After being fined $10,000 and suspended for three years for a positive drug test, many believed that Alexander Shlemenko would take the opportunity to compete in Russia, where he is a native of Omsk. However, it appears that he is not even considering that option until he files suit against the California State Athletic Commission.
The former Bellator middleweight champion tested positive for a banned substance several months ago, which was later revealed be an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio of 50:1 due to the steroid oxandrolone and oxandrolone metabolites. However, Shlemenko’s attorney’s main case is that his client;s B-Sample was not tested, which is an alleged violation of the agreement with the UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory in Los Angeles.
Fully aware that taking a fight in Russia would end his U.S. career permanently, Shlemenko confirmed that that was not his intention, as he planned to sue the commission for denying him due process.
“Now I do not consider such an option,” Shlemenko told Sports.ru with regards to fighting in Russia. “We go to court. I think this verdict can be explained by the fact that I’m Russian. Not in the sense that it is because of politics or something. Just that is unlikely that a foreigner decides to sue the commission in America. They thought they would give three years and I would disappear.”
While the majority of Shlemenko’s recent fight have taken place under the Bellator banner, where he is held to an exclusive international deal, he has been allowed to take fights in Russia. His most recent endeavor was last December, where he defeated Yasubey Enomoto on the Fight Nights card in Moscow. Given that the promotion has already considered matching him with Russian prospect Vladimir Mineev, it is unlikely that Shlemenko will be out of competition for the next three years.
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