UFC bantamweight Mayra Bueno Silva announced she tested positive for a drug test following her win against Holly Holm, stating the substance was associated with her ADHD medication and clarifying she’s fully cooperating with the Nevada Athletic Commission, UFC, and USADA.
The fighting career of Mayra Bueno Silva could face an unexpected and extended break. The 31-year-old bantamweight confirmed on a recent Monday that she has not passed a pre-fight drug screening ahead of her UFC Vegas 77 win against Holly Holm. Silva explained via Instagram that she had tested positive for a substance associated with her prescription medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). She shared that she is fully compliant with requirements from both the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) and anti-doping organization USADA, and the UFC, who all played regulatory roles in the bout.
It is expected that Silva will be temporarily suspended while her case progresses towards resolution, considering that her name is on the agenda for an upcoming NAC meeting in Las Vegas on a Thursday. Silva, known as “Sheetara”, made a significant landmark in her eight-year MMA career with a second-round submission win against Holm during the July 15 event held at Las Vegas’ UFC APEX. Since shifting back to the bantamweight category in 2022, Silva has secured four back-to-back victories, positioning herself as a top contender for the vacant UFC women’s bantamweight title.
In her Instagram statement, Silva began by expressing regret, explaining she had never used any performance-enhancing substances throughout her career. She noted her lifelong struggle with ADHD and its complexities. Silva further elaborated that she had shared comprehensive documents and explanations about her disorder with both USADA and the Nevada State Commission.
Silva confirmed that she willingly provided all the necessary information and acknowledges the medication’s presence in her system. She expressed that she had always ceased the medication at the start of fight week. Even though small medication amounts remained present in her system, experts suggested it would not significantly affect her in-competition performance. She pleaded with fans not to judge until understanding her plight, saying she was ‘devastated’ about the impact this incident had on her career. Displaying optimism for overcoming this hurdle, she expressed her eagerness to continue fighting and proclaimed herself the next champion.