UFC fighter admits he 'lied' after being fired by Dana White just weeks after debut

An MMA fighter says he 'lied' after being released from the UFC and has issued a promise to Dana White.

Alvin Hines was cut from the UFC after he tested positive for anabolic steroids following his promotional debut at June's UFC 317.

He replaced Justin Tafa on short notice to face Jhonata Diniz in a heavyweight contest.

Hines showed plenty of heart but lost by unanimous decision, with each of the three judges scoring the bout 29-28 in favour of Diniz.

The 33-year-old has since been hit with a one-year ban after Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) announced that he tested positive for Drostanolone and testosterone in an out-of-competition drug test on June 20 and out-of-competition tests on June 28 and July 5.

According to CSAD, Hines knowingly took the prohibited substances before he joined the UFC but purposely did not disclose it on his promotional onboarding form.

Alvin Hines has been banned for one year after testing positive for anabolic steroids. Image: Getty

A UFC statement read: "Hines tested positive for the presence of the anabolic steroids Drostanolone, its metabolite, 3a-Hydroxy-2a-methyl-5a-androstan-17-one and testosterone metabolites, as well as a metabolite of Tamoxifen, 3-Hydroxy-4-methooxytamoxifen, a hormone and metabolic modulator.

"All of these substances are prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Program and were present in samples collected out-of-competition from Hines on June 20, 2025, in Superior, Minnesota, in-competition on June 28, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and out-of-competition on July 5, 2025, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

"The evidence in this case reflected that Hines consumed these substances BEFORE he was signed to the UFC, however, he knowingly failed to disclose their use when his onboarding into the UFC Anti-Doping Program was completed on June 16, 2025. "

Alvin Hines during his UFC 317 bout. Image: Getty

Hines, who won six fights in a row before making his Octagon debut, has accepted the one-year period of ineligibility for a violation of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy (UFC ADP).

In doing so, he admitted he 'lied' to the UFC about the consumption of anabolic steroids.

The fighter was fired by White after testing positive but he hopes for a second chance with the MMA leaders and promised to be an 'athlete the UFC can count on'.

In a post shared on Instagram, he said: "The UFC has made me the most grateful I've ever felt. I really don't know if I stopped smiling since I signed the papers not only for me but for all the people I knew I was going to give hope to. And regardless the outcome of mistakes I want to thank everyone for that opportunity I poor [sic] my heart into every fight and you guys let me do it on the best stage in the world, Thank you.

"I take full responsibility for this I lied when I shouldn't have. I was wavering heavily on being done fighting and was trying to thin down for MN summer I know that sounds dumb but the truth is dumb sometimes. I was helping some teammates finish a fight camp during this time is why I was still training hard. I was really let down myself daily in my head and heart for making the mistakes I did when I was younger waisting [sic] so much pursuing my fighting dream."

Hines added: "Yes I lied, Yes I except [sic] the consequences I am served. Yes I am truly sorry for letting everyone down. Yes I have learned and would never ever and had not touched anything at all since the dates I've submitted.

"I truly regret not believing my management team I really do. Yes I respect the rules of the UFC and cannot be more disappointed i myself. I let everyone down and broke the trust and for that I am sorry.

"Yes if given the chance I promise to never break any rules. I promise to be a great role model and athlete representing the UFC. I promise I will be an athlete the UFC can count on. I promise you will not regret giving me a second chance. I promise I will fight with everything I got every time I set foot in that cage. And I will always have a smile on my face because I honestly don't think anyone loves fighting for the UFC as much as I do I know it. Like I say regardless the outcome I am the only one to blame.

"So for the UFC I cannot put how thankful I am into words that you gave me this opportunity. This also goes to my fans, sponsors and team. I let you down and understand anything you choose to do. Much love."