Ketlen Vieira Suspended Six Months Following Positive Steroid Test After Fight with Cris Cyborg
Nearly two months after securing her 30th win in mixed martial arts, Cris Cyborg has described the conditions surrounding her August 22 fight against fellow Brazilian Ketlen Vieira in Tampa, Florida, as unusual.
Vieira missed weight by over seven pounds, which turned what was supposed to be a title defense into a non-title bout. Now, the situation has escalated due to Vieira testing positive for a steroidal substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), confirmed by Mike Mazzulli, director of the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation.
- Ketlen Vieira missed weight: More than seven pounds before fight with Cris Cyborg
- Banned substance found: Positive tests on both A and B samples from competition collection
- Suspension: Six months, retroactive to fight date
Mazzulli told Sherdog.com that the analysis of Vieira’s samples revealed the same adverse finding. He did not disclose the exact banned substance but confirmed the six-month suspension applies from the date of the match.
"Thank you to Mike Mazzulli and everyone involved in maintaining a serious testing program," Cyborg said. "I believe clean sport deserves strong enforcement."
Vieira was provisionally suspended upon notification of the positive result, pending the outcome of her requested B sample review.
The Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation took over anti-doping duties for the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in 2025, replacing the United States Anti-Doping Agency. They previously managed Bellator MMA's drug-testing program.
Representatives from Vieira, the PFL, and the Florida Athletic Commission, which regulated the event, have not responded to inquiries about the case.
Background of the Fight and Fighters
The bout was initially set as Cyborg’s first defense of her PFL women’s featherweight title. The 41-year-old champion claimed the belt last year by defeating Australian Sara Collins and faced a challenger with nearly a decade in the UFC.
- Ketlen Vieira’s UFC record: 10 wins and 5 losses
- Final UFC contract: Ended after May victory; UFC chose not to re-sign
- Recent fight before PFL: Victory over Jacqueline Cavalcanti
Despite missing weight, Vieira still fought Cyborg at 153 pounds in a non-title main event after Cyborg made championship weight.
"I still accepted the fight and stepped into the cage knowing I would be giving up a significant physical advantage," Cyborg remarked.
Vieira explained to MMAFighting.com that severe kidney and stomach pain before weigh-ins prevented her from making the featherweight limit.
"Ketlen, I respect you," Cyborg added. "I know what it takes to step into that cage. I wish you nothing but success moving forward. I know fighters can face difficult circumstances during a fight camp. I have no interest in attacking her personally."
After five tough rounds against a noticeably strong opponent, Cyborg, who has held titles across Strikeforce, Invicta, UFC, Bellator, and PFL, felt proud enough of her performance to reconsider retirement plans.
Unbeaten for almost eight years since losing the UFC featherweight belt to Amanda Nunes, Cyborg plans to compete twice more in MMA and take one boxing match.
The PFL still holds matching rights on any contracts she signs, but once that period ends, she will become an unrestricted free agent.
"My career has not been perfect, and I never tried to hide from my past," Cyborg reflected. "In 2011, I had a positive test for a banned substance, served my suspension, accepted responsibility for what was in my body, and made major changes to how I manage my team and supplements. Since then, I have competed under the most rigorous testing programs in MMA, including those overseen by Mike Mazzulli, and I have continued to pass those tests."
She stressed the importance of strict, independent testing to protect fighters, the sport, and the legacy they build over their careers.
