Former UFC Dmitri Smoliokov was suspended by the USADA when he failed a pair of drug tests.
“Smoliakov, 37, tested positive for recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) and intact human chronic gonadtrophin (hCG) as the result of urine samples he provided out-of-competition on April 22, 2019 and in-competition on April 27, 2019 at ESPN+ (Fight Night) 10, where he lost by technical knockout,” USADA officials wrote in a statement.
“rHuEPO is a synthetic hormone used to stimulate the body’s production of red blood cells, thereby increasing oxygen transport and aerobic power, and is prohibited at all times in the class of Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances, and Mimetics under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, which has adopted the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List. hCG is also in the class Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics and its use is prohibited for males at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy.”
The in-competition test was collected the night when Smoliakov suffered a first round knock-out by Greg Hardy in his last appearance at the UFC.
Even after the suspension, Smoliakov will still be facing punishment from the USADA because he failed the tests while being enrolled in the UFC’s anti-doping program.
The Russian fighter will only be returning to action on or after April 22, 2021 as a result of the suspension he received by the USADA.
Smoliakov is currently scheduled to compete in Moscow at Fight Nights Global. Even though suspended fighters by USADA are not allowed to fight, countries without governing bodies do not recognize USADA and still allows the fighters to compete.
