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Suspensions and Fines for Four Bellator 127 Fighters that Failed Their Drug Tests

The four Bellator 127 fighters that failed their post-fight drug tests for the event that took place on Oct. 3 in Temecula, Calif., were handed their punishment by the California State Athletic Commission on Tuesday.

All 22 fighters on the card were drug tested, but Keith Berry, Nick Moghaddam, Rob Emerson, and Fernando Gonzalez were the ones who tested positive for banned substances.

SEE ALSO: Bellator 127 Fight Highlights Video

Berry and Moghaddam both tested positive for marijuana and an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio exceeding California’s limit of 4-to-1. Berry’s victory over Joe Pacheco was changed to a no contest. He was also suspended for 300 days and fined $2,500 (25-percent of his fight purse). Modhaddam was also suspended 300 days, but his fine was $1,000 or 50-percent of his fight purse.

Emerson tested positive for Modafinil, a substance that improves cognitive functioning, wakefulness, and energy, according to the British Journal of Sports Medicine. He received a 270-day suspension and $2,500 fine, which amounted to 35.7-percent of his fight purse.

Gonzalez tested positive for marijuana and was suspended 30 days and fined $315 (2.65-percent of his purse).

The penalties were confirmed to MMAWeekly.com by CSAC Executive Director Andy Foster.

“I want to make very clear that under new management, Bellator will simply not stand for performance enhancing drugs inside our cage,” Bellator president Scott Coker said last Friday after finding out about the failed drug tests. “We fully support the California State Athletic Commission in their process, and stand by any disciplinary action handed out by Commissioner Andy Foster and the CSAC. Fans, media and our athletes need to have a clear understanding that drug use will simply not be tolerated by Bellator.”

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