Movlid Khaybulaev has been embroiled in controversy as of late, and an opponent that the now former PFL 2025 tournament champion faced during his run this year has spoken out. Khaybulaev tested positive for the banned substance recombinant erythropoietin, with this empirical evidence being gathered amid proceedings for his August championship win this Summer.
With how he ended off the 2025 PFL featherweight run, Khaybulaev was initially a two-time PFL champion, but now, with the failed USADA test, he has been stripped of his tournament title distinction. Khaybulaev was also stripped of the physical belt, as well as associated bonuses through his overall tournament effort.