Fight Sports activities Anti-Doping (CSAD) has suspended “Russian Ronda” Irina Alekseeva for 12 months for elevated ranges of testosterone per exogenous administration.
In line with the UFC, nonetheless, former anti-doping accomplice USADA dealt with the matter in an “unacceptable” method that resulted in layers of confusion.
The constructive drug check pattern was collected over one 12 months in the past on June 21, 2023, whereas USADA was nonetheless overseeing drug testing.
The UFC stated Friday that USADA didn’t notify Alekseeva of the failure for over 4 months after the pattern was collected. Alekseeva was finally notified on Oct. 31, however not earlier than she competed towards Melissa Mullins on Oct. 14. Alekseeva misplaced the bout by unanimous choice.
“Whereas CSAD was not the unbiased administrator of the UFC ADP through the above-described time interval, CSAD acknowledges the significance of promptly reporting outcomes on samples collected within the months and weeks main as much as a UFC occasion BEFORE the occasion takes place,” the group stated Friday. “CSAD additionally acknowledges that constructive outcomes reported out greater than 4-months after a pattern is collected, and the place the athlete is allowed to compete in a UFC bout within the interim, is unacceptable.”
As a result of uncommon nature of the case, Alekseeva’s cooperation, passing three drug assessments earlier than the failure, and passing three drug assessments between the failure and notification, CSAD lowered the fighter’s perceived degree of fault.
Alekseeva will probably be suspended till Oct. 15, 2024, one 12 months retroactive to the day after her battle. CSAD stated this date was chosen as it’s the one-year mark of Alekseeva really being inactive, as she competed Oct. 14, 2023.
“Below the UFC Anti-Doping Program, CSAD, in its sole discretion might droop all or any a part of ineligibility and different penalties imposed in a person case through which it has outcomes administration authority the place the athlete has supplied full and full cooperation, the place the athlete didn’t intend to reinforce their efficiency and has supplied full, immediate and truthful responses and knowledge,” CSAD stated. “CSAD has decided that Alekseeva’s efforts and the proof of this case, matches these standards, and thus CSAD is decreasing the sanction towards her to 12-months.”
Because the failure got here within the lead as much as a bout in Las Vegas, the Nevada Athletic Fee (NAC) might take further motion. Alekseeva has not but been on the agenda at month-to-month fee conferences, however may very well be July 30, when the following one takes place.
Alekseeva nor her staff have commented on the matter publicly.
MMA Junkie has reached out to USADA for remark. The story will probably be up to date to replicate remark ought to it’s acquired.
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