November 22, 2024

Andrea Lee releases statement following removal from UFC 216

Andrea Lee
 Scott Hirano, Invicta FC

After a whirlwind week that saw her highly anticipated UFC debut announced and then canceled within a span of 12 hours, Andrea Lee has issued a statement shedding some light on the situation.

The 28-year-old flyweight was expected to step into the Octagon for the first time at UFC 216 on Oct. 7 against Kalindra Faria, but because Lee had previously tested positive for diuretics in March 2016 (an infraction that led to her receiving a nine-month suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission), it means she will have to deal with increased scrutiny from the USADA.

According to USADA guidelines, new or returning athletes with an “established and verifiable history of use, attempted use or possession of a substance or method” that is on the prohibited list must undergo a minimum of six months of testing before they can fight in the UFC.

On Saturday, the 28-year-old flyweight posted a statement to her social media accounts explaining her side of the story:

“I’m not on drugs nor am I or have I taken any steroids. I’ve passed all my random drug tests this year,” Lee wrote, adding that she expects to fight in March or April of next year.

Lee is 8-2 as a professional having competed for both the Legacy Fighting Alliance and Invicta FC promotions. She has won four straight fights and she successfully defended the LFA women’s flyweight title in September with a second-round kimura submission of Jamie Thorton.

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