And the MMA failed drug tests continue.
Former Bellator middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko failed a post-fight drug screening with elevated testosterone levels after his knockout win over Melvin Manhoef on Feb. 13 in Fresno, Calif., Bellator officials confirmed with MMAFighting.com on Monday night. MMAjunkie was the first to report the news.
Shlemenko has been suspended indefinitely and fined $2,500 by the California State Athletic Commission, CSAC executive officer Andy Foster told MMAFighting.com. His victory over Manhoef has been overturned to a no contest.
“We are disappointed to hear about the results of Shlemenko’s drug test,” Bellator MMA president Scott Coker said in a statement. “As I’ve stated previously, performance-enhancing drugs have no place in this sport, and Bellator fully supports the commission in enforcing harsh penalties to deter fighters from taking banned substances.”
Shlemenko (52-9) finished Manhoef with a spinning backfist in the second round. It was his second straight win after losing the Bellator middleweight title to Brandon Halsey last September.
Shlemenko, 30, a native of Russia, held the Bellator belt for 19 months following Hector Lombard’s departure from the organization to the UFC.
This is just the latest in a rash of failed drug tests in MMA. UFC legend Anderson Silva, Jon Fitch and Lombard, among others, have all popped positive for performance-enhancing drugs since 2015 began.
Also at Bellator 133, Emelio Chavez tested positive for marijuana, sources confirmed with MMAFighting.com. Foster said he’ll be suspended 30 days and fined $100 plus the cost of the test.