Rob Wilkinson Among Seven PFL Athletes Punished for Failed Drug Tests

The fallout from the litany of failed drug tests during Professional Fighters League’s first leg of the regular season continued at a Nevada State Athletic Commission meeting on Tuesday.

Defending light heavyweight champion Rob Wilkinson was one of seven fighters who received sanctions from the NSAC. Wilkinson, who defeated ex-UFC title challenger Thiago Santos via unanimous decision in the PFL 1 main event on April 1, tested positive for an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio resulting from the androgynous origin of testosterone in relation to that bout. As a result, he was suspended nine months and fined $7,500 along with $821 in legal feels. Additionally, Wilkinson’s victory was overturned to a no contest.

Santos, one of the organization’s high-profile free agent signings, did not emerge unscathed. “Marreta” tested positive for clomiphene, an estrogen receptor module, in relation to the bout and was suspended six months and fined $12,500 along with $407.50 in legal fees.

Meanwhile, Rizvan Kuniev tested positive for the following after his unanimous decision win over Renan Ferreira at PFL 2 on April 7: drostanolone, methenolone, boldenone and 19-norandrosterone. Kuniev has been suspended for one year and fined $9,000 along with $821 in fees. His victory was also overturned to a no contest.

Will Fleury tested positive for drostanolone in relation to a unanimous decision victory against Krzysztof Jotko at PFL 1 on April 1. The Irish light heavyweight has been suspended nine months and fined $2,250 along with $821 in fees. His victory was overturned to a no contest.

Three others who were not victorious at recent PFL events also received punishment on Monday.

Daniel Torres test positive for drostanolone and amphetamine in relation to a loss to Alejandro Flores at PFL 1 on April 1 and was suspended nine months and fined $2,500 along with $326 fees. The result of the bout was overturned to no contest due to Flores failing a drug test and receiving sanctions at a previous NSAC meeting.

Mohammad Fakhreddine tested positive for stanozolol, dronastalone and GW1516 in relation to a loss to Marthin Hamlet at PFL 1 on April 1 and was suspended one year and fined $6,000 along with $407.50 in fees.

Cezar Ferreira test positive for clomiphene and androstanolone in relation to a loss to Denis Goltsov at PFL 3 on April 14 and was suspended nine months and fined $3,000 along with $489 in fees.

All of the aforementioned fighters have been removed from the 2023 PFL season.