As if Strikeforce needed more bad news, the Nevada State Athletic Commission has announced that former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal has tested positive for steroids following his January 7 Strikeforce win over Lorenz Larkin.
Lawal, 31, defeated Larkin via second-round TKO on the Showtime-televised main card at “Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine” in Las Vegas.
Lawal tested positive for the anabolic steroid Drostanolone, which can be a prescribed medication, but is also used by athletes as a way to maintain strength while going through the weight cutting process.
The news comes just over a week after Strikeforce women’s featherweight champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos tested positive for the steroid Stanozolol, resulting in a one year suspension, fine, and her win over Hiroko Yamanaka being changed to a no-contest by the California State Athletic Commission, while Strikeforce also stripped her of the title.
Santos reportedly plans to appeal her positive test and will likely appear before the CSAC on April 6.
NSAC executive director Keith Kizer has not announced how Lawal will be disciplined, but a similar one year suspension, fine, and no contest are expected. Lawal can also appeal the result.
All other fighters tested at the event passed their drug tests.
