Sports · Combat Sports · 2 hrs ago
Ketlen Vieira receives six-month suspension after positive drug test
Ketlen Vieira has received a six-month suspension after tests found a banned steroidal substance in samples collected during her PFL fight with Cris Cyborg.
The Brazilian fighter faced Cyborg in Tampa, Florida, on August 22, in a bout that was changed to a non-title contest after Vieira missed weight.
The Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation, which handles the PFL’s drug testing, said both her A and B samples showed the same finding.
Vieira said she took medication to treat a knee injury after leaving the UFC and stopped when the PFL offered her a contract.
She said she believed enough time had passed for the medication not to affect a test, and denied intending to break the rules.
The suspension runs for six months from the date of the fight, according to the regulator.
Vieira said she is focusing on her health and knee as she prepares for her next appearance.
Ketlen Vieira received a six-month suspension after tests found a banned steroidal substance in samples collected during her PFL fight with Cris Cyborg.
The suspension is retroactive to the date of the fight, Aug. 22, according to the regulator.
Vieira said she had taken medication while treating a knee injury and stopped taking it after learning the PFL had signed her.
Cyborg said she believed clean sport deserved strong enforcement, while also saying she had no interest in attacking Vieira personally.
Vieira missed weight for the bout, which was changed to a non-title contest.
- Who
- Ketlen Vieira, a Brazilian mixed martial artist, was suspended by the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation.
- What
- She received a six-month suspension after A and B samples tested positive for a banned steroidal substance.
- When
- The suspension was reported on Oct. 13, 2026, and was retroactive to Aug. 22, the date of the fight.
- Where
- The test followed Vieira’s PFL bout with Cris Cyborg in Tampa, Florida.
- Why
- Vieira said she took medication while treating a knee injury. The regulator did not identify the substance.
Ketlen Vieira
Cris Cyborg
Test result and intent
Ketlen Vieira
Vieira said she took medication to treat a knee injury and that there was no intent to violate rules.
Cris Cyborg
Cyborg said clean sport deserved strong enforcement, but said she had no interest in attacking Vieira personally.
Vieira said she and her team focused on treating her knee while she had no active contract.
Vieira fought Cris Cyborg in Tampa in a non-title contest after missing weight.
Vieira was notified of a positive test and provisionally suspended while her requested B-sample analysis was pending.
Sherdog reported that Vieira received a six-month suspension retroactive to the date of the fight.
- Suspension
- Six months, retroactive to Aug. 22
- Test samples
- A and B samples showed the same adverse analytical finding
- Banned substance
- Steroidal substance; regulator did not identify it
- Fight
- Vieira vs. Cris Cyborg, PFL Tampa
- Missed weight
- Vieira weighed 152.2 pounds for a bout scheduled at 145 pounds
3 sources
What people are saying
Thank you to Mike Mazzulli and everyone involved in maintaining a serious testing program
I believe clean sport deserves strong enforcement.
My team and I took advantage of the fact that I had no active contract and focused heavily on treating my knee
Since there was no intent to violate any rules on our part, the PFL decided to give me a six-month period to ensure everything is in order before my next fight.