Joilton Lutterbach Opens Up About PED Use After Being Pulled from UFC Saudi Arabia

Joilton Lutterbach

In a rare and honest revelation, MMA veteran Joilton Lutterbach has admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). Lutterbach (38-10) was scheduled to fight the undefeated Shara Magomedov (12-0) at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but was removed from the event after failing a drug test. Antonio Trocoli, a Dana White’s Contender Series alum, has been named as his replacement.

Initially, Lutterbach mentioned that the anti-doping commission pulled him from the fight due to a substance found in his urine. He has now confessed to using PEDs months earlier, believing his system would be clean by the time he received the surprise UFC call.

Lutterbach, whose career includes 48 fights across various combat sports such as Karate Combat, muay Thai, and kickboxing, has also competed in prominent promotions like KSW, Cage Warriors, and the PFL. Despite this setback, he remains hopeful about his return to the sport after serving his suspension.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in combat sports regarding PED use and the rigorous measures in place to maintain a fair playing field. Lutterbach’s public admission is uncommon and marks a moment of transparency in a sport often clouded by secrecy around doping.