26 YEAR SUSPENSION: UFC fighter Mara Romero Borella blocked by Italian Anti Doping Agency
Well, this is extremely interesting. Whether this ruling will impact UFC flyweight Mara Romero Borella or not remains to be seen, but the Italian Anti Doping Agency just suspended the fighter from competing until year 2044.
According to a report from BJPenn.com, the UFC’s first female fight from Italy received a 26-year suspension for drug related charges.
In 2014, Borella was suspended by the National Anti Doping Agency of Italy for 15 years due to trafficking of prohibited substances. This suspension has now been extended to 2044 making it a whopping 26-year suspension due to “contravention of article 4.12.3 of the Italian Anti Doping Code (NSA) which prohibits competing while suspended.” accompanied by “violation of article eight of the same code which prohibits the use of Italian sporting facilities while serving a suspension”.
According to the report, Borella’s boyfriend at the time, Filippo Maserati, “was under police investigation centered around the Italian town of Piacenza. A two-year investigation that was known as “Operazione Flanker“ led to the arrest of the couple along with 33 others that were charged with distribution and sale of cannabis and cocaine in multiple areas around the location.”
“The investigation discovered that Borella and Maserati were distributing drugs around bars, nightclubs, and sporting venues such as rugby and soccer matches. Borella also was believed to have been selling drugs at her gym.”
“Italian media reported in July 2012 that 31 of the defendants had entered into plea deals that included punishments of up to one and four years in prison.”
