Recent signing Andrea Lee releases statement on UFC 216 removal

Andrea Lee says she still is “signing a contract with UFC” and plans to make her debut in March or April.

Andrea Lee addressed her UFC 216 removal in a social media post Saturday. Her UFC signing and debut had been announced just three days ago. She had stepped up on short notice to face fellow newcomer Kalindra Faria on Oct. 7, but only a day later, the fight was cancelled.

Lee was not allowed to fight at UFC 216 due to a UFC anti-doping policy rule, which –per USADA’s website – states that fighters with “an established and verifiable history of the use, attempted use or possession of a substance or method that is classified as prohibited at all times” (i.e. past offenders) must undergo six months of testing before stepping into the Octagon. Lee was suspended nine months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after testing positive for diuretics in 2016.

“KGB” released a statement on social media following the news.

“I figured that when I was off my suspension that I wouldn’t have to deal with that anymore, obviously I was wrong,” Lee wrote. “It’s not the UFC’s fault because they didn’t know about this USADA (the UFC’s anti-doping partner) rule.

“I’m still signing a fight contract with UFC, that hasn’t changed, I just have to enroll in this program now so my time can start ticking. Look for me to fight next year the end of March or early April.”

A veteran of Invicta FC, Lee (8-2) is the current women’s flyweight champion in Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA). A winner of four straight, she most recently defended her LFA belt by submission in September.

Per MMAFighting.com’s Thursday report, the UFC is hoping to find Faria a new opponent. Nothing is official at this time, however.

UFC 216 takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and is set to be headlined by Tony Ferguson vs. Kevin Lee for the interim lightweight title. Demetrious Johnson will also look to make history when he puts his flyweight championship up for grabs for the 11th time against Ray Borg in the co-main event.

Andrea Lee says she still is “signing a contract with UFC” and plans to make her debut in March or April.

Andrea Lee addressed her UFC 216 removal in a social media post Saturday. Her UFC signing and debut had been announced just three days ago. She had stepped up on short notice to face fellow newcomer Kalindra Faria on Oct. 7, but only a day later, the fight was cancelled.

Lee was not allowed to fight at UFC 216 due to a UFC anti-doping policy rule, which –per USADA’s website – states that fighters with “an established and verifiable history of the use, attempted use or possession of a substance or method that is classified as prohibited at all times” (i.e. past offenders) must undergo six months of testing before stepping into the Octagon. Lee was suspended nine months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after testing positive for diuretics in 2016.

“KGB” released a statement on social media following the news.

“I figured that when I was off my suspension that I wouldn’t have to deal with that anymore, obviously I was wrong,” Lee wrote. “It’s not the UFC’s fault because they didn’t know about this USADA (the UFC’s anti-doping partner) rule.

“I’m still signing a fight contract with UFC, that hasn’t changed, I just have to enroll in this program now so my time can start ticking. Look for me to fight next year the end of March or early April.”

A veteran of Invicta FC, Lee (8-2) is the current women’s flyweight champion in Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA). A winner of four straight, she most recently defended her LFA belt by submission in September.

Per MMAFighting.com’s Thursday report, the UFC is hoping to find Faria a new opponent. Nothing is official at this time, however.

UFC 216 takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and is set to be headlined by Tony Ferguson vs. Kevin Lee for the interim lightweight title. Demetrious Johnson will also look to make history when he puts his flyweight championship up for grabs for the 11th time against Ray Borg in the co-main event.