PFL Heavyweight Blagoy Ivanov Suspended 22 Months for Failed Drug Test

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.