Shlemenko retains lawyer for upcoming CSAC hearing

Bloody Elbow reports that Bellator middleweight Alexander Shlemenko has hired attorney Howard Jacobs to represent him to dispute the findings of a positive drug test from his February fight against Melvin Manhoef.

Shlemenko will appear before the California State Athletic Commission on April 28^th to apparently dispute the findings.  Shlemenko has denied using any banned substance and wants to clear his name.

Jacobs is a lawyer with experience in drug testing cases.  He has previously represented cyclist Floyd Landis and track stars Marion Jones and Tim Montgomery.  He’s also worked with fighters Chael Sonnen, Rafael Cavalcante and Sean Sherk per MMA Junkie.  Whether or not he likes the moniker, the USA Today described him the “Johnnie Cochran” of drug testing back in 2006.

Shlemenko’s representatives have requested that CSAC provide the complete laboratory documentation package as it is believed to have “extremely unusual and questionable findings” according to a statement issued by Shlemenko.

MMA Junkie reported that the former Bellator champion had a “significantly elevated” testosterone ratio.

Payout Perspective:

It will be interesting to see what irregularities or questionable findings that will be discovered in the CSAC lab package.  We will see if there were any procedural errors in the collection of the lab tests which might negate the findings.  Or, if there were any other issues with the test results.  Jacobs is an experienced attorney in this realm and should be able to put on a strong defense for Shlemenko.  This is the second time in recent weeks that a fighter has retained counsel in light of challenging a drug test.  You may recall Nick Diaz retained a New York law firm in representing his interests for a failed drug test.