UFC Abu Dhabi just lost a ranked Flyweight.

No. 13-ranked UFC Flyweight prospect Ramazan Temirov was set to face No. 9-ranked Asu Almabayev later this month at UFC Abu Dhabi, but has withdrawn after failing a drug test. Peru’s Jose Ochoa will step in as his replacement.

Temirov addressed the situation on Instagram.

“My fight in Abu Dhabi against Asu Almabayev has been canceled. The reason is that it was our fault. When I arrived in Thailand for training, I developed an infection in my leg, and the wound began to fester,” Temirov explained. As an athlete, I needed urgent treatment. When it was time to take my medication, I consulted my nutritionist, who prescribed me a drug. I took the drug and drank it.

“Three days later, the doping control team came to me and took samples. As it turned out later, the drug contained a prohibited substance. It was my mistake—I didn’t check the medicine properly and didn’t inform the doping agency,” Temirov added. “Now it’s all over, but I’m not giving up hope. I will continue to move forward with pure intentions and confidence in the future. May Allah grant everyone good health and the right path. In this life, only those who are sincere and do not give up will prevail.”
Translation was done using a Russian reporter.

Temirov (2-0) turned heads in his UFC debut when he knocked out CJ Vergara in under three minutes (watch highlights), and then in his second outing, he snapped Charles Johnson’s four-fight winning streak via unanimous decision.

For the current UFC Abu Dhabi fight card and ABC lineup click here.