King Mo suspended for nine months, released by ZUFFA (Update)
The Nevada State Athletic Commission held a hearing today concerning the positive steroid test of Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal and things did not turn out to well for the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight. Lawal was suspended nine months, fined 30 percent of his salary for the fight, and will surrender his win bonus. In addition, the fight result was changed to a no contest
On January 7, Lawal defeated Lorenz Larkin via a second round knockout. However, after the fight Lawal’s drug test came back positive for the steroid Drostanolone. Lawal stated that the reason for the positive test was an over the counter supplement S-Mass Lean Gainer a supplement he took to deal with a training camp injury.
One of the sticking points during the hearing, according to MMAJunkie.com, was the fact that Lawal did not disclose the supplement use or injury during his medical questionnaire. MMAJunkie also stated that a doctor representing the NSAC said that while the supplement could have caused the positive test, there was no way to prove that it was the sole reason.
The suspension is retroactive back to the January 7 fight date.
UPDATE: MMAJunkie.com is reporting that Lawal has been released from his contract:
In another devastating blow, former Strikeforce champ Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal has been released from his Strikeforce contract. UFC president Dana White today confirmed the news to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) but declined to comment on the release.
UPDATE #2:
It looks like Lawal’s angry tweet about NSAC commissioner Pat Lundvall is the main reason behind getting cut from the UFC. Former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight champ labeled Lundvall a “racist b*tch”, claiming that he was offended by “Can you read and speak English?” question, which according to Lawal, was in fact a racist remark.
Lawal spoke to Stephie “Crooklyn Daniels about yesterday’s chain of events, and (via BloodyElbow.com):
“I came in respectful. I apologized to them for my attire. I came in speaking English. When they asked the questions, I answered in a timely fashion. I felt I was disrespected by the woman’s comments. How are you going to ask a college educated, well traveled man if he can speak or read English? I’m speaking English right in front of you and I’ve been speaking English right in front of you for the past 15 minutes.I went there to tell my side of the story out of respect. I could have just stayed home, let the commission fine me and not made any effort, but I didn’t. I showed up there as a man to give my side of the story and take my punishment.
Zuffa made a decision just off what was said on Twitter. I don’t know if they care about what happened. I’m pretty sure they didn’t hear any of the audio. They just made a decision off what went down on Twitter. I’m pretty sure Keith Kizer and certain people at the commission are mad and I didn’t mean any disrespect to Keith or the rest of the people in the commission. I just felt disrespected by that one person that asked if I could speak or read English.To me, that was a blatant insult. Just listen to the audio. You’ll see.”
Stay tuned to LowKick.com for more.
