It’s been a rough few months for Quemuel Ottoni and now he’s going to have to wait until 2026 to compete again.
The Brazilian, who famously defeated future UFC champion Alex Pereira early in his MMA career, withdrew from a scheduled fight on the Contender Series against Kody Steele this past September when he decided just moments before walking to the cage that he no longer wanted to compete.
Now Ottoni has been suspended for 18 months by the Nevada Athletic Commission after he tested positive for the banned substance clomiphene following a drug test administered as part of the protocols for competing in the state. Clomiphene is listed as a hormone and metabolic modulator that’s banned at all times for athletes.
On Tuesday, the commission voted to approve a default judgment against Ottoni after he failed to respond to numerous requests regarding the failed drug test and potential punishment.
As a result, Ottoni was suspended 18 months and he’ll be eligible to compete again after March 10, 2026.
Because he never actually fought that night, Ottoni avoided a fine, but he still owes $471.12 in attorney fees and that must be paid before he could get licensed in Nevada again. If he returns to compete in the state, Ottoni also has to provide clean drug tests 30 days, 15 days and 3 days away from his contest.
After he dropped out of his fight at the Contender Series, UFC CEO Dana White essentially chalked it up to the moment getting to him, which led to Ottoni ultimately pulling himself out of the fight.
“That’s what this show is all about,” White said. “Sometimes you don’t have to actually get in the cage to realize, ‘This isn’t for me. I can’t handle the pressure. I don’t want to do this.’ This is what this is all about.”
Ottoni later explained that he had an “anxiety crisis” that led to him pulling out of the fight, but now he’ll have to face the consequences for using a banned substance in addition to the UFC obviously passing on having him back for another potential appearance.
