UFC axes Contender Series winners after two failed drug tests

Not every story in the Dana White Contender series has a happy ending.

Thirteen months after earning his way onto the UFC's featherweight roster with a TKO victory over Robbie Ring, Luis Pajuelo has been banned from competition for 24 months and released from his contract with the sport's No. 1 contender.

The 29-year-old Pajuelo was coming off a defeat in March when he delivered a choke to D'Arce in his UFC main roster debut against Fernando Padilla.

The Peruvian native, who has an 8-2 record as a professional, had not scheduled a second fight but was ordered to submit a sample in August as part of out-of-competition drug testing. Two weeks later, he was tested a second time and the results were positive for the presence of 19-norandrosterone and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS).

According to a press release from Combat Sports Anti-Doping posted on UFC.com, “the analysis reflected levels consistent with the exogenous origin of testosterone and its metabolites, both anabolic steroids that are banned at all times.”

Pajuelo admitted to using Deca-Durabolin (nandrolone) prior to these sample collections. Due to the severity of Pajuelo's situation, it is unlikely that a commission will grant him permission to participate before the end of his suspension.

According to the statement, this punishment will almost certainly prevent him from fighting anywhere in the United States, Canada and most of Europe.

Deca-Durabolin can help increase muscle mass and strength and speed a fighter's recovery from injuries and training sessions. Fighters looking to gain an unfair advantage can take this steroid to quickly overcome an injury, help lose weight, or increase their endurance before a fight.

The drug also poses significant risks such as heart problems. The drug can remain in the human body for more than a year. Many tests can detect the metabolites during this time.

It is unclear when Pajuelo began taking the banned substances.

More UFC news

The promotion takes place on Saturday for UFC 307 at the Delta Center. Two world titles are on the line when Alex Pereira defends his light heavyweight title against Khalil Rountree Jr. in the main event.

In the co-main event, Raquel Pennington defends her women's bantamweight title against former champion Julianna Pena. Also on the card is Jose Aldo continuing his second career in the UFC by taking on Mario Bautista.

Strong contender Kayla Harrison is likely just one win away from her title shot. On Saturday she will face Ketlen Viera.

Here's a look at the entire UFC 307 card and viewing information.

• Date: Saturday, October 5th
• Time: 6:30 p.m. ET (Early Prelims), 8:00 p.m. ET (Prelims) and 10:00 p.m. ET (Main Card)
• Location: Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah
• TV/Stream: Early prelims on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass, prelims on ESPN+, main card on ESPN+ PPV

Full UFC 307 card

UFC 307 main card

• Alex Pereira (center) vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. – UFC Men’s Light Heavyweight Championship
• Raquel Pennington (center) vs. Julianna Peña – UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship
• Jose Aldo vs. Mario Bautista
• Ketlen Vieira vs. Kayla Harrison
• Roman Dolidze vs Kevin Holland

UFC 307 prelims

• Stephen Thompson vs. Joaquin Buckley
• Marina Rodriguez vs Iasmin Lucindo
• Austin Hubbard vs. Alexander Hernandez
• Cesar Almeida vs. Ihor Potieria

UFC 307 Early Prelims

• Ryan Spann vs. Ovince Saint Preux
• Carla Esparza vs. Tecia Pennington
• Court McGee v. Tim Means

Every fighter on the card has successfully made weight. Stay tuned for post-event coverage.