Former Bellator middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko failed his post fight drug test at Bellator 133 last month for multiple violations of rule 303 and his license has been suspended indefinitely by the California State Athletic Commission.
California State Athletic Commission Executive Director Andy Foster confirmed the drug test result with The MMA Report on Monday evening and also confirmed that preliminary card fighter Emelio Chavez has failed his post fight drug test.
“All fighters tested except Alexander Shlemenko and Emelio Chavez passed their in competition drug tests,” Foster said in a statement to The MMA Report. I have suspended Alexander Shlemenko’s license indefinitely due to a violation of rule 303. He is also assessed the statutory maximum fine of $2500.00. Additionally, should he wish to apply for licensure again when his license expires he will need to apply to the full Athletic Commission and be placed on the agenda. The win against Melvin Manhoef will be overturned to a no contest.”
According to the California state statues and regulations, Rule 303 is about “Administration or use of drugs” and the complete rule from the state statues is below.
§ 303. Administration Or Use Of Drugs.
(a) The administration or use of any drugs, alcohol or stimulants, or injections in any part of the body, either before or during a match, to or by any boxer is prohibited.
(b) A person who applies for or holds a license as a professional boxer and who has at any time had a positive drug test confirmed by any commission for any substance described in subsection (c) shall be required as a condition of licensure or renewal to provide a urine specimen. In addition, a licensed boxer shall provide a urine specimen for drug testing either before or after the bout, as directed by the commission representative.
(c) A positive test (which has been confirmed by a laboratory utilized by the commission) for any of the following substances shall be conclusive evidence of a violation of subsection (a):
(1) Stimulants
(2) Narcotics
(3) Cannabinoids (marijuana)
(4) Anabolic agents (exogenous and endogenous)
(5) Peptide hormones
(6) Masking agents
(7) Diuretics
(8) Glucocorticosteroids
(9) Beta-2 agonists (asthma medications)
(10) Anti-estrogenic agents
(11) Alcohol
Prior to Foster confirming the multiple violations of rule 303 to The MMA Report, Bellator MMA President Scott Coker released a statement to John Morgan of MMA Junkie.
“We are disappointed to hear about the results of Shlemenko’s drug test,” Coker stated. “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 defeated Manhoef by knockout at Bellator 133 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. He won the fight when he landed a spinning back fist and Manhoef fell immediately to the mat. It was the second straight fight that Manhoef has been defeated by knockout and the commission handed down a mandatory six month suspension to Manhoef.
The California commission has been increasing their drug testing program recently, which included testing the entire UFC 184 card last month. Those test results have not come back at this time and are expected to be back shortly. The commission wants to give the maximum penalties under the state law to any fighter that fails a drug test and increased penalties may be coming to the state.