The ITA reports that Mixed Martial Arts athlete Nursultan Mendybayev has been sanctioned with a six‑year ban
The International Testing Agency (ITA), on behalf of the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA), reports that athlete Nursultan Mendybayev from Kazakhstan has been sanctioned with a six-year period of ineligibility after testing positive for the prohibited substances drostanolone metabolite and meldonium.
The ITA confirms that Nursultan Mendybayev has been sanctioned with a 6-year period of ineligibility after testing positive for drostanolone metabolite and meldonium following an in-competition doping control conducted by the ITA on 22 June 2025 during the 2025 World MMA Championships in São Paulo, Brazil.
Drostanolone is prohibited under the WADA Prohibited List as S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS). It is classified as a non-specified substance and prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition). Drostanolone is a synthetic anabolic steroid that enhances muscle hardness and strength.
Meldonium is prohibited under the WADA Prohibited List as S4 Hormone and Metabolic Modulators. It is also prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition) and classified as a non-specified substance. Meldonium may enhance sports performance by improving endurance and recovery through increased oxygen uptake and energy metabolism.
When notified of the case, the athlete was provisionally suspended with immediate effect.¹
The ITA issued the decision on behalf of GAMMA in accordance with article 8.3.3 of the GAMMA anti-doping rules.² The period of ineligibility, which was increased to 6 years on the basis of aggravating circumstances,³ is effective from 12 August 2026 until 11 August 2032. Additionally, the athlete’s competitive results from 22 June 2025 onwards have been disqualified.
Parties with a right of appeal may challenge the decision before the appeals division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport in accordance with article 13.2.3 of the GAMMA anti-doping rules.
The ITA will not comment further on this case.
The original press release can be found here:https://ita.sport/news/the-ita-reports-that-mixed-martial-arts-athlete-nursultan-mendybayev-has-been-sanctioned-with-a-six-year-ban/
