One of the first women flyweights to compete in the Octagon could be facing some trouble in her MMA career. 32-year-old Mara Romero Borella became half of the first bout under the UFC’s newly instituted 125 lb division back in 2017, when she defeated Kalindra Faria via first round submission.
She then lost a contentious split decision to top contender Katlyn Chookagian in January of this year, and hasn’t been seen since. Now there are questions swimming about the chances of the Italian athlete ever returning.
Italian MMA site 4once.it reports (h/t to MMA Today) that Borella has been handed a 26-year-suspension from Italy’s National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO Italy), in connection with a 2012 sting operation that reportedly busted her along with her boyfriend at the time – and 35 others – for distribution of marijuana and cocaine.