Former Bellator title challenger Alejandra Lara has been suspended for nine months by the Nevada Athletic Commission after testing positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.
The Colombian fighter also received a $412.50 fine and was ordered to pay $250.60 in prosecution fees as part of an adjudication agreement presented to the commission on Wednesday. Lara will be eligible to return to competition on January 24, 2027.
The suspension follows a drug test conducted around her April 24 fight at Tuff N Uff 153, where she suffered a third round guillotine submission loss to Jaleen Robledo.
Alejandra Lara receives nine month suspension
According to the details reported by MMA Fighting and MMA Junkie, Lara tested positive for benzoylecgonine following her bout with Robledo.
Benzoylecgonine is the primary metabolite of cocaine and is classified as a prohibited substance for athletes competing in combat sports. The Nevada Athletic Commission subsequently reached a settlement agreement with Lara that resulted in the nine month suspension.
The suspension runs through January 24, 2027. Lara must also undergo additional drug testing if she seeks to obtain a license to compete in Nevada again. The financial penalties include a $412.50 fine and $250.60 in prosecution fees.
Lara has not been cleared to compete during the suspension, meaning her next professional appearance cannot take place until the penalty expires.
Lara’s recent MMA record
The positive test came after a difficult result for Lara inside the cage.
She faced Jaleen Robledo at Tuff N Uff 153 on April 24 and lost by third round guillotine submission. The defeat left Lara with a 3 and 3 record since her departure from Bellator in 2023, according to MMA Junkie.
Before that setback, Lara had established herself as a familiar name on the regional MMA scene and had built significant experience during her time with Bellator.
Her professional record currently stands at 12 wins and 10 losses. The suspension now creates another interruption in a career that has already seen Lara compete across several stages of the sport.
Former Bellator title challenger
Lara became one of the more recognizable fighters in Bellator’s women’s flyweight division during the promotion’s Scott Coker era.
She competed six times under the Bellator banner, recording three wins and six losses according to the reports. Her run included fights against several notable opponents, including Ilima Lei Macfarlane, Juliana Velasquez, Kana Watanabe and DeAnna Bennett.
Her biggest opportunity came at Bellator 201 in June 2018, when she challenged Ilima Lei Macfarlane for the women’s flyweight championship.
Lara entered the bout looking to capture a major title, but Macfarlane secured a third round armbar submission to successfully defend her championship.
Despite the defeat, the title fight remains one of the most significant moments of Lara’s career.
What happens next for Lara?
Lara will now have to wait until January 2027 before she can return to competition.
Her future plans remain unclear, but any potential return to Nevada would come with additional drug testing requirements. The commission has made clear that Lara will need to satisfy those requirements before receiving another license to compete in the state.
At 32 years old, Lara still has the opportunity to continue her MMA career once the suspension ends. However, the time away from competition will leave her with another challenge as she attempts to rebuild momentum.
Her last appearance ended in a submission defeat, and she will now face a lengthy period away from the cage before she can begin preparing for another fight.
For a former Bellator title challenger with more than 20 professional bouts, the next stage of Lara’s career will depend on how she responds after the suspension expires.
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