The reason behind Taila Santos’ sudden removal from the PFL women’s flyweight grand prix has now come to light.
The former UFC title challenger, now competing under the PFL banner, has accepted a six-month suspension from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) after testing positive for oxandrolone and clenbuterol during an out-of-competition screening conducted on March 21.
According to USADA’s release, both substances are classified as non-specified anabolic agents, banned at all times under the PFL Anti-Doping Policy and Prohibited List.
Santos had been scheduled to face Juliana Velasquez at PFL 2 earlier this month before abruptly withdrawing. As a result of the suspension, she has been officially removed from the division’s World Tournament. Santos will be eligible to compete again on September 21, upon the completion of her sanction.
PFL Faces Rough Start to 2025, Unveils Structural Overhaul
This latest development adds to a growing string of difficulties for the Professional Fighters League in the early months of its 2025 campaign.
In response to growing internal and external pressures, the PFL has announced a significant overhaul to its seasonal structure, pivoting away from its unique format toward a more conventional tournament model. As part of this shift, the grand prize for each division has been cut in half, from the previous $1 million to $500,000.
Under the league’s original framework, fighters had the potential to earn a $1 million bonus via a tiered incentive structure—typically $50,000 to show, $50,000 to win, and $900,000 for clinching the championship. Now, while the $500,000 championship prize remains a notable purse, it represents a major change in tone and ambition for the promotion.
According to Al Zullino, who first broke the news, the revised contracts reflect an attempt to increase competitive parity and streamline the organization’s financial commitments. In addition, the PFL plans to eliminate its signature point-based scoring system, which had previously rewarded early finishes—most notably the “Quick Six” (a first-round finish that granted six points, the maximum available per fight).
