UFC flyweight Isabela de Padua accepts two-year USADA sanction for prohibited substance

UFC flyweight Isabela de Padua has accepted a two-year USADA sanction for a prohibited substance.

De Padua (5-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) was flagged for 19-norandrosterone (19-NA), defined as “the main urinary metabolite of nandrolone (19-nortestosterone) and other 19-norsteroids” on two separate occasions: once in-competition on Nov. 16 and once out-of-competition on Dec. 19.

USADA announced the news in a press release Thursday. The release provided additional information about 19-NA:

In accordance with standard practice, the exogenous, or non-natural, origin of the 19-NA was further confirmed by sophisticated carbon isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS) analysis, which can reveal the presence of anabolic agents. In this case, the GC/C/IRMS analysis result was consistent with the exogenous origin of 19-NA. 19-norsteroids, including nandrolone and its precursors, are non-Specified Substances in the class of Anabolic Agents and prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy and UFC Prohibited List.

De Padula’s in-competition test stemmed from her short-notice unanimous decision debut loss to Ariane Lipski at UFC on ESPN+ 22. USADA took particular issue with de Padula’s pre-fight medical forms, which didn’t declare previous use of a prohibited substance.

Upon being added to the UFC Anti-Doping Program, athletes are required to declare all medications and supplements they have used in the previous 12 months. An athlete who declares the prior use of a prohibited substance will not be deemed to have committed a violation but, depending on the substance, may be required to refrain from competition for a period of at least six months and provide at least two negative samples. De Padua did not declare the use of nandrolone, or any 19-norsteroids, on her onboarding declaration forms.

Additionally, USADA stated: “the Comissao Atletica Brasileira de MMA (CABMMA) has recognized USADA’s sanction subject to any additional fines it may impose in accordance with the CABMMA Anti-Doping Policy.”

The 28-year-old fighter will be suspended two years retroactive to her first positive test, making her eligible for reinstatement on Nov. 16, 2021.