Bantamweight Khalid Taha suspended one year after failing UFC 243 drug test

The UFC’s anti-doping partner today announced bantamweight Khalid Taha accepted a one-year suspension after failing a drug test in connection with UFC 243.

Taha, 27, failed an in-competition drug test after a winning bout against Bruno Silva, coming up positive for the banned diuretic furosemide, according to a press release issued on Monday by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). His suspension is retroactive to the date of the Oct. 6 pay-per-view event in Australia, meaning he’ll be eligible to compete on Oct. 7, 2020.

The suspension is the maximum time allowed for first-time offenders who test positive for substance in the specified substance class of PEDs under the UFC’s anti-doping program.

Taha missed weight for his bout with Silva, coming in one pound over the 136-pound mark allowed for non-title bantamweight fights. He won the bout in the third round with an arm-triangle submission. The event was regulated by the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Board of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia, which hosted the pay-per-view event. Per USADA’s rules, it’s up to the commission or the UFC to decide whether Taha’s win stands.

Prior the positive drug test, Taha had earned a 1-1 Octagon record. The fight with Silva originally was scheduled for UFC 242.