UFC suspends 'Russian Ronda' Irina Alekseeva for testosterone; indicates USADA bungled handling

Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) has suspended “Russian Ronda” Irina Alekseeva for 12 months for elevated levels of testosterone consistent with exogenous administration.

According to the UFC, however, former anti-doping partner USADA handled the matter in an “unacceptable” manner that resulted in layers of confusion.

The positive drug test sample was collected over one year ago on June 21, 2023, while USADA was still overseeing drug testing.

The UFC said Friday that USADA did not notify Alekseeva of the failure for over four months after the sample was collected. Alekseeva was eventually notified on Oct. 31, but not before she competed against Melissa Mullins on Oct. 14. Alekseeva lost the bout 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.”

Due to the unusual nature of the case, Alekseeva’s cooperation, passing three drug tests before the failure, and passing three drug tests between the failure and notification, CSAD lowered the fighter’s perceived level of fault.

Alekseeva will be suspended until Oct. 15, 2024, one year retroactive to the day after her fight. CSAD said this date was chosen as it is the one-year mark of Alekseeva truly being inactive, as she competed Oct. 14, 2023.

“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 failure came in the lead up to a bout in Las Vegas, the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) may take additional action. Alekseeva has not yet been on the agenda at monthly commission meetings, but could be July 30, when the next one takes place.

Alekseeva nor her team have commented on the matter publicly.

MMA Junkie has reached out to USADA for comment. The story will be updated to reflect comment should it be received.