Former Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal tested positive for the anabolic steroid Drostanolone at the Jan. 7 "Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine" event.
That's according to Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer, who today emailed the event's drug-testing results to MMAjunkie.com (
www.mmajunkie.com).
When today contacted by MMAjunkie.com, Lawal denied using any banned substances.
All other fighters from the Las Vegas show tested negative for performance-enhancing drugs and drugs of abuse.
Lawal (9-1 MMA, 4-1 SF) scored a second-round knockout of Lorenzo Larkin at the event, which took place at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Lawal, who was fighting for the second time since losing his Strikeforce belt, fought in the night's Showtime-televised main card.
Barring a successful appeal, Lawal faces a one-year suspension, a fine, and the overturning of the win to a no-contest.
Drostanolone (also known as Drolban or Masteron) often is used as a diuretic among weight-cutting and recovering/injured athletes, according to various online sources.
Other fighters tested at the event include Luke Rockhold, Keith Jardine, Robbie Lawler, Tyron Woodley, Tarec Saffiedine, Tyler Stinson, Nah-Shon Burrell, James Terry, Gian Villante, Trevor Smith, Ricky Legere, Chris Spang, Estevan Payan and Alonzo Martinez. All tested negative.
Source: Strikeforce's 'King Mo' Lawal tests positive for anabolic steroid, fighter denies use
