Istela Nunes out of UFC Mexico City with anti-doping violation

Angela Hill needs a new opponent for UFC Mexico City on Sept. 21 after Istela Nunes was removed from the card due to a failed drug test, sources confirmed to MMA Fighting following a report by Combate.

Nunes (7-1, 1 no contest), who fought under the ONE Championship banner most of her MMA career, parted ways with the Asian promotion this year to sign with the UFC. It’s still unclear what Nunes tested positive for.

The American Top Team fighter, who suffered her only defeat by the hands of then-ONE champion Angela Lee in May 2017, last fought in July 2018, when she scored a decision win over Gina Iniong in China.

Nunes is the fourth Brazilian fighter to test positive over the last two months in the UFC after Melissa Gatto (here), Bruno Silva (here) and Giacomo Lemos (here). Contender Series winner Antonio Trocoli, who earned a deal with his win, failed a drug test conducted by the Nevada Athletic Commission and was cut from the UFC.

Hill (9-7), who already fought three times in 2019, is looking to get back on track after a decision loss to Xiaonan Yan just two months after her win over Jodie Esquibel in April. The former Invicta FC strawweight champion won three of eight since returning to the UFC in 2017.

UFC Mexico City is scheduled for Arena Ciudad de Mexico and features Yair Rodriguez vs. Jeremy Stephens in the main event.