Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) suspended “Russian Round” Irina Alekseeva for 12 months for elevated testosterone levels consistent with exogenous administration.
According to the UFC, however, former anti-doping partner USADA handled the matter in an “unacceptable” way that resulted in layers of confusion.
The positive drug test sample was collected over a year ago, on June 21, 2023, while USADA was still overseeing drug testing.
The UFC said on Friday that USADA did not notify Alekseeva of the failure for more than four months after the sample was collected. Alekseeva was eventually notified on October 31st, but not before competing against Melissa Mullins on October 14th. Alekseeva lost the fight via unanimous decision.
“Although CSAD was not the independent administrator of the UFC ADP during the period described above, CSAD recognizes the importance of promptly reporting the results of samples collected in the months and weeks leading up 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 collecting a sample, and where the athlete may compete in a UFC fight in the interim, are unacceptable.”
Due to the unusual nature of the case, Alekseeva’s cooperation, passing three drug tests before failure and undergoing three drug tests between failure and notification, the CSAD lowered the fighter’s perceived level of guilt.
Alekseeva will be suspended until October 15, 2024, one year retroactive to the day after the fight. CSAD said this date was chosen because it marks the one year mark when Alekseeva is actually inactive, as she competed on October 14, 2023.
“Under the UFC Anti-Doping Program, CSAD, at its sole discretion, may suspend all or part of the ineligibility and other consequences imposed in an individual case in which it has results management authority, where the athlete has provided full and complete cooperation , where the athlete did not intend to improve his performance and provided complete, quick and truthful answers and information”, stated the CSAD. “CSAD has determined that Alekseeva’s efforts and evidence in this case meet these criteria and therefore CSAD is reducing the sanction against her to 12 months.”
Because the failure occurred before a fight in Las Vegas, the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) may take additional action. Alekseeva has not yet been on the agenda for the commission’s monthly meetings, but it could be on July 30, when the next one will take place.
Alekseeva nor her team have publicly commented on the matter.
MMA Junkie has reached out to USADA for comment. The story will be updated to reflect comments if they are received.
