Luis Pajuelo suspended 2 years for failed drug tests, UFC contract terminated

Luis Pajuelo’s stint with the UFC ends after just one fight.

On Thursday, Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) announced that Pajuelo has accepted a 24-month suspension for violating UFC’s anti-doping policy. A pair of out-of-competition tests administered on Aug. 5 and Aug. 21 came up positive for 19-norandrosterone and Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) “analysis consistent with the exogenous origin of testosterone and its metabolites.”

According to the release, both are anabolic steroids that are prohibited for UFC fighters. Pajuelo also admitted taking deca-durabolin, which along with the positive tests, led to the Peru fighter being released by the promotion.

Pajuelo’s suspension began in late-August, and he will be eligible to return on Aug. 24, 2026.

In his lone UFC bout, the Contender Series contract winner faced Fernando Padilla at UFC Vegas 89 in March, losing via first-round submission. The 29-year-old is 8-2 as a pro, and earned his contract from Dana White in August 2023 with a first-round TKO victory against Robbie Ring.