The brother of the former welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, Mohammed Usman has been suspended and slapped with a 30 month ban for intentional testosterone use in September, as per the UFC.
Mohammed Usman admitted to using the banned substance, however, it was revealed after the fact that he made false comments to Combat Sports Anti-Doping. An additional six months was added to his suspension for this fact. The ‘deceptive behaviour’ is explained in the UFCs statement in the following way:
‘While Usman ultimately took responsibility for the above details, he did not do so in a timely fashion and not until CSAD confronted him with evidence they had independently collected during a detailed investigation of his use of these multiple prohibited substances as well as his attempt to deceive CSAD with a false explanation.
Under the UFC ADP, if a UFC athlete uses multiple substances like Usman did and engages in deceptive or obstructive conduct to avoid the adjudication of an Anti-Doping Policy Violation like he did, then aggravating circumstances are determined to exist. While aggravating circumstances can double a standard suspension, because Usman ultimately admitted to the prohibited behavior, CSAD determined that a six-month addition to the standard 2-year suspension for using these substances was appropriate for these aggravating factors.’
The ban has been back-dated to October 9th 2025, meaning he will be eligible for a return on April 9th 2028, when he will be 39.
Mohammed Usman Suspended
The suspension of Mohammed Usman won’t have a huge impact on the heavyweight division. The TUF 30 champion is 4-2 in the UFC and has looked extremely underwhelming since making his debut in 2023.
Despite being one of the physically most scary looking fighters on the roster, Usman has been a decision merchant in his UFC career. Although he began his UFC career with a knockout over Zac Pauga, he then laboured to two straight decisions against Junior Tafa and Jake Collier. He then dropped back to back decision losses to Mick Parkin and Thomas Petersen. He had bounced back with a victory over Hamdy Abdelwahab in one of the worst fights in 2025.
To say that his suspension will impact the heavyweight division is an overstatement.
Kamaru’s Title Shot in Trouble?
The main impact could be on Mohammed Usman’s brother, Kamaru. The latter is seemingly on the brink on a title shot, despite arguably not deserving a shot at the champion, Islam Makhachev. He’s coming off just a single win and hasn’t won two bouts back to back since 2021.
Kamaru’s prime was scary for all welterweights and when he added lethal hands to his elite wrestling, he became the biggest problem at 170lbs. His reign was ended with that headkick from Leon Edwards, and since then, his career spiralled out of the limelight.
Rumours swirled after Makhachev picked up the belt that Usman may be next for the Dagestani champion, but despite reservations from many, this may be another nail in the coffin of Kamaru’s chances at a title shot.
It isn’t a good look for the brother of a potential contender being popped for drug use, especially intentional drug use. Questions will swirl as to whether Kamaru knew about his brother’s cheating and that certainly isn’t a good look for the UFC. Expect them to go a different way with Makhachev’s title defence at welterweight.
