Despite over 200 positive tests for Meldonium since January 1, 2016, many athletes continue to contest the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) decision to ban the substance. The latest to offer his opinion on the ongoing scandal is Fedor Emelianenko, who believes Meldonium is beneficial for athletes to cope with the physical strain from their training.

“Mildronat has a cumulative effect,” Emelianenko told the media in Stary Oskol (h/t Lenta.ru). “It does not go beyond a few days, as is written on the instructions.”

Meldonium, an anti-ischemic drug that gained infamy when tennis' highest female earner Maria Sharapova tested positive and was provisionally suspended, was many used for issues concerning blood flow. The drug increases blood flow, which improves exercise capacity by carrying more oxygen to the muscles.

The medication, which is manufactured by a single Latvian company named Grindeks. It helps improve exercise capacity in patients, as well as in healthy individuals and athletes. However, it is only available in the Russian Federation or the former Soviet Bloc nations such as Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus and Armenia.

After monitoring the substance in 2015, WADA classified Meldonium as an S4 substance to do with hormones or metabolic modulation, and officially added it to the prohibited list on Jan. 1 2016. The reason behind this was "because of evidence of its use by athletes with the intention of enhancing performance." However, the Meldonium-specific webpage on the Prohibited List website has no information on why the substance was banned.

The former Pride FC champion questioned WADA's decision to ban the substance and considers the scandal to be a manifestation of anti-Russian bias and political opposition from the West.

"You see what is happening in the world and in our country. History with meldonium should just accept it. I think this is an element of anti-Russian policy.”

According to sources who spoke to BloodyElbow under the condition of anonymity, a significant percentage of Russian MMA fighters and boxers continue to use the substance.