Alexander Shabliy suspended 6 months by USADA for failed drug test

Former Bellator lightweight title challenger Alexander Shabliy has accepted a six-month suspension handed down by the United States Anti-Doping Agency after he tested positive for a banned substance from an out-of-competition drug test.

USADA officials announced the suspension on Wednesday.

“Shabliy, 32, tested positive for tested positive for recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO) as the result of an out-of-competition sample collected on March 19, 2025,” USADA officials said in a statement. “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.

“Under Section 10.2 of the current 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. In this case, USADA’s investigation yielded information suggesting Shabliy’s use was not deliberate, and Shabliy provided valuable cooperation regarding the individual who administered the EPO. Shabliy’s six-month period of ineligibility began on March 19, 2025, the date his positive sample was collected.”

Based on his suspension, Shabliy is eligible to compete again after Sept. 19.

Recombinant erythropoietin is banned at all times for athletes because the synthetic drug can be used to increase red blood cell production and enhance oxygen carrying capacity, which obviously helps with cardio and conditioning for fighters specifically.

Shabliy, who now competes under the PFL banner, hasn’t fought since he lost a decision to lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov back in September 2024. He’ll now have to sit out until at least September 2025 before competing again.