UFC fighter Mara Romero Borella was issued a twenty six year suspension from Italy’s National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO Italy) for a wide variety of offenses, including allegedly ditributing marijuana and cocaine. Borella and her then boyfriend were caught, alongside 35 others, in a sting that took place in 2012, which resulted in the fighter serving jail time and some time under house arrest.
Despite the lengthy suspension from NADO Italy and the suspension, no additional punishment is going to be given to the fighter from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
USADA spokesperson Danielle Eurich issued the following statement to MMA Junkie about Borella’s situation:
“Following our review, we have determined and then subsequently informed the UFC that Maria Borella is eligible to compete in UFC events because the violation that resulted in her ban by the Italian national anti-doping agency (NADO) is not a recognized offense under the UFC Anti-Doping Program. She was sanctioned by the Italian NADO for her involvement in trafficking street drugs – marijuana and cocaine (prohibited in-competition only) – with no intent to enhance performance. The UFC ADP does not consider this a violation because the activity was unrelated to performance enhancement. As such, Ms. Borella remains eligible to compete in UFC events.”
Borella currently holds a 1-1-0 record in the UFC (11-5-0-2NC overall), defeating Kalindra Faria and suffering a defeat to Katlyn Chookagian.
