Luis Pajuelo was banned for two years and had his UFC contract terminated because of failed drug tests

Luis Pajuelo's time 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 the UFC's anti-doping policy. Two out-of-competition tests conducted on August 5 and 21 returned a positive result for 19-norandrosterone and an 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 banned for UFC fighters. Pajuelo also admitted to taking Deca-Durabolin, which, along with the positive tests, led to the Peruvian fighter being released due to promotion.

Pajuelo's suspension began at the end of August and he is eligible to return on August 24, 2026.

In his only UFC fight, the Contender Series contract winner faced Fernando Padilla at UFC Vegas 89 in March and lost via first-round submission. The 29-year-old has an 8-2 record as a professional and earned his contract from Dana White in August 2023 with a first-round TKO win over Robbie Ring.