UFC suspends fighter nicknamed ‘Russian Ronda’ for medication failure, USADA accused of not announcing results until after her next fight

Irina Alekseeva, known as “Russian Ronda,” was suspended for failing a doping test just over a year ago in what may be one of the most confusing suspensions in UFC history.

A statement from the organization this week noted that the positive testosterone doping test sample was originally collected on June 21, 2023, when the UFC’s anti-drug program was still overseen by USADA.

According to the UFC, Alekseeva was not informed of the loss until October 31, four months after the sample was taken. By that time, Alekseeva had already fought another fight, losing to Melissa Mullins on October 14 at UFC Fight Night hosted by Apex.

The UFC has since changed its anti-drug program partner and has now joined Combat Sports Anti Doping (CSAD). CSAD described USADA’s handling of the failed 2023 test as “unacceptable”.

“Although CSAD was not the independent administrator of the UFC ADP during the time period described above, CSAD recognizes the importance of timely reporting of results from samples collected in the months and weeks prior to a UFC event, BEFORE the event takes place. CSAD also recognizes that positive results reported more than 4 months after sample collection, where the athlete is permitted to participate in a UFC fight in the interim, are unacceptable.”

According to UFC, Irina Alekseeva was retroactively suspended one year after “unacceptable” dealings with USADA

Alekseeva passed three doping tests before the failure and three doping tests between the failure and notification. Due to this unique situation, CSAD lowered the fighter’s perceived culpability.

Alekseeva’s suspension is retroactive to October 15, 2023, as that is the first day after her last fight. She will be eligible to compete again on October 15, 2024.

CSAD released a statement saying: “Under the UFC Anti-Doping Program, CSAD may, in its sole discretion, lift all or part of the period of Ineligibility or other Consequences imposed in an individual case if it has results administration authority and the athlete has fully cooperated, had no intent to improve his or her performance, and provided complete, prompt and truthful responses and information.

“CSAD has determined that Alekseeva’s efforts and the evidence in this case meet these criteria and therefore CSAD is reducing the sentence against her to 12 months.”