Nine PFL fighters suspended by Nevada State Athletic Commission

The Professional Fighters League recently released a statement indicating that some number of fighters on the roster had apparently returned problematic PED tests administered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. 

The NSAC regulated PFL 1 on April 1, PFL 2 on April 7, and PFL 3 on April 14. All events were held at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

The company issued the following notice:

PFL Regular Season Update

PFL has been notified by the Nevada State Athletic Commission that several fighters who competed in PFL 2023 Regular Season events this past April have been temporarily suspended until further review by the Commission.

The PFL has a zero-tolerance policy related to the usage of banned substances and complies with U.S. State Athletic Commission requirements. Further, as the PFL moves towards the highest level of testing and compliance in the sport, PFL is engaged with USADA on the implementation of its athlete anti-doping program.

The suspensions are temporary until a Wednesday commission meeting in Las Vegas, at which point details on why the fighters were suspended will revealed. Further the suspensions will likely become indefinite, pending disciplinary hearings and/or adjudication agreements. Regardless of the eventual disposition of the cases, the fighters in question are likely out for the PFL regular season. They are believed to be:

• Bruno Cappelozza, former PFL heavyweight champion
• Mohammad Fakhreddine
• Cezar Ferreira
• Will Fleury
• Alejandro Flores
• Krysztof Jotko
• Rizvan Kuniev
• Thiago Santos, former UFC title challenger
• Daniel Torres

The suspensions will materially impact the PFL light heavyweight season, as four of 10 fighters are suspended. Further, three of the season’s 10 heavyweight fighters are suspended. Upcoming PFL events have already been altered in anticipation of the fighters being out for the season.