UFC fighter handed one-year ban and fired by Dana White just weeks after making debut

A UFC fighter has been hit with a one-year suspension just weeks after making his promotional debut.

Alvin Hines made his first Octagon appearance at June's UFC 317 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

He took a fight against Jhonata Diniz on short notice following the injury to Justin Tafa.

Hines replaced Tafa and opened the UFC 317 card versus Diniz.

Despite having little time to prepare for his UFC bout, Hines fought hard and showed plenty of heart as he lost a decision, with each of the three judges scoring the bout 29-28 in favour of Diniz.

Less than a month on from UFC 317, Hines has tested positive for an anabolic steroid, resulting in a one-year ban and his release from the UFC.

He has accepted the one-year period of ineligibility for a violation of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy (UFC ADP).

Alvin Hines has been banned for one-year and fired from the UFC. 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 bout against Jhonata Diniz at UFC 317. Image: Getty

Hines won six fights in a row before being called up to the UFC, including five victories under the LFA (Legacy Fighting Alliance) banner.

The heavyweight fighter has not only been suspended for one-year but has also been let go by Dana White.

In a statement of his own, the 33-year-old admitted that he had lied about his situation as he consumed these banned substances before he was signed to the UFC but failed to disclose it.

"Yes, I lied. Yes, I accept 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," he said in a post on social media.

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