In what will have to go down as one of the most confusing suspensions given out in the history of the UFC, Irina Alekseeva, known as "Russian Ronda," has been suspended for a failed drug test stemming from just over one year ago.
The promotion outlined in a statemen this week that the positive drug test sample for testosterone was originally collected on June 21, 2023, when the UFC's anti-drug program was still being overseen by USADA.
According to the UFC, Alekseeva was not notified of the failure until Oct. 31 — four months after the sample was collected. By that time, Alekseeva had already competed in another fight, losing to Melissa Mullins at the Apex-held UFC Fight Night on Oct. 14.
The UFC has since switched partners of the anti-drug program to Combat Sports Anti Doping (CSAD), who branded USADA's handling of the failed 2023 test "unacceptable."
"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. 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 Retroactively Suspended One Year After "Unacceptable" Handling By USADA, According To UFC
Alekseeva passed three drug tests prior to the failure and passed three drug test in the time between the failure and when she was notified. As a result of this unique situation, CSAD lowered the fighter's perceived fault level.
Alekseeva's suspension is retroactive to Oct. 15, 2023, as that marks the first day following her most recent fight. She will be eligible to return to competition on Oct. 15, 2024.
CSAD released a statement that reads: "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 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."