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USADA clears Makhachev of doping violation

Joe Camporeale / USA TODAY Sports

After testing positive for a banned substance in an out-of-competition test in April, Islam Makhachev has been cleared of any violation by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

According to Shawn Al-Shatti of MMA Fighting, the USADA found Makhachev "without fault or negligence" for the banned substance meldonium.

The 24 year-old was flagged for the failed test the day before he was scheduled to fight Drew Dober at UFC on FOX 19 - he was subsequently pulled from the fight. The USADA lifted Makhachev's provisional suspension in July while it continued its investigation.

Makhachev had been recommended meldonium by his doctor following what the USADA referred to as "radiofrequency ablation procedure for frequent ventricular arrhythmia." The substance was reportedly meant to prevent a potential relapse. He underwent the procedure in December of 2014 and began taking meldonium in November of 2015, but stopped before the new year, when it officially made the World Anti-Doping Agency's banned substance list.

Makhachev is scheduled to fight Chris Wade at UFC Fight Night 94 in September.

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