Shamil Zavurov, representative of UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev's team, commented on the statement of American Bobby Green, who accused the Russian of using steroids.
When Khabib had a headache, he didn't even take any extra pills - the same goes for Islam. Any headache pill or painkiller of any kind - they sent it to the manager and only after his agreement with the UFC they could take it. You spend your whole life working towards it, and then they say you're not a clean fighter. So it's not even close to anything like that. The guys are monitoring it very closely to make sure there's nothing in their system, even by accident. I think Islam's fighting was a level above, and he just didn't know what to do, that's why he says such things.
Shamil Zavurov quoted by RB Sport
Makhachev had a fight against Green in February of this year as part of the UFC Fight Night 202 tournament. Islam won that fight in the first round via technical knockout.
Makhachev won the promotion's lightweight championship belt at UFC 280 in October of this year. That time he won by choking in the second round over Brazilian Charles Oliveira.
Makhachev will make his first title defense against UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski of Australia at UFC 284, on February 12 in Perth, Australia.