Nurmagomedov denies intentionally doping

Usman Nurmagomedov is undefeated in his professional career

Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov has denied taking "steroids" as he prepares to make his return from a doping suspension on 7 September in California.

Nurmagomedov, 26, was banned for six months by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) after failing a drug test in October.

His Bellator 300 win over Brent Primus was changed to a no contest and Nurmagomedov fights for the first time since then, defending his belt against Alexandr Shabliy.

"It was medication," Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie about the failed test.

"If it were a steroid, they have to say, 'this was a steroid'. And they have to give me more time for suspension. They have to give me like one year, two years, and we have examples from other guys."

Details of Nurmagomedov's failed test were never released publicly, and he was not stripped of the Bellator lightweight title.

At the time, Bellator did not do its own drug test programme, instead relying on different State Commissions in the US to conduct drug testing around events.

Since then the Professional Fighters League (PFL) has purchased Bellator and joined forces with the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) in 2023 for year-round testing.

The Dagestani fighter, cousin of UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, remains undefeated with 17 wins on his record.

Nurmagomedov was heavily criticised by the likes of Primus in the wake of the suspension, but says he "doesn't care" about his critics.

"I didn't do nothing. I know who I am. I never did something like steroids or something like that," he said.

"People only talk about this because they cannot win [against] us, and they have to say something, and they chose this way - 'Oh, this guy does steroids'.

"OK, guys. You can talk whatever you want, but who cares?"

Nurmagomedov competes on the PFL's continuing Bellator Champion Series, which began after the MMA promotions merged.