Danylo Voievodkin`s debut in the UFC will be delayed.
The UFC announced on Thursday that Voievodkin has accepted a 24-month suspension from the Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) for violating the UFC`s anti-doping policy. Without any mitigating factors, Voievodkin is prohibited from competing until November 10, 2026.
According to the announcement, Voievodkin tested positive for meldonium, a substance prohibited under the category of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators on the UFC`s list of banned substances. The positive test resulted from an out-of-competition sample taken on October 17 in Vilnius, Lithuania.
According to the USADA website, meldonium is described as an anti-ischemic drug that “may increase endurance, improve rehabilitation following exercise, and enhance activations of the central nervous system.” Meldonium was added to the WADA banned list in 2016 and notably caused tennis star Maria Sharapova`s drug test failure at the Australian Open in 2016.
The 24-year-old undefeated Ukrainian fighter competed on week seven of the most recent season of Contender Series. He defeated Bailey Schoenfelder with a first-round rear-naked choke, earning a UFC contract. CSAD determined that Voievodkin’s meldonium use occurred after his Contender Series fight.
It has been confirmed that following this suspension, Voievodkin has been released from the UFC.
