USADA suspends UFC fighter Zviad Lazishvili 10 months for failed drug test

Former LFA champion Zviad Lazishvili has one UFC fight to his name – and now one drug suspension, as well.

UFC anti-doping partner USADA announced Wednesday the Georgian bantamweight Lazishvili (13-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) has been suspended for 10 months as a result of a positive drug test for the banned substance clomiphene and its metabolites.

“Clomiphene is a Specified Substance in the category of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators and is prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy and UFC Prohibited List,” USADA said.

The flagging stems from two positive tests, one in-competition on Oct. 23 and one out-of-competition on Nov. 5, which means Lazishvili will be eligible to return Aug. 23, 2022.

According to USADA, Lazishvili provided sufficient evidence to prove clomiphene use transpired prior to his short-notice UFC signing, for his Oct. 23 debut (a unanimous decision loss) against Jonathan Martinez at UFC Fight Night 196.

However, fighters are required to declare recent substance use when they enter the USADA testing pool. Clomiphene, Lazishvili failed to disclose. Since he fully cooperated with the investigation process, he received a reduced suspension.

Lazishvili, 30, had not lost prior to his promotional debut. He entered the promotion with nine finishes in 13 wins, including a first-round submission of “TUF” and Dana White’s Contender Series alumnus Ricky Steele to clinch the bantamweight strap at LFA 90.

The sanction handed out by USADA is one month longer than what the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) handed Lazishvili in January. The overseeing commissioning body of the Oct. 23 event, the NAC suspended Lazishvili nine months and fined him a total of $2,126. He also will be required to partake in additional drug testing 30 days, 15 days, and 3 days out from his next bout.

Shortly after his NAC drug test flagging, Lazishvili released a statement via Instagram, which detailed his side of the situation and said he planned to challenge the commission’s decision. The post has since been deleted from his social media, but can be read in the screenshot below (statement translated to English).

Zviad Lazishvili has addressed his recent PED suspension (written in Georgian, translated to English) He says he was diagnosed with a “hormonal imbalance” says he told the doctors of his requirements and they were not followed. Says he wants to appeal the decision pic.twitter.com/JO75GHrTcX

— Amy Kaplan (@PhotoAmy33) January 19, 2022