Former Bellator champion Alexander Shlemenko still plans to sue the California State Athletic Commission despite going to fight in Russia while serving a suspension.
Although Alexander Shlemenko eventually decided to return to fighting despite an active suspension in North America, he still plans to sue the California State Athletic Commission for their negligence throughout his particular doping case.
The former Bellator champion explained that he was scheduled for a hearing in December but it was delayed until July. He decided to remain active as a competitor in the meantime.
“I am a law-abiding person,” Shlemenko told MatchTV. “When the athletic commission had not responded to evidence of violations in the collection of doping tests through the loss of one of the tubes, and the lack of the B sample, I sued.
“The hearing was scheduled for December 2, and I was waiting for this date. But on December 2, the court postponed the trial for 7 months. I cannot sit around for so much time. I hope to win a court in July, but wasn’t going to sit in anticipation for another six months and ruin my career. I do not intend to do that.”
So Shlemenko began shopping around for potential fight in Russia and immediately received an offer from M-1 Global to fight in february. The quick turnaround interested Shlemenko, as did the prospect of a Grand Prix semi-final against a former champion in Vyacheslav Vasilevsky.
“I consulted with my family and with my manager Alexei Zhernakova, and decided to go back to fighting. I have a fire, I want to fight. Everyone has a purpose in the sport and my goal was to regain the Bellator title that I lost a year and a half ago. But if you tell me that I am not allow to perform in the United States, I will fight in Russia.”
Shlemenko did reveal that Bellator gave him written permission to perform under the M-1 Global banner.
“It had to come as written confirmation of their agreement. This issue is with my manager. I am sure that this side is all right because we always comply with all rules and regulations. Without Bellator’s permission, I have no right to fight wherever it may be.”