PFL champion Rob Wilkinson releases statement following PED suspension

10 PFL athletes have been flagged and suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission following three events in the state. One of those athletes is 2022 champion Rob Wilkinson, who won the title when he defeated Omari Akhmedov in November of that year.

Now Wilkinson has released a statement admitting fault and promising to come back stronger.

"Firstly, I would like to thank you for your support over my career and I want to provide you all with an explanation for my nonattendance in the 2023 PFL season," he wrote. "After my last fight on April 1st, I failed an in-competition drug test, which has resulted in my suspension for the rest of the 2023 PFL season."

"I have and will continue to reflect on all the reasons that led me down this path, but regardless of these reasons, I am extremely disappointed in myself. I want to emphasize that I wholeheartedly accept full responsibility for the choices I have made and the consequences that have come with it," he continued.

Just this week the NSAC handed Wilkinson a nine month suspension and fined him $8,321 for elevated t/e ratio resulting from the androgynous origin of testosterone.

He defeated Thiago Santos to start the season in Vegas but Santos was also flagged for a PED. Wilksonson's win was overturned.

"To my family, friends, team, fans, and the PFL, I’ve let you down and for that I am sorry," he said. "All I can do now is learn and grow from my mistakes, as I’ve always tried to do. I will take this time to improve my mentality and skill set and will be back better than ever. Through every set back, is an opportunity for a stronger come back."

PFL 6, the final event of the regular season takes place on Friday in Atlanta, GA.