Taila Santos, a fighter known for her time as a UFC title challenger and now competing in the PFL, has been issued a six-month suspension by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
The suspension was imposed after Santos tested positive for the prohibited substances oxandrolone and clenbuterol. The positive result originated from an out-of-competition test conducted on March 21. According to USADA`s announcement, these compounds are identified as non-specified Anabolic Agents and are banned at all times under the PFL Anti-Doping Policy and Prohibited List.
This positive test and subsequent suspension led to Santos being removed from her scheduled bout against Juliana Velasquez at PFL 2 earlier this month. She has also been withdrawn from the PFL flyweight World Tournament. The 31-year-old Brazilian fighter is eligible to return to competition on September 21, following the conclusion of her ban.
Before joining the PFL, where she reached the finals of the 2024 season before a loss to Dakota Ditcheva in November, Santos had a seven-fight run in the UFC. This included a notable decision loss to Valentina Shevchenko for the flyweight championship at UFC 275 in June 2022. Her final appearance in the octagon was a decision defeat against Erin Blanchfield at UFC Singapore in August 2023, after which she was released by the promotion.
