Former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Muhammed Lawal has tested positive for anabolic steroids (Drostanolone) following his Jan. 7, 2012, technical knockout (TKO) win over Lorenz Larkin at the Strikeforce: "Rockhold vs. Jardine" Showtime event at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) Executive Director Keith Kizer today alerted MMAmania.com to the results of Lawal's drug test.
Also screened for performance enhancing drugs, as well as drugs of abuse were Luke Rockhold, Keith Jardine, Robbie Lawler, Muhammed Lawal, Tyron Woodley, Tarec Saffiedine, Tyler Stinson, Nah-Shon Burrell, James Terry, Gian Villante, Trevor Smith, Ricky Legere, Chris Spang, Estevan Payan and Alonzo Martinez.
Those fighters all passed with flying colors.
"King Mo" becomes the second high-profile Strikeforce fighter to test positive for steroids in recent weeks. Former women's champion Cristiane Santos was popped for Stanozolol following her Dec. 17, 2011, win over Hiroko Yamanaka.
Drostanolone, also found in previous drug test results from Josh Barnett and Hermes Franca, is popular among athletes and competitive bodybuilders because its "anti-estrogenic properties make it a very effective cutting agent."
Which is exactly the argument (cutting weight) Cyborg made in her recent statement.
Lawal has the right to appeal the results; however, if he's unsuccessful, he's likely to have his win over Larkin reversed to a "no contest," in addition to a steep monetary fine and one-year suspension of his fight license.
The weight cutting process has already suffered a black eye in the wake of Anthony Johnson's weight cutting fiasco back at UFC 142 and if fighters are now dependent on banned substances to try and make their contractual limits, things could continue to get worse.
Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more information on "King Mo's" drug test results as it becomes available.
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