Rob Wilkinson issues statement addressing removal from 2023 PFL season due to failed drug test

Rob Wilkinson has addressed the drug test failure that led to his removal from the remainder of the 2023 PFL season.

Wilkinson (17-2 MMA, 4-0 PFL), the 2022 PFL light heavyweight season winner, was among double-digit fighters on the promotion’s roster who received sanctions from Nevada for failed drug tests.

“Razor” competed in the co-main event of the first event of the season, winning a unanimous decision against former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Thiago Santos at 2023 PFL 1. However, due to his failed drug test, that result has since been overturned to a no contest.

Wilkinson issued a lengthy statement on Instagram Wednesday, addressing the issues. He takes full responsibility for the drug test failure and promises to get better mentally and physically as he prepares to return for the 2024 season.

Firstly, I would like to thank you for your support over my career and I want to provide you all with an explanation for my nonattendance in the 2023 PFL season.

After my last fight on April 1st, I failed an in-competition drug test, which has resulted in my suspension for the rest of the 2023 PFL season.

I have and will continue to reflect on all the reasons that led me down this path, but regardless of these reasons, I am extremely disappointed in myself. I want to emphasize that I wholeheartedly accept full responsibility for the choices I have made and the consequences that have come with it.

To my family, friends, team, fans, and the PFL, I’ve let you down and for that I am sorry. All I can do now is learn and grow from my mistakes, as I’ve always tried to do. I will take this time to improve my mentality and skill set and will be back better than ever. Through every set back, is an opportunity for a stronger come back.

To all of those who have reached out and shown unwavering support during this challenging time, I want to express my sincerest gratitude to you all. I truly appreciate each and every one of you.

I am looking forward to putting this behind me and getting back to what I love. I promise you that I will be bringing the PFL 2024 LHW belt back to Australia.

Wilkinson’s 2022 championship run included four straight stoppage victories. He stopped Bruce Souto, Viktor Pesta, Delan Monte and Omari Akhmedov in succession to become the season winner.