The saga of Ken Shamrock’s notorious Bellator 149 fight with Royce Gracie was a brought to a close today with the revealing of his drug test results. It had already been announced that Shamrock had failed a test and would be disciplined by the athletic commission, but what he tested positive for didn’t come out until today. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto has the info:
According to lab records, Ken Shamrock tested positive for nandrolone, methadone and elevated T/E ratio. Faces 1-year suspension.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) March 21, 2016
MMA Fighting is reporting that Slice tested positive for nandrolone as well. Shamrock’s T:E ratio was 12.4:1, and Kimbo’s was 6.4:1. The limit in Texas is 4:1
Nandrolone is an anabolic steroid, and is quite common. Multiple MMA fighters have been busted for it over the years including Sean Sherk and even Gracie himself. Methadone may be more concerning – it’s a synthetic opiate often used to treat morphine and heroin addiction. It also obviously works as a painkiller. James Irvin tested positive for methadone in 2008.
Shamrock has admitted to prior steroid use in his career.
He lost the Bellator 149 bout with Gracie by first-round TKO after taking a low shot that the referee missed. The 52-year-old protested vigorously, but the result was upheld.
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