It will be a while before Blagoy
Ivanov is able to return to active competition.
The
Professional Fighters League heavyweight has been suspended for
22 months after testing positive for an anabolic agent in an
out-of-competition sample collected on March 28, USADA announced on Wednesday. According to a
statement from the anti-doping body, the “urine sample was analyzed
using a specialized test that differentiates between anabolic
androgenic steroids naturally produced by the body and prohibited
anabolic agents of external origin.”
Ivanov received a reduction to his sanction for his “full and
complete cooperation.” The soon to be 38-year-old Bulgarian will be
eligible to return in January 2026.
A former
World Series of Fighting who made his PFL debut in 2017, Ivanov
returned to the organization on April 4, when he suffered a
unanimous decision defeat to Sergey
Bilostenniy at PFL 1. Ivanov has lost three straight bouts
dating back to February 2023.
Ivanov has compiled a 19-7-1 career record while competing for PFL,
the
UFC, WSOF and Bellator
MMA. He owns notable victories over the likes of Marcos
Rogerio de Lima, Tai
Tuivasa, Ben Rothwell
and Shawn
Jordan.