Bellator's season 9 finale was capped off by Alexander Shlemenko's body shot KO over Doug Marshall in Pennsylvania last month. It was another great showing by the middleweight champ and brought an end to the run of "The Rhino" in Bellator's tournament. It is now being reported by The MMA Corner's Jason Floyd that Marshall's drug test results came back positive, and he faces a fine and suspension from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission:
Doug Marshall tested positive for a banned substance following his Bellator 109 bout against Alexander Shlemenko last month and has been suspended by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission.
According to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission website, the commission currently test for Amphetamines, Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Cocaine, Marijuana, Methadone, Methaqualone, Opiates, Steroids, Growth Hormones (HGH), Phencyclidine, Propoxyphene and Ephedra.
In a report published on MMA Junkie, Marshall has been suspended until February 7th of next year.
Marshall (18-7) won the Bellator MW tournament (and subsequent title shot) with a ferocious knockout of Brett Cooper, who ultimately fought Shlemenko for the title before Cooper did while Marshall was sidelined with an injury. This is the first instance I can recall of a Bellator title challenger failing a drug test, and according to The MMA Report, only 11 of the organization's 25 events held this year had confirmed drug testing.
Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney released the following statement:
"Greg Sirb at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission operates one of the best commissions in the country," Rebney said. "Doug Marshall will have to adhere to any and every penalty that the Pennsylvania Commission delivers. When competing at the highest level, fighters are expected to train and prepare for their fights according to the rules and should fully expect to be tested at every Bellator event."
So it's a double dose of bad for "The Rhino", who not only failed the drug test but was on the wrong end of a massive beating at the hands of Shlemenko. No word on what this means for future tournaments Marshall could compete in after his suspension is completed.