In a shocking turn of events, a rising star in the UFC’s strawweight division has been sidelined for nine months due to an anti-doping violation, leaving fans and critics alike divided over the circumstances. But here’s where it gets controversial: Iasmin Lucindo, who boasts an impressive 5-2 record in the Octagon since joining the UFC in 2022, tested positive for mesterolone, a banned anabolic agent, in an out-of-competition sample collected on September 24, 2025, in Feira de Santana, Brazil. This led to her removal from a highly anticipated bout against Gillian Robertson scheduled for December 13. And this is the part most people miss: Lucindo and her team claim the positive test stemmed from a contaminated supplement, a defense that has sparked heated debates in the MMA community.
Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) announced the suspension on Wednesday, emphasizing that Lucindo fully cooperated with their investigation. According to CSAD, the evidence suggests she did not intentionally use mesterolone for performance enhancement. Lucindo provided official documentation from a Brazilian pharmacy, which revealed that the pharmacy regularly compounded products containing mesterolone, potentially leading to accidental contamination of her supplements. Additionally, her testing history showed minimal exposure to the substance, with negative samples in August and October 2025. However, CSAD could not definitively confirm the contamination due to Lucindo having already consumed some of the supplements.
Here’s the kicker: Despite the minimal concentration of mesterolone in her system, Lucindo still faces a nine-month suspension, ending on June 24, 2026. She also awaits further punishment from the Nevada State Athletic Commission, as the December fight was set to take place in Las Vegas. CSAD has since issued a warning to UFC athletes, urging them to avoid compounded dietary supplements, especially those from Brazil, due to the risk of contamination.
Lucindo’s case raises a thought-provoking question: Should athletes be held fully accountable for tainted supplements, or does the responsibility lie with regulatory bodies and supplement manufacturers? Her recent unanimous decision victory over Angela Hill at UFC on ESPN 72 in August 2023 showcased her potential, making this suspension a significant setback in her rising career. What do you think? Is the punishment fair, or does it highlight a larger issue in the world of sports and supplements? Let’s discuss in the comments!
