UFC suspends “Russian Ronda” Irina Alekseeva; suggests USADA failed

Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) has banned “Russian Ronda” Irina Alekseeva for 12 months due to elevated testosterone levels in connection with an exogenous administration.

However, according to the UFC, former anti-doping partner USADA handled the matter in an “unacceptable” manner that led to great confusion.

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

The UFC said Friday that USADA did not inform Alekseeva of her absence until more than four months after the sample was taken. Alekseeva was finally informed on October 31, but not before she faced Melissa Mullins on October 14. Alekseeva lost the fight via unanimous decision.

“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,” the organization said Friday. “CSAD also recognizes that positive results reported more than 4 months after sample collection are unacceptable if the athlete is permitted to participate in a UFC fight in the interim.”

Due to the unusual nature of the case, Alekseeva’s willingness to cooperate, passing three doping tests before failing, and passing three doping tests between failing and notification, CSAD downgraded the fighter’s perceived guilt.

Alekseeva will be suspended until October 15, 2024, one year backdated to the day after her fight. CSAD said that date was chosen because it is the one-year mark of Alekseeva’s actual inactivity, since she competed on October 14, 2023.

“Under the UFC’s anti-doping program, CSAD may, in its sole discretion, suspend all or part of the period of ineligibility and other consequences imposed in an individual case when it has results administration authority, when the athlete has fully and completely cooperated, when the athlete has not intended to improve their performance, and when they have provided complete, prompt and truthful responses and information,” CSAD said. “CSAD has determined that Alekseeva’s efforts and the evidence in this case meet these criteria and therefore CSAD is reducing the penalty against her to 12 months.”

Because the loss came ahead of a fight in Las Vegas, the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) may take further action. Alekseeva has not been on the agenda of the commission’s monthly meetings, but could be on the agenda on July 30, when the next meeting is held.

Neither Alekseeva nor her team have commented publicly on the matter.

MMA Junkie has reached out to USADA for comment. This story will be updated to reflect the comment if received.