UFC heavyweight Braxton Smith suspended for exogenous testosterone administration

UFC heavyweight Braxton Smith failed in his attempt to capture his first promotional win – and now he’s failed a drug test, too.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency publicly announced a two-year suspension for Smith after a urine sample he submitted tested positive for exogenous administration of testosterone and its precursors in two out-of-competition tests on April 19 and May 4, and one in-competition test May 6.

“Smith’s urine sample was analyzed using a specialized test, known as Carbon Isotope Ratio (CIR) testing, that differentiates between anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) naturally produced by the body and prohibited anabolic agents of external origin,” USADA said in a statement. “The CIR test confirmed the presence of testosterone and/or its metabolites of external origin in Smith’s urine sample. All AAS 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.”

Since Smith was not notified of his failures until the third sample was already submitted, the three tests only count as one violation. The tests occurred in and around his May 6 bout vs. Parker Porter at UFC 288. Since Smith lost by first-round TKO, no changes to the bout result are required.

Smith will be eligible to return to competition April 19, 2025 by USADA standards, but he could face different sanctions from the New Jersey State Athletic Commission, who has yet to publicly rule on the matter.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 288.