Khabib Nurmagomedov
Tavares next faced the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov on January 19, 2013 at . He lost the fight via knockout early in the first round. Following his loss to Nurmagomedov, it was announced that Tavares had tested positive for the banned substance drostanolone during his post-fight drug test and, subsequently, was suspended for nine months retroactive to January 19.