UFC Cuts Contender Series winner after 2 failed drug tests

Not every Dana White Contender Series story has a happy ending.

Thirteen months after winning his way onto the UFC featherweight roster with a TKO victory over Robbie Ring, Luis Pajuelo has been suspended from competition for 24 months and released from his contract with the sport’s No. 1 promotion.

The 29-year-old Pajuelo suffered a submission loss via D’Arce choke against Fernando Padilla in March in the former’s UFC main roster debut.

The Peru native, who has an 8-2 record as a professional, had no second fight scheduled but was ordered to submit a sample as part of the out-of-competition drug testing process in August. Two weeks later he was tested a second time and the results were positive for the presence of 19-norandrosterone and Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS).

According to a Combat Sports Anti-Doping press release published on UFC.com, “the analysis reflected values ​​consistent with the exogenous origin of testosterone and its metabolites, both anabolic steroids that are prohibited at all times.”

Pajuelo admitted to using deca-durabolin (nandrolone) leading up to these sample collections. Due to the severity of Pajuelo’s situation, it is unlikely that a commission will grant him a license to compete before the end of his suspension.

According to the statement, this punishment will almost certainly prevent him from fighting anywhere in the United States, Canada and most of Europe.

Deca-Durabolin can help increase muscle mass and strength and speed up a fighter’s recovery from injuries and training. Fighters looking to gain an unfair advantage can use this steroid to quickly overcome an injury, help lose weight, or increase their endurance prior to a fight.

The drug also comes with notable risks, such as heart problems. The drug can remain in the human system for more than a year. During that time, many tests can detect the metabolites.

It is unclear when Pajuelo started using the banned substances.

Other UFC news

On Saturday, the promotion heads to the Delta Center for UFC 307. Two world titles are on the line as Alex Pereira defends his light heavyweight title against Khalil Rountree Jr. in the main event.

In the co-main event, Raquel Pennington defends her women’s bantamweight title against former champion Julianna Pena. Also on the card, Jose Aldo continues his second life in the UFC as he takes on Mario Bautista.

Hard-hitting contender Kayla Harrison is likely one win away from her title shot. On Saturday she will face Ketlen Viera.

Here’s a look at the full UFC 307 card and viewing information.

• Date: Saturday October 5
• Time: 6:30 PM ET (Early Prelims), 8:00 PM ET (Prelims), and 10:00 PM ET (Main Card)
• Location: Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah
• TV/stream: Early prelims on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass, prelims on ESPN+, main card on ESPN+ PPV

Full UFC 307 card

UFC 307 main card

• Alex Pereira (C) vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. – UFC Men’s Light Heavyweight Championship
• Raquel Pennington (C) vs. Julianna Peña – UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship
• José Aldo vs. Mario Bautista
• Ketlen Vieira vs. Kayla Harrison
• Roman Dolidze vs. Kevin Holland

UFC 307 Preliminaries

• Stephen Thompson vs. Joaquin Buckley
• Marina Rodriguez vs. Iasmin Lucindo
• Austin Hubbard vs. Alexander Hernandez
• Cesar Almeida vs. Ihor Potieria

UFC 307 Early Preliminaries

• Ryan Spann vs. Ovince Saint Preux
• Carla Esparza vs. Tecia Pennington
• Court McGee vs. Tim Means

Every fighter on the card arrived successfully. Stay tuned for coverage after the event.