MMA Junkie reports that Bellator 149 competitors Ken Shamrock and Kimbo Slice tested positive for the same steroid. Each fighter faces a one-year suspension and a $5,000 fine per the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
The February 19 card featured Shamrock against Royce Gracie and Slice against Dada 5000. The event was the highest-rated Bellator show ever on Spike TV.
Shamrock and Slice were found with the steroid nandrolone according to urine test results. Shamrock also tested positive for methadone.
The State of Texas is offering the fighters a settlement for coming into compliance that offers a reduced punishment of a $3,000 and a license revocation.
Payout Perspective:
The test results reveal an even worse case scenario that what we had previously. Not only did these over the hill fighters embarrass the sport of MMA with their respective fights, Shamrock and Slice failed drug tests for using steroids. One would think that with the use of these drugs, their performances would have been better. Alas, that did not happen.
The question for the company is can Bellator address this issue with a comprehensive anti-doping program like the UFC or would cause too much of a financial burden on the company. Bellator can always rely on state commissions to test fighters but it’s clear that this may not be working.
Methadone? Isn’t that what they give recovering heroin addicts?
these fights were entertaining – and all pro athletes are entertainers. Relax with classifying older fighters as embarrassing – older people fight too. Both fighters need revenue and Bellator provided the opportunity for each to earn.
UFC provides no revenue for either fighter.
@Diego: Yes. I think it can be used as a painkiller.
Well you really let them have it didnt you Cruz…lol. Yes, methadone is an weaker opiate that you use to ween heroine addicts off gradually. Both of these men are older, im sure have more than their share of chronic injuries as well as the odd acute injury again simply from their ages.