Kimo Suspended Six Months, Fined $5,000
Mike Sloan Aug 16, 2004
LAS VEGAS -- When are these fighters -- and professional athletes,
for that matter -- going to realize that drugs aren't the answer?
Once again in the aftermath of another UFC, one of the sport's more
popular figures has failed a urinalysis succeeding a fight.
Kimo Leopoldo, who was knocked out in the first round after tasting a vicious knee to the face from Ken Shamrock in their June 19 fight, tested positive for illegal steroids. After being tested by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) following the fight, a urinalysis showed the banned steroid Stanozolol, the same substance found in former heavyweight champ Tim Sylvia's urine, lingered in Kimo's system.
Kimo is now the third UFC fighter in two years who tested positive for illegal steroids, and when coupling that with the failed tests of both K-1 star Rick Roufus and boxing's Fernando Vargas, this parasitic turn of events is quickly eroding the fightsport's fledgling respectability.
Kimo, who has been suspended for six months from the NSAC and fined $5,000, may never get the chance to compete in the UFC again. Las Vegas Review-Journal's fight columnist Kevin Iole reported that UFC president White is outraged from the test results: "Bottom line is," said White, "guys have to learn to play by the rules or they're done with us."
Kimo Leopoldo, who was knocked out in the first round after tasting a vicious knee to the face from Ken Shamrock in their June 19 fight, tested positive for illegal steroids. After being tested by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) following the fight, a urinalysis showed the banned steroid Stanozolol, the same substance found in former heavyweight champ Tim Sylvia's urine, lingered in Kimo's system.
Kimo is now the third UFC fighter in two years who tested positive for illegal steroids, and when coupling that with the failed tests of both K-1 star Rick Roufus and boxing's Fernando Vargas, this parasitic turn of events is quickly eroding the fightsport's fledgling respectability.
Kimo, who has been suspended for six months from the NSAC and fined $5,000, may never get the chance to compete in the UFC again. Las Vegas Review-Journal's fight columnist Kevin Iole reported that UFC president White is outraged from the test results: "Bottom line is," said White, "guys have to learn to play by the rules or they're done with us."
