Heavyweight Carlos Felipe released from UFC amid NAC suspension

Carlos Felipe is no longer a UFC athlete.

The heavyweight fighter has been released from the UFC amid his Nevada Athletic Commission suspension. MMA Junkie confirmed the news following an initial report from MMA Fighting on Tuesday.

Felipe (11-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) was given an 18-month suspension by NAC in January after testing positive for boldenone, an anabolic steroid, following his October fight with Andrei Arlovski at UFC Fight Night 195, which the Brazilian lost via decision. Felipe is eligible to return to action on April 16, 2023.

This wasn’t the first time Felipe was sanctioned due to a failed drug test. He was previously suspended for two years in 2017 by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency after testing positive for metabolites of stanozolol, a steroid, prior to his planned promotional debut.

Felipe made his debut with the UFC in 2020. The 27-year-old competed five times under the promotion. He lost his debut vis decision against Sergey Spivak and then won three straight before losing to Arlovski last October.