Skip to content

Mike Richman fails drug test, receives 2-year suspension from MMA

Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA TODAY Sports

Members of the mixed martial arts community - composed of state athletic commissions and several different fight promotions, including the UFC - weren't joking when they said they were going to begin severely punishing substance abusers.

The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) committed to that promise Tuesday, handing down a punishing 2-year suspension to Bellator bantamweight Mike "The Marine" Richman, who tested positive for anabolic steroids following his loss to Eduardo Dantas at Bellator 137 on May 15.

The two-year suspension is unlike any other, in terms of its length. CSAC and the Nevada State Athletic Commission typically hand down nine-month or one-year suspensions to fighters who test positive for steroids, in addition to fines.

Richman took to Facebook to release an official statement. Here's an excerpt:

I want to apologize to My head MMA coach Greg Nelson for making him and his gym the Academy look bad. He had no knowledge of me using at all. I want to make the same apology to my S&C coach Matt Miller of Horsepower strength and conditioning, he also had no knowledge of my use of this Anabolic Steroid. I apologize to all my sponsors that support me, my family that loves me, and my friends and fans that cheer for me. I deserve every bit of backlash and hate I'm going to receive from the media and the fans of this great sport. I take full responsibility in my actions and the decisions I made. I also deserve the punishment the CA state athletic commission brought down upon me.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox