Alexander Shlemenko, according to MMAJunkie.com, failed his Bellator 133 drug test after soundly defeating Melvin Manhoef on Feb. 13 in Fresno, Calif. Apparently it was testosterone level related and not surprising given the trend in MMA right now.
MMAWeekly.com is reporting that California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster confirmed on Monday that Shlemenko violated the commission’s banned substance list. It did not reveal the substance Alexander popped for. Foster stated that Shlemenko had been indefinitely suspended and firmly fined $2,500. That is the maximum penalty currently allowed by California’s regulations and a very stiff warning to anyone else using banned substances. Shlemenko’s victory would be changed to a no contest.
Foster confirmed to MMAWeekly.com that another fighter, Emelio Chavez, who beat Art Arciniega on the prelims failed his drug test. Chavez received a 30-day suspension and was fined $100 because he tested positive for marijuana.
Banned substance tests coming back positive is quickly becoming a problem in MMA. Some say it is simply because there are better testing methods now that catch what has been going on since MMA started. Almost every major superstar has been accused at one time or another. When I was training at a UFC based gym back in the GSP vs. Matt Hughes rivalry days there was a heavily circulated rumor that GSP pulled out of a fight with a fake injury because he missed his “cycle off” time since he was a “regular steroid user”. Those accusations were so common back then and obviously GSP was not taking steroids or using them, however you want to put it. The point is that some accusations are turning out to be true. Even Fedor has been accused of using banned substances….Fedor.