Heavyweight James Thompson Suspended 1 Year for Positive Steroid Test at Bellator 191

Veteran heavyweight James Thompson has been suspended for one year after testing positive for the steroid drostanolone at Bellator 191.

Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulations Executive Director Mike Mazzulli first confirmed the failed test to The MMA Report on Friday. In addition to the suspension, Thompson has been fined $2,000 and must provide a clean drug test in order to be relicensed.

Thompson failed an in-competition drug test administered by Mazzulli, who acts in a regulatory capacity for international Bellator events. Mazzulli, who is also the president of the Association of Boxing Commissions, revealed that drug tests for middleweight champ Rafael Carvalho, Alessio Sakara and Carlos Mirando at Bellator 190 in Italy the week prior were all negative.

Thompson was submitted 1:53 into the opening round by Philip De Fries at Bellator 191, which took place at Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, England, on Dec. 15. The card aired via tape delay on Spike in the United States. The 39-year-old Englishman has lost his last three fights.