Alexander Shlemenko fails drug tests, fight with Manhoef NC
Former Bellator middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko has reportedly tested positive for an elevated T/E ratio, following his win over Melvin Manhoef.
MMAjunkie‘s John Morgan is reporting that former Bellator middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko has tested positive for an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio, following his win over Melvin Manhoef at Bellator 133 on Feb. 13 in Fresno, California. California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy told MMAJunkie that Shelemenko failed two drug tests, but did not offer any specifics, citing state privacy laws.
In a normal male body, the T/E ratio, is approximately 1:1. Natural variation occurs from individual to individual, and the World Anti-Doping Agency designates anything over 4:1 as a positive test. There is no word on what Shlemenko’s test results were.
We are disappointed to hear about the results of Shlemenko’s drug test, said Bellator MMA CEO Scott Coker. 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.
The CSAC changed the win to a No Contest, find Shlemenko the statutory maximum of $2,500, and has suspended the fighter indefinitely. Foster has moved aggressively against PEDs, testing entire cards, and paying for it out of the state budget.
“We want to create an environment of deterrence,” he said recently. “We’re not trying to suspend people or take their money, but the athletes need to know that when they come to California, we have the resources, the means and the will to do this.”
Indeed they do.
