Alexander Shlemenko is the latest high profile mixed martial artist to fail a post-fight drug test. The former Bellator MMA Middleweight Champion tested positive for an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio and is likely to be suspended by the California State Athletic Commission.
The failed test came after his victory over Melvin Manhoef at Bellator 133 on Feb 13th.
Whilst the ration of testosterone-to-epitestosterone hasn’t been released at present sources suggested that the levels were “significantly elevated.”
It is highly likely that the CSAC will overturn the result of the fight to a no contest which Shlemenko had won in spectacular fashion via spinning backfist.
Tony’s Thought’s;
It is almost unsurprising that at least one fighter from every card is being caught doing something they shouldn’t and that is a bad place for the sport of MMA to be in right now. Am I surprise that Shlemenko has been caught? Yes slightly, given his experience as a martial artist. He was clearly in a bad spot and needing to pick up the win to get back into the mix at Bellator but to turn to cheating is very embarrassing for him, his team and the sport.
If he is lucky enough to remain on the Bellator roster following this instance he will almost certainly be a long way removed from ever getting back into the title mix so the risk reward for this one has not worked out in his favour. Scott Coker has a hard line on PED’s and unless a miracle occurs I think we may have seen the last of “The Storm” in a Bellator cage.