Ketlen Vieira handed six-month ban for doping violation after missing weight against Cyborg

Ketlen Vieira has been handed a six-month suspension, retroactive to August 22, after a banned steroidal substance was detected in both her A and B samples collected during her PFL bout against Cris Cyborg in Tampa, Florida.

The Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation, which replaced USADA as the PFL’s anti-doping partner in 2025, confirmed the adverse analytical findings to Sherdog.com. Commissioner Mike Mazzulli declined to identify the specific substance but confirmed the suspension began on the date of the fight. Representatives for Vieira, the PFL, and the Florida Athletic Commission did not respond to requests for comment.

The positive test compounds an already fraught night for Cyborg. Vieira had missed the featherweight championship limit by more than seven pounds at the weigh-in, stripping the contest of its title status before a punch was thrown. Cyborg, who had made weight, agreed to fight anyway at a catchweight of 153 pounds, surrendering what she described as a significant physical advantage.

“I still accepted the fight and stepped into the cage knowing I would be giving up a significant physical advantage,” Cyborg said. “Thank you to Mike Mazzulli and everyone involved in maintaining a serious testing program. I believe clean sport deserves strong enforcement.”

The bout had been scheduled as the first defence of Cyborg’s PFL women’s featherweight title, which the 41-year-old won by defeating Australian Sara Collins late last year. Vieira arrived as a credible challenger, having gone 10-5 across nearly a decade in the UFC before her contract expired following a decision win over Jacqueline Cavalcanti in May. The UFC opted not to re-sign her, and she moved directly into the PFL title picture.

Vieira had attributed her weight miss to severe kidney and stomach pain in the lead-up to the weigh-in, telling MMAFighting.com the issues prevented her from reaching the limit. Cyborg, despite winning the five-round non-title contest for her 30th career victory, said she found the circumstances surrounding the fight “extremely unusual.”

“Ketlen, I respect you,” Cyborg added. “I know what it takes to step into that cage. I wish you nothing but success moving forward. I know fighters can face difficult circumstances during a fight camp. I have no interest in attacking her personally.”

The Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation previously oversaw drug testing for Bellator MMA before taking on the PFL programme this year.