Kiamran Nabati insists he was “unaware” that medications and dietary supplements he took for injury recovery contained banned substances, after being given a one-year doping suspension by ONE Championship.
The Bangkok Post reported on Wednesday both Russia’s Nabati and his Thai opponent Ferrari Fairtex had tested positive after a January 31 fight at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.
The 30-year-old Nabati’s first-round KO in their bantamweight Muay Thai bout at ONE Friday Fights 95 has also been overturned to a no contest.
“In light of the recent information, I would like to clarify the situation. I have never sought to gain an unfair advantage,” Nabati said to the Bangkok Post in a statement.
“Nobody knows the other side, that I was surgically operated [on] five times over the past few years.
“In my recent fights, I broke my arms. To stay in shape and continue competing, I underwent recovery and rehabilitation under the supervision of doctors and physiotherapists. Due to objective reasons, I took medications and dietary supplements.
“Unfortunately, I was unaware that they were on the list of prohibited substances – this is my mistake, and I am ready to take responsibility for it. I want to emphasise that I did not use them to gain an advantage in the fight.”
Nabati – who is ranked No 4 in ONE’s bantamweight Muay Thai division – tested positive for drostanolone, modafinil, and meldonium. All three substances are prohibited per the regulations of the World Anti Doping Agency, which are used by the ONE Anti-Doping Programme.
The 27-year-old Ferrari was handed a shorter ban of three months, after testing positive for heptaminol and octodrine, which were deemed to be less serious offences.
Their in-competition samples were collected immediately after the fight at Lumpinee, and then sent for testing by International Doping Tests & Management (IDTM) – which has been ONE’s anti-doping partner since August 2022.
“I'm not surprised that both my opponent and I were subjected to a random test. However, I will not judge anyone or make excuses,” Nabati added.
“It's not in my concept to ask you to check everyone, but everyone knows everything. I think that I have already suffered the punishment of being deprived of a bonus.”
Nabati, who was handed a six-year doping ban by world governing body IFMA in 2017, earned a US$100,000 ONE Championship contract in June 2024 after a first-round knockout of Suablack made it three straight wins on ONE Friday Fights.
He went on to beat former champion Nong-O Hama by decision last September, putting him on the verge of a title shot – which he still hopes to earn.
“The ONE Championship title is what I live for, what I strive for. And I promise everyone that I will claim it in a fair fight,” Nabati added.
“I want to tell all my fans this year, I will make the most of my time – I will train others and improve my own skills. This time will pass very quickly. See you soon.”
Nabati, who trains out of Phuket Fight Club, was booked to face Nabil Anane at ONE 170 in January, before being bumped from the Impact Arena card when champ Superlek suffered an injury.
Nabil was drafted in to face Superlek’s original opponent, Nico Carrillo, for the interim title, with Nabati the odd man out. His fight against Ferrari was then booked for a week after ONE 170 in Bangkok.
The Bangkok Post reported on Wednesday both Russia’s Nabati and his Thai opponent Ferrari Fairtex had tested positive after a January 31 fight at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.
The 30-year-old Nabati’s first-round KO in their bantamweight Muay Thai bout at ONE Friday Fights 95 has also been overturned to a no contest.
“In light of the recent information, I would like to clarify the situation. I have never sought to gain an unfair advantage,” Nabati said to the Bangkok Post in a statement.
“Nobody knows the other side, that I was surgically operated [on] five times over the past few years.
“In my recent fights, I broke my arms. To stay in shape and continue competing, I underwent recovery and rehabilitation under the supervision of doctors and physiotherapists. Due to objective reasons, I took medications and dietary supplements.
“Unfortunately, I was unaware that they were on the list of prohibited substances – this is my mistake, and I am ready to take responsibility for it. I want to emphasise that I did not use them to gain an advantage in the fight.”
Nabati – who is ranked No 4 in ONE’s bantamweight Muay Thai division – tested positive for drostanolone, modafinil, and meldonium. All three substances are prohibited per the regulations of the World Anti Doping Agency, which are used by the ONE Anti-Doping Programme.
The 27-year-old Ferrari was handed a shorter ban of three months, after testing positive for heptaminol and octodrine, which were deemed to be less serious offences.
Their in-competition samples were collected immediately after the fight at Lumpinee, and then sent for testing by International Doping Tests & Management (IDTM) – which has been ONE’s anti-doping partner since August 2022.
“I'm not surprised that both my opponent and I were subjected to a random test. However, I will not judge anyone or make excuses,” Nabati added.
“It's not in my concept to ask you to check everyone, but everyone knows everything. I think that I have already suffered the punishment of being deprived of a bonus.”
Nabati, who was handed a six-year doping ban by world governing body IFMA in 2017, earned a US$100,000 ONE Championship contract in June 2024 after a first-round knockout of Suablack made it three straight wins on ONE Friday Fights.
He went on to beat former champion Nong-O Hama by decision last September, putting him on the verge of a title shot – which he still hopes to earn.
“The ONE Championship title is what I live for, what I strive for. And I promise everyone that I will claim it in a fair fight,” Nabati added.
“I want to tell all my fans this year, I will make the most of my time – I will train others and improve my own skills. This time will pass very quickly. See you soon.”
Nabati, who trains out of Phuket Fight Club, was booked to face Nabil Anane at ONE 170 in January, before being bumped from the Impact Arena card when champ Superlek suffered an injury.
Nabil was drafted in to face Superlek’s original opponent, Nico Carrillo, for the interim title, with Nabati the odd man out. His fight against Ferrari was then booked for a week after ONE 170 in Bangkok.
