Several Dana White's Contender Series alums suspended for failed drug tests

Several fighters who competed on this past season of Dana White’s Contender Series are facing disciplinary action from the Nevada Athletic Commission.

Francesco Mazzeo and Abdellah Er-Ramy, who lost their respective bouts, were issued suspensions for failed drug tests, while Quemuel Ottoni, who pulled out of his DWCS bout hours before the fight due to anxiety, was given an extension to his suspension.

The NAC announced its rulings during a monthly meeting on Tuesday in Las Vegas.

Mazzeo (4-1) tested positive for GW1516 and GW1516 metabolites, which are prohibited at all times under the World Anti-Doping Agency, in a urinalysis collected on Sept. 24. The B sample confirmed the prohibited substances.

The Italian fighter was given a nine-month suspension retroactive from collection of the test and will be eligible to return on June 23, 2025. He was also fined $750 with prosecution fees totaling $154.04.

Er-Ramy (7-2) faced a similar fate to Mazzeo. After testing positive for drostanolone and drostanolone metabolites, prohibited under the WADA list, in an Oct. 1 urinalysis, Er-Ramy was issued a nine-month suspension starting the day of the contest. His suspension lifts on June 30, 2025. He was also fined $750 with prosecution fees totaling $154.04.

For Ottoni (12-3), his temporary suspension was extended for the NAC’s January meeting, as the NAC continues negotiations with the fighter and look to “re-establish contact.” Ottoni has tested positive for Clomiphene.