USADA: UFC newcomer Istela Nunes accepts two-year sanction for steroid metabolites

Brazilian strawweight Istela Nunes won’t be making her UFC debut any time soon.

The ONE Championship veteran accepted a two-year suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency following a positive drug test that canceled her octagon debut at UFC Mexico City, according to a release from USADA.

Nunes, 27, came up positive for multiple stanozolol metabolites, 16β-hydroxystanozolol and 3’-hydroxystanozolol, following an out-of-competition urine test on July 22. Her suspension is retroactive to that date, meaning she’ll be eligible to compete on July 22, 2021.

Stanozolol is a well-known steroid that’s come up in several anti-doping cases. It’s classified as a non-specific substance by USADA and carries a two-year suspension for first-time offenders.

Nunes was scheduled to fight Angela Hill on the Sept. 21 fight card at Mexico City Arena when the positive drug test scratched her; Hill went on to fight Ariane Carnelossi and win via third-round TKO. Nunes was one of four Brazilian fighters to fail drug tests over a period of two months this summer.

A product of American Top Team, Nunes arrived in the promotion with a 6-1 professional record and a notable loss to ONE atomweight champ Angela Lee.