VIEIRA SUSPENDED Six Months After CYBORG Fight POSITIVE Test

Ketlen Vieira tested positive for a banned steroidal substance after facing Cris Cyborg in Tampa, and her suspension runs from the fight date.

Ketlen Vieira has been suspended for six months after a positive test linked to her fight with Cris Cyborg.

A regulator told Sherdog that Vieira's A and B samples gave the same adverse finding. The substance was described as steroidal and banned.

Why It Matters Now

The fight was on August 22 in Tampa, Florida. It was first set as a defense of Cyborg's PFL women's featherweight title.

Vieira missed weight by more than seven pounds. The bout then became a non-title contest at 153 pounds, and Cyborg won.

Now the result carries a second stain. A big weight miss is bad enough on its own. A positive test makes the whole night look worse.

"I believe clean sport deserves strong enforcement." — Cris Cyborg

What The Regulator Said

Mike Mazzulli leads the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation. He confirmed the finding to Sherdog.

He did not name the banned substance. He said the six-month suspension is retroactive to the date of the fight.

Vieira had first been notified and provisionally suspended. She then asked for her B sample to be tested, and it matched.

Cyborg's Position

Cyborg made championship weight for the fight. She still agreed to face a much heavier opponent to save the main event.

She thanked the testing team in her response. She also said she respects Vieira and does not want to attack her personally.

Representatives for Vieira, the PFL, and the Florida commission did not respond to requests for comment in the report.

What Comes Next

Vieira went 10-5 in the UFC before she left the promotion. This PFL title chance was her big fresh start.

That start is now on hold for six months. When she returns, will anyone talk about the fight first, or only about the test?