Updated

Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jul 17

UFC's Volkan Oezdemir Tests Positive for EPO in 2 Drug Tests, Drawing 16-Month Ban

Updated

Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jul 17

UFC's Volkan Oezdemir Tests Positive for EPO in 2 Drug Tests, Drawing 16-Month Ban

Q: A free injection sidelined a UFC star. Will the pharmacist who gave it face justice?

There is no public evidence yet that the Swiss pharmacist has been charged or punished, but the case has moved beyond sport and into law enforcement. Oezdemir says a Swiss healthcare professional — described in some reporting as a pharmacist — recommended and supplied EPO for free while he was recovering from an ankle injury, allegedly telling him it would speed recovery and be undetectable. Oezdemir admitted he injected it himself and later tested positive in out-of-competition urine and blood samples collected on Feb. 16 and March 5, 2026. What is clear is that Swiss authorities are now involved. After Combat Sports Anti-Doping investigated the case, WADA connected the matter to Swiss law enforcement. Oezdemir says he was interviewed and handed over the same evidence and information he gave to CSAD. That means the alleged supplier is at least exposed to potential criminal or professional scrutiny. Whether that becomes “justice” depends on what Swiss investigators can prove. Key questions will be whether the person actually supplied EPO, whether it was done without a valid medical basis, whether any laws governing prescription drugs were broken, and whether there was fraud or misconduct in claiming the drug was undetectable. Separate from criminal liability, a pharmacist could also face disciplinary action from Swiss professional or health regulators. For now, the only confirmed sanction is Oezdemir’s 16-month ban. The pharmacist’s legal fate remains unresolved.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jul 17

Volkan Oezdemir returned positive EPO results in both urine and blood samples collected out of competition on Feb. 16 and March 5 in Le Mouret, Switzerland, UFC said.
The 36-year-old light heavyweight admitted the decision was his, called it "the biggest mistake of my life," and said he immediately disclosed everything to UFC and Combat Sports Anti-Doping after being informed on March 5.
CSAD ruled Oezdemir ineligible until June 17, 2027 — a 16-month suspension that sidelines the former title challenger after his knockout win over Alonzo Menifield last fall in Doha.
Oezdemir, ranked No. 8 at 205 pounds with a 21-8 record, is best known for challenging Daniel Cormier for the UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 220 in 2018.