UFC fighter Ashlee Evans-Smith has been suspended for 14 months by USADA after she tested positive for an anabolic steroid during an out-of-competition test in January.
The 34-year-old Evans-Smith’s suspension would have been significantly longer if it had not been for the fact that she was able to prove to officials that she had been unknowingly been incorrectly prescribed an illegal steroid by her doctor.
“Evans-Smith tested positive for the presence of an anabolic androgenic steroid of exogenous origin following as the result of urine samples collected out-of-competition on January 3 and January 27, 2022,” an official statement from the UFC reads. “Exogenous anabolic androgenic steroids are classified as Non-Specified Substances in the class of Anabolic Agents and are prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy and UFC Prohibited List. Evans-Smith declared dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on both of her doping control forms completed at the time her positive samples were collected.
During an investigation into the circumstances of the case, Evans-Smith provided evidence, including medical records, indicating that a physician incorrectly prescribed DHEA to her. As such, USADA determined that Evans-Smith’s degree of fault was diminished and that she should receive a reduced period of ineligibility. She also received a reduction for her Full and Complete Cooperation.
Evans-Smith actually hasn’t fought since back in November of 2020 when she suffered a unanimous decision loss to Norma Dumont. That had been her fourth loss in her last five fights, with her solitary win during that period coming on the scorecards against Bec Rawlings back in 2018.
In total Evans-Smith holds a 3-5 UFC record and any hopes of improving on that will now have to wait until her suspension lifts on 3rd March of 2023.
