One of PFL's would-be 2019 featherweight finalists has been suspended and fined for an adverse drug-test result.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission on Wednesday suspended Daniel Pineda six months and fined him $12,500 after his drug-test results from Oct. 17, 2019 -- the day of his PFL playoff fights -- came back with an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio, indicating the ingestion of exogenous (not naturally produced) testosterone.
With the ban being retroactive, Pineda is eligible to return April 18.
The NSAC reduced what would have been a longer suspension because Pineda was forthright in admitting fault for the positive drug test.
Pineda stopped Movlid Khaybulaev in the quarterfinals via first-round TKO and then submitted Jeremy Kennedy in the first round of the semifinals during the PFL playoffs on Oct. 17 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Both of those victories will be overturned to no contests.
Pineda (26-13, 2 NC) would have fought Lance Palmer in the PFL's $1 million featherweight final Dec. 31 if not for his drug-test results.
He came into the playoffs as a late injury replacement and did not fight for PFL at all during the regular season. The 34-year-old Texas native was on a four-fight winning streak on the regional circuit heading into his PFL debut.
Pineda fought in the UFC from 2012 to 2014.