UFC cuts fighter after she is handed two-year USADA ban

Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images

Female bantamweight Duda Santana tested positive for banned substance LGD-4033 in an out-of-competition test. The career of female bantamweight prospect Duda Santana will be put to a halt due to a …

UFC Fight Night Gustafsson v Smith: Weigh-Ins

Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images

Female bantamweight Duda Santana tested positive for banned substance LGD-4033 in an out-of-competition test.

The career of female bantamweight prospect Duda Santana will be put to a halt due to a failed USADA test.

After only one performance in the Octagon, in which she lost to Bea Malecki via submission, Santana tested positive for selective androgen receptor modulator LGD-4033 during an out-of-competition USADA exam. Santana’s manager, Alex Davis, confirmed the news to MMA Fighting.

Because of the failed test, Santana not only received a two-year suspension from USADA, but was also released from the UFC.

According to Davis, Santana comes from a very poor upbringing and accidentally bought tainted supplements from unreliable sources. Although Davis believes she is innocent, they cannot appeal the case for lack of proof. Unfortunately for them, all that there is left to do is wait out the two-year period, which dates back to February 2020.

“We believe in her innocence, but we have to follow what USADA determines and serve the suspension,” Davis said. “We did not appeal. We tried, but couldn’t find the origin of it because she had thrown out some of her supplements. She’s very talented and she will bounce back from this. We’ll not give up on her.”

Before her loss to Malecki, Duda Santana (3-1) was on a three-fight winning streak on the Brazilian regional circuit. The 23-year-old has two wins via unanimous decision and a TKO victory in her professional record.