Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) announced yesterday that Irina Alekseeva, known as the “Russian Ronda” and from Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia, has accepted a 12-month suspension for breaking the UFC Anti-Doping Policy due to elevated testosterone levels indicating external administration.
The problematic sample was collected on June 21, 2023, when USADA was still in charge of drug testing. According to the UFC, Alekseeva wasn’t informed about her positive test until over four months later, on October 31. By then, she had already competed against Melissa Mullins on October 14, losing by unanimous decision.
“While CSAD was not the independent administrator of the UFC ADP during the above-described time period, CSAD recognizes the importance of promptly reporting results on samples collected in the months and weeks leading up to a UFC event BEFORE the event takes place,” the organization said Friday. “CSAD also recognizes that positive results reported out more than 4-months after a sample is collected, and where the athlete is allowed to compete in a UFC bout in the interim, is unacceptable.”
Irina Alekseeva Suspended for Testosterone Use
The UFC criticized their former anti-doping partner, USADA, for what they called an “unacceptable” handling of the case, which led to significant confusion.
CSAD took into account the unique aspects of Alekseeva’s case, including her cooperation, her passing three drug tests before the failed one, and three more between the test and notification. As a result, they reduced her perceived level of fault. Alekseeva’s suspension will last until October 15, 2024, retroactive to the day after her last fight.
“Under the UFC Anti-Doping Program, CSAD, in its sole discretion may suspend all or any part of ineligibility and other consequences imposed in an individual case in which it has results management authority where the athlete has provided full and complete cooperation, where the athlete did not intend to enhance their performance and has provided full, prompt and truthful responses and information,” CSAD said. “CSAD has determined that Alekseeva’s efforts and the evidence of this case, fits these criteria, and thus CSAD is reducing the sanction against her to 12-months.”
Since the positive test came before a bout in Las Vegas, the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) might also take action. Alekseeva has not yet appeared on the NAC agenda, but this could change at their next meeting on July 30. Alekseeva and her team have remained silent on the matter.
