Cris Cyborg (left) confronted several disadvantages againstKetlen Vieira at PFL Tampa. | 📷: PFL MMA
Nearly two months after her thirtieth combined martial arts victory,CrisCyborg considers the circumstances surrounding her Aug. 22 boutwith fellow Brazilian KetlenVieira in Tampa, Fla., to be “extremely unusual.”
Vieira missed weight by more than seven kilos, turning the finalfight of Cyborg’s Professional Fighters League contract into a non-titlecontest.
Those circumstances now embrace a constructive check for a steroidalsubstance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, according to MikeMazzulli, director of the Mohegan Tribe Department of AthleticRegulation.
Ketlen Vieira missed weight by more than seven kilos earlier thanCris Cyborg bout; regulator confirms banned steroidal substance inA and B samples
Mazzulli informed Sherdog.com that evaluation of Vieira’s A and B samplesfrom her in-competition assortment returned the same adverseanalytical discovering.
Mazzulli declined to determine the banned substance but said Vieirareceived a six-month suspension retroactive to the date of thefight.
“Thank you to Mike Mazzulli and everyone involved in maintaining aserious testing program,” Cyborg said. “I believe clean sportdeserves strong enforcement.”
Vieira was notified of the constructive check and provisionallysuspended pending the outcomes of her requested “B” sampleanalysis.
The Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation changed theUnited States Anti-Doping Agency as the Professional FightersLeague’s anti-doping associate in 2025. It beforehand oversawBellatorMMA‘s drug-testing program.
Representatives for Vieira, the PFL and the Florida AthleticFee, which regulated the occasion, did not reply to requestsfor remark.
The bout was initially scheduled as the first protection of Cyborg’sPFL ladies’s featherweight title. The 41-year-old, who won the beltby beating Australian SaraCollins late last 12 months, confronted a challenger who had spent nearlya decade in the UFC.
Vieira went 10-5 in the Octagon, alternating wins and losses overher remaining 4 years with the promotion. Her contract ended after avictory in May, and the UFC opted against re-signing her.
Three months after a resolution win over JacquelineCavalcanti in her remaining UFC look, Vieira was set tochallenge Cyborg for the PFL belt in Florida.
But Vieira missed weight, and Cyborg, who made championship weight,salvaged the major occasion by agreeing to a non-title contest at 153pounds.
“I still accepted the fight and stepped into the cage knowing Iwould be giving up a significant physical advantage,” Cyborgsaid.
Vieira informed MMAFighting.com that extreme kidney and abdomen painbefore weigh-ins prevented her from reaching the featherweightlimit.
“Ketlen, I respect you,” Cyborg said. “I know what it takes to stepinto that cage. I wish you nothing but success moving forward.
“I know fighters can face troublesome circumstances during a fightcamp. I have no curiosity in attacking her personally.”
After 5 rounds against an opponent she described as noticeablystrong, the Strikeforce,Invicta, Ultimate Fighting Championship, Bellator and PFL champion wasproud of her efficiency — enough to rethink retirement.
Unbeaten for almost eight years since shedding the UFC featherweighttitle to AmandaNunes, Cyborg intends to struggle twice more in MMA and once inboxing.
The PFL at present retains the proper to match any contract Cyborgsigns. When that period expires, she can negotiate as anunrestricted free agent.
“My profession has not been excellent, and I never tried to disguise from mypast,” Cyborg said. “In 2011, I had a constructive check for a bannedsubstance, served my suspension, accepted duty for whatwas in my physique, and made main adjustments to the means I managed my teamand dietary supplements. Since then, I have competed under the mostrigorous testing applications in MMA, including testing overseen byMike Mazzulli and I have continued to cross those assessments.
“That is why I believe strict, independent testing is important. Itprotects the fighters, the sport and the legacy we work our entirelives to build.”
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