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Australian Sports Commission declines to comment on Makhachev’s doping accusations

Last October, Islam Makhachev, became the second Russian fighter to win the UFC lightweight title

MOSCOW, February 16. /TASS/. The Australian Sports Commission (AIS) declines to comment on previously voiced charges that Russia’s UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev allegedly resorted to prohibited substances via the use of IVs, a source in the AIS told TASS on Thursday.

The source in the AIS said that there would be no commentaries regarding the pressed accusations against Russia’s Makhachev regarding his alleged doping abuse.

Fighting in the lightweight division last weekend, Russia’s Makhachev defeated Australia's Alexander Volkanovski by unanimous decision.

The fight took place at the RAC Arena in Australia’s Perth as part of the UFC 284 Championship on February 11. However, Volkanovski and New Zealand’s Dan Hooker later stated that Makhachev allegedly took prohibited substances.

Makhacev told the press on Wednesday that "UFC [the Ultimate Fighting Championship] employs its own experts and they come from the United States Anti-Doping Agency [USADA]. In all, they tested me at least four times before the fight…. Australia has its own athletic commission, which also collected a blood sample from me."

Last October, Makhachev, became the second Russian fighter to win the UFC lightweight title. Previously, the title was held by Khabib Nurmagomedov, who vacated it in 2020 after defeating Justin Gaethje.

Makhachev, 31, boasts a record of 24 wins (four by KO/TKO, 11 by submission, nine by decision) and one defeat. His Australian opponent Alexander ‘The Great’ Volkanovski is a 34-year-old fighter, who now has a career fighting record of 25 wins (12 by KO/TKO, three by submission, 10 by decision) and two defeats.

The UFC (the Ultimate Fighting Championship) is the largest MMA (mixed martial arts) promotion event around the globe featuring the world’s top-ranked fighters. Many Russian fighters take part in the UFC competitions.

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