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Bruno Cappelozza, a former PFL heavyweight champion, faces another significant setback in his career after being handed a one-year suspension by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). This marks the second time the Brazilian fighter has been penalized for using banned substances, putting a major halt to his professional journey until 2025.
The latest suspension came after an out-of-competition drug test conducted on April 17, 2024, revealed the presence of clomiphene and its metabolite desethyl-clomifene in Cappelozza’s system. Clomiphene, a substance banned at all times for athletes, belongs to the class of hormone and metabolic modulators. USADA's officials announced the one-year suspension on Monday, making it clear that Cappelozza will remain sidelined until April 17, 2025. This penalty is the maximum sentence allowed based on the substance used.
Cappelozza's troubles with doping are not new. In 2023, he faced a nine-month suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission after testing positive for drostanolone, an anabolic steroid. As a result, his victory over Matheus Scheffel was overturned to a no contest. This recent suspension only adds to the rough couple of years the 35-year-old veteran has endured, following his PFL heavyweight tournament win in 2021.
Adding to the fighter's woes, his return to the ring at the start of 2024 saw him fall to ex-Bellator champion Vadim Nemkov by second-round submission. Cappelozza’s career has been marred by controversies and setbacks, making his path back to the top a steep and challenging one.
As Cappelozza serves his one-year suspension, the PFL and its anti-doping policy, overseen by USADA, continue to enforce strict measures against drug use, aiming to maintain the integrity of the sport. Cappelozza's story serves as a cautionary tale for athletes about the severe consequences of doping in professional sports.
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