight between Ty Flores and a veteran of the promotion, Dan Spohn. This is certainly a major blow to the promotion. The addition of Francis Ngannou and even Jake Paul has brought a lot of attention to the PFL. However, in the wake of fighters’ rampant use of PED, the promotion is in a difficult situation.

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Fans react to news of Wilkinson’s PED  issue

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The fans didn’t seem too happy with what has transpired over the past few weeks in the PFL. A couple of fans were certain that most fighters in the PFL use PEDs.

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One fan felt that almost half of the roster was found to have tested positive for PEDs.

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A fan claimed that the promotion doesn’t have a proper roster of fighters.

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A Twitter user opined that Rob Wilkinson’s massive difference in physique after leaving the UFC proved that he did use banned substances.

The fans expressed their disappointment with the PFL while reminding them that Ngannou’s debut is just months away.

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A fan suggested that PFL should follow the same testing procedure that UFC does with its fighters.

READ MORE: UFC Legend Highlights “Exemption” in USADA Rules That Conor McGregor Can Exploit: “Made Himself Available Six Months Before the Competition”

If such incidents continue to occur in this promotion, the anticipation to watch Francis Ngannou’s debut may die down. Only time will tell how the PFL will attempt to deal with the fighters regarding the use of banned substances. What do you think? Drop your comments below.

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Written by

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Himanga Mahanta

4,196 Articles

Himanga Mahanta is a Senior UFC Writer at EssentiallySports and a key pillar of the combat sports team. With over three years in sports journalism, he leads the site’s MMA PPV Live Coverage Desk, closely working with real-time updates, in-depth analysis, and trend-driven insights that keep fans ahead of the curve. From breaking news and beat reports to exclusive stories and sharp opinion pieces, Himanga’s coverage spans the full spectrum of the MMA world. His insightful reporting has earned recognition within the combat sports community, including mentions from notable figures such as Chael Sonnen. A keen observer of fight dynamics and a devoted Conor McGregor fan, Himanga blends passion with journalistic precision, making his work a reliable go-to for UFC followers worldwide.

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Rohini Kottu

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