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The lightweight champion Islam Makhachev's management denies that he took intravenous fluids to rehydrate following the UFC 284 weigh-ins.
Makhachev was making his first defense of his lightweight championship in the main event of the card. The champion was experiencing a difficult time trying to lose weight, Alexander Volkanovski claimed in the run-up. The verdict was close, but Makhachev certainly made the mark and emerged victorious.
However, Dan Hooker used social media the day following Makhachev defeat Volkanovski to allege that the Dagestani fighter had used IVs, which is against the principles laid by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), a longstanding member of the UFC's drug testing system.
Infusions and injections of IV fluids are prohibited by USADA as they can be used to mask the use of performance-enhancing drugs, with the possible exception of participants who had an IV "during hospital admissions, surgical operations, or clinical investigations". The feud ignited by Hooker against Makhachev has garnered a lot of attention in the MMA community, with fans taking sides and speculating about the truth behind the accusations.
Rizvan Magomedov has denied the claims, stating that Makhachev has never used IV therapy, and accused Hooker of being salty and jealous of Makhachev's success. In an interview with MMA Junkie, he said:
“We all know this is completely B.S. The guy is a loser. He’s salty and just looking for attention, and that’s it.”
For now, there is no evidence that Makhachev used an IV; therefore, it is simply speculation. It's also unknown if the USADA or UFC will take a notice of it. The lightweight champion's staff, however, is sure that Makhachev did not apply an IV and that he fought honestly and rehydrated.
It seems somewhat inevitable that a rematch will take place considering that the bout between Makhachev and Volkanovski was intense, fascinating, and is currently the subject of some debate. But the next time around, both guys will probably face new opponents.
The drama between Makhachev and Hooker has certainly added to the excitement surrounding UFC 284, and fans of the sport will undoubtedly be tuning in to see what happens next in this heated rivalry. Only time will tell whether or not Hooker's claims will turn out to be true or not. Quite yet, Hooker has seldom been the type to have a strained connection with any of his rival competitors.