Contender Series Vets Mazzeo, Er-Ramy Suspended for Failed Drug Tests

A pair of competitors on the most recent season of Dana White's Contender Series have been suspended after testing positive for banned substances.

During a Nevada State Athletic Commission meeting on Tuesday, Francesco Mazzeo and Abdelah Er-Ramy were handed sanctions after failing drug tests in relation to their respective bouts.

Mazzeo was suspended nine months due to a positive test for the metabolic modulator GW1516 and its metabolites. He was also fined $750 and ordered to pay $157.04 in prosecution fees. Mazzeo, who suffered a second-round submission loss to Kevin Christian on Sept. 24, will be eligible to return to active competition on June 23.

Er-Ramy, meanwhile, tested positive for the anabolic steroid drostanolone and was suspended nine months. He was fined $750 as well as $157.04 in prosecution fees. Er-Ramy, who lost to Torrez Finney via first-round knockout on Oct. 1, will be eligible to return on June 30.

Finally, Quemuel Ottoni had a temporary extension extended, and he will be added to the commission’s January agenda. Ottoni was supposed to face Kody Steele on the Contender Series but he pulled out of the fight just before it was set to take place.