This past Tuesday, former Strikeforce fighter Muhammed ‘King Mo’ Lawal was fined $39,000 and saddled with a nine month suspension back dated to a Jan. 7, 2012 Strikeforce event.
Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director, Keith Kizer spoke recently about the sentencing as well as Lawal’s Twitter rant which led to the fighter’s release from Strikeforce.
Kizer, who was a guest on “The MMA Show with Mauro Ranallo” on Wednesday, noted that many fighters in the past have tried to blame a “supplement” for their predicament but shouldn’t expect the commission to “roll out the red carpet for you” because you claim to be innocent. Also, that when it comes to steroids, the NSAC feels very strongly against their use and will always issue a stiff penalty to those who break the rules.
“If you’re going to go do steroids then fight in Nevada, don’t expect us to roll out the red carpet for you…”
“Obviously (Lawal’s) answers on his pre-fight medical questionnaire were not 100% accurate, and that’s putting it nicely. It’s foundational to say that if you read, speak, and understand English, then why did you check no in the box?
“There’s always going to be tough questions. This is a very serious disciplinary matter and it was handled as such.”
“…The last three steroids cases we had were nine-month suspensions and a 30% fine,” Kizer said. “(The punishment) depends on what the drug is. The steroids are the ones we give the biggest penalty for.”
“… It’s not uncommon for an athlete to come forward and say, ‘It must have been this supplement, please believe me,’” Kizer said. “Well, (the commission) considers all the factors when they make those crediblity decisions.”
Also featured on Wednesday’s podcast was Muhammed ‘King Mo’ Lawal, Bellator welterweight Ben Saunders, and UFC middleweight Court McGee.