King Mo Lawal Admits Steroid Use

StrikeForce light heavyweight accused of steroids

In a dramatic turn of events former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Muhammed Lawal, who recently displayed a dominant win over Lorenz Larkin has tested positive for an anabolic steroid called Drostanolone by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).

According to MMA analysts, Drostanolone, is popular among fighters and bodybuilders because its "anti-estrogenic properties make it a very effective cutting agent."

However, Lawal maintains that he did not knowingly take the steroid but will not file an appeal before the NSAC. Lawal’s manager instead claims that his fighter ingested a supplement called S-Mass Lean Gainer by Rock Solid, which Lawal says he bought at a Max Muscle store in California in 2010.

According to other MMA websites and sources, S-Mass Lean Gainer, was marketed as "the most powerful designer anabolic ever created," and later taken off store shelves in mid-2011. That means it was bought in 2010, removed from stores in 2011, found in Lawal's system in 2012.

Lawal insists he did not know the ingredients of the said supplement were steroids and vehemently relays to the MMA community that he had no intention of take anything illegal. Disappointed naturally, many MMA fans have taken a firm opposition to fighters who take illegal substances.

Other fighters who have been linked to illegal substances are Josh Barnett, Hermes Franca, Nate Marquardt, and most recently Strikeforce Women’s Lightweight Champion Cris Cyborg. Cyborg has been stripped of her title for testing positive for Stanozolol and her fighting license suspended for a year along with $2,000 fine.

It will be interesting to see as the MMA sport continues to grow how promotions along with UFC will handle any fighters who are linked to illegal substances.