Kirill Sidelnikov’s representatives believe nasal spray the fighter took outside of their care caused his positive steroid test, according to a press release issued by M-1 Global on Wednesday. However, doping officials question the explanation.

“[Stanozolol] can be used in various forms, but is not something that would be found in a decongestant nose spray,” said Erin Hannan, communications and outreach director for the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

Sidelnikov (5-3) was suspended for one year for producing a positive urinalysis test for the steroid Stanozolol, announced the California State Athletic Commission on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old Russian Red Devil prospect was on the losing end of a heavyweight standup battle against Paul Buentello at Affliction “Day of Reckoning” on Jan. 24 in Anaheim, Calif. The bout was stopped in the third round after a ringside doctor decided Sidelnikov (5-3) had taken enough punishment from the more experienced Buentello (27-10).

Sidelnikov will be eligible to re-apply for licensure in California after Jan. 18, 2010 and will pay a $2,500 fine.

M-1 Global officials believe the fighter ingested the prohibited drug through the spray given to him by a coach “not affiliated” with the St. Petersburg-based organization. M-1 said the fighter had been suffering through “complications from a broken nose” and sought out relief to continue his training for the Jan. 24 bout.

Stanozolol, known by its street name Winstrol, is commonly used in horse racing and bodybuilding circles.

“Like other steroids, it can enhance the ability to build proteins and has been abused by athletes in the past to try and increase muscle size and strength,” said the USADA’s Hannan. “And like other steroids, Stanozolol may cause damage to the liver, as well as having been reported to have adverse effects on the nervous system.”

Sidelnikov’s camp said validity of their claim could be found in the fighter’s doughy physique.

“If he had been using large amounts of Stanozolol on a regular basis, we believe that the frame of his upper body would have contained leaner muscle that had more definition,” read the release.

Sidelnikov is not the first fighter flagged for Stanozolol in California. UFC veterans Kimo Leopoldo and Phil Baroni, who also came up positive for Boldenone during the same testing, were also suspended by the CSAC for allegedly taking the drug.

The CSAC refrained from commenting on the M-1 release.