Ketlen Vieira Suspended for Six Months After Positive Steroid Test Following Fight with Cris Cyborg
Almost two months after her 30th win in mixed martial arts, Cris Cyborg finds the conditions around her August 22 bout against fellow Brazilian Ketlen Vieira in Tampa, Florida, to be quite unusual.
Vieira failed to make weight by over seven pounds, turning what was supposed to be a title fight into a non-title match. Now, it has come to light that Vieira tested positive for a steroidal substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, confirmed by Mike Mazzulli, director of the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation.
- Positive test: Both A and B samples showed the same banned substance
- Suspension: Vieira received a six-month ban retroactive to the fight date
Mazzulli did not disclose the specific steroid but confirmed the suspension. Vieira was informed of the adverse findings and placed on provisional suspension while awaiting the B sample confirmation.
Cris Cyborg expressed gratitude towards Mazzulli and the testing program, stating, "I believe clean sport deserves strong enforcement." The Mohegan Tribe Department took over anti-doping duties for the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in 2025, replacing the US Anti-Doping Agency.
The fight had been scheduled as Cyborg's first defense of her PFL women's featherweight title. The 41-year-old champion claimed the belt after defeating Australian Sara Collins late last year. Her opponent, Vieira, brought nearly a decade of UFC experience, holding a 10-5 record there, with alternating wins and losses in her final years. After winning her last UFC fight in May, Vieira was not re-signed by the promotion.
Three months after her UFC finale victory over Jacqueline Cavalcanti, Vieira was set to challenge Cyborg for the PFL featherweight title. Missing weight turned the championship fight into a catchweight bout at 153 pounds, but Cyborg, who made weight, accepted the challenge despite the disadvantage.
"I still accepted the fight and stepped into the cage knowing I would be giving up a significant physical advantage," said Cyborg.
Vieira told MMAFighting.com that severe kidney and stomach pain prior to weigh-ins affected her ability to make weight.
Cyborg said: "Ketlen, I respect you. I know what it takes to step into that cage. I wish you nothing but success moving forward. I understand fighters face difficult challenges during camp and have no interest in attacking her personally."
After five rounds against a noticeably strong opponent, the veteran champion who has held titles in Strikeforce, Invicta, UFC, Bellator, and PFL felt proud of her performance, even reconsidering retirement plans.
Unbeaten for almost eight years since losing the UFC featherweight title to Amanda Nunes, Cyborg plans to fight twice more in MMA and once in boxing. The PFL currently holds matching rights on any new contract she signs. Once that window closes, Cyborg will be free to negotiate elsewhere.
"My career has had flaws, and I never hid from my past," Cyborg said. "In 2011, I tested positive for a banned substance, served my suspension, accepted responsibility, and made big changes in managing my team and supplements. Since then, I've competed under the toughest testing programs, including those led by Mike Mazzulli, and have consistently passed."
She added that strict, independent testing is necessary to protect fighters, the sport, and the legacy they build through their careers.
