Ketlen Vieira suspended six months after positive drug test
The Brazilian tested positive for a banned substance after her PFL debut, adding another setback to a difficult year.
Ketlen Vieira has been suspended for six months after testing positive for a steroidal substance on the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) Prohibited List following her fight against Cris Cyborg at PFL Tampa on Aug. 22. The news was first reported by Sherdog.
The sanction is retroactive to the date of the fight, meaning Vieira will be eligible to compete again on March 22, 2027. According to Mike Mazzulli, director of the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation, both the Brazilian's A and B samples returned the same adverse analytical finding. The specific substance was not disclosed.
Ketlen Vieira Explains Positive Test
Vieira addressed the suspension in a statement to MMA Fighting, explaining that she had been undergoing treatment for a long-standing knee injury after leaving the UFC. The Brazilian said she and her team took advantage of her time as a free agent to pursue medical treatment that had been difficult to manage under the medication restrictions in place while she was competing.
According to Vieira, she stopped taking the medication as soon as she learned of the opportunity to sign with the PFL, but believed the time between stopping the medication and the fight would be enough for the substance to no longer appear in her tests. She maintained that there was no intention to violate anti-doping rules and said the treatment had helped improve her knee.
Ketlen Vieira's Difficult Year Continues
The suspension adds to a challenging period for Vieira. The Brazilian parted ways with the UFC in May despite defeating Jacqueline Cavalcanti by unanimous decision in her final appearance for the promotion. After spending nearly a decade with the UFC, she quickly signed with the PFL and was booked to face Cyborg for the promotion's featherweight title.
However, Vieira missed weight by more than seven pounds, forcing the bout to become a non-title contest. Cyborg went on to win by unanimous decision in their five-round fight.
Cris Cyborg Reacts to Ketlen Vieira's Suspension
Cyborg reacted to Vieira's suspension in an Instagram post, praising the athletic commission for enforcing anti-doping rules. The Brazilian veteran, who tested positive for a banned substance in 2011 and served a suspension, said strict and independent testing is important to protect fighters and the sport.
Cyborg also revisited the circumstances surrounding their August bout, noting that Vieira missed weight by 7.2 pounds but that she accepted the fight regardless. She emphasized that she had no interest in attacking Vieira personally, while highlighting her decision to accept the fight despite the weight discrepancy.
