Bellator bantamweight Mike Richman has been suspended two years by the California State Athletic Commission and fined $2500 for violation of Rule 303 (Administration or use of drugs).
California State Athletic Commission Executive Director Andy Foster confirmed the suspension to The MMA Report on Tuesday following a report by Sherdog that Richman tested positive for an anabolic steroid.
“In regards to my positive test results for an Anabolic Steroid,” Richman said in a statement on Facebook. “I want to say that I lost the integrity in myself and the integrity of this sport. I will not sit here and deny that I took it or act like I didn’t know what I was taking or blame it on someone else. I am a cheat, plan and simple and there is no excuse or reason that is valid enough to dispute the reasons why I cheated the sport and myself by using it. I want to apologize to Bellator MMA for my actions.”
“I want to apologize again to my hard working Teammates who are not cutting corners and busting their asses off everyday in the gym to better themselves. I want to apologize to My head MMA coach Greg Nelson for making him and his gym the Academy look bad. He had no knowledge of me using at all. I want to make the same apology to my S&C coach Matt Miller of Horsepower strength and conditioning, he also had no knowledge of my use of this Anabolic Steroid.”
“I apologize to all my sponsors that support me, my family that loves me, and my friends and fans that cheer for me. I deserve every bit of backlash and hate I’m going to receive from the media and the fans of this great sport. I take full responsibility in my actions and the decisions I made. I also deserve the punishment the CA state athletic commission brought down upon me.”
In addition, Foster confirmed that welterweight Fernando Gonzalez tested positive for marijuana and he has been suspended 90 days since this is his second failed test for marijuana. Along with the suspension, Gonzalez has been fined $1,500 and the cost of the drug test.
Following the announcement of the suspensions by the California State Athletic Commission, Bellator released the following statement to the media and stated they stand behind the commission “100 percent.”
“Andy Foster of the California State Athletic Commission has notified us of two positive tests following Bellator 137, Mike Richman for PEDs and Fernando Gonzalez for marijuana,” the Bellator statement said. “We’ve been informed that these fighters will be subject to suspensions and a fines. We here at Bellator stand behind the commission 100 percent in this process and remain committed to keeping MMA clean of substance abuse.”