UFC fighter Ashlee Evans-Smith has been suspended 14 months because of a positive drug test for a steroid, it was announced Monday by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, a UFC anti-doping partner.
The USADA stated in a release that Evans-Smith tested positive for the presence of an anabolic androgenic steroid of exogenous (or external) origin in drug-test samples collected on Jan. 3 and Jan. 27. Her 14-month ban will start retroactively from Jan. 3, so Evans-Smith will be eligible to compete again in the UFC in March 2023.
Evans-Smith declared use of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a banned substance, on both of her doping-control forms prior to the samples being collected, per the release. During the USADA's investigation, Evans-Smith provided the agency evidence that she was incorrectly prescribed the drug by a physician.
Due to the circumstances and her "full and complete cooperation," the USADA reduced Evans-Smith's suspension. Testing positive for a steroid could result in a two-year ban under the UFC's anti-doping policy.
Evans-Smith (6-5) has not fought since a loss to Norma Dumont in November 2020. The fighter from California has competed in the UFC women's bantamweight and women's flyweight divisions.
In 2014, Evans-Smith was suspended nine months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) for testing positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide.