Nevada suspends UFC flyweight Carlos Mota two years for failed drug test

UFC flyweight Carlos Mota has been suspended two years for a positive drug test.

Mota (8-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) tested positive for meldonium, a metabolic modulator that is banned by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. In addition to a two-year suspension, Mota was fined a total of $2,848, which includes $448.25 in legal fees. Mota will be eligible to return to competition Oct. 29, 2024.

The sanction was announced by Nevada Attorney General’s Office representative Joel Bekker at Wednesday’s meeting of the Nevada Athletic Commission in Las Vegas. The failed drug test stems from his Oct. 29 bout against Cody Durden, which he lost by unanimous decision. Mota, who was the reigning LFA flyweight champion at the time, took the bout on short notice. It was his UFC debut.

Mota, 27, was regarded by many as one of the best flyweight up-and-comers in the world when he entered the UFC. He won back-to-back fights, including a brutal knockout of Rizvan Abuev at LFA 140 two months before the fight with Durden.

Flyweight prospect Cobey Fehr (amphetamine) and Power Slap fighter Jon Kennedy (cocaine) were also suspended for nine months each and fined, announced at Wednesday’s hearing.