Muhammed 'King Mo' Lawal steroids suspension handed down: Nine months and $39,000 fine

Former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Muhammed Lawal, who tested positive for the anabolic steroid Drostanolone following a Jan. 7, 2012, win over Lorenz Larkin, had his hearing today in front of the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).

"King Mo," maintained throughout the process that he bought a supplement over the counter at Max Muscle and was unaware that it could ever turn up illegal. Because, really, you can't buy it at a store and have it be against the rules, right?

Wrong.

Drostanolone, also found in previous drug test results from Josh Barnett and Hermes Franca, is popular among athletes and competitive bodybuilders because its "anti-estrogenic properties make it a very effective cutting agent."

So when Lawal went in front of the commission today, with his back pressed firmly against the wall, he simply said he would take whatever punishment given "like a man." Good thing, too, because the hammer came down hard.

Lawal's punishment includes (per Josh Gross):

1. A nine month suspension applied retroactively to Jan. 7
2. A $39,000 fine. That number comes from the fact that he was fined 30-percent of his purse and had to return his win bonus.
3. His win over Larkin was overturned to a "No Contest."

Mess with the bull, get the horns. Or something like that.

On top of all this, Lawal also re-injured his knee in the Larkin fight. Not only that, he suffered from a "life threatening" staph infection that almost sapped his will to live.

Now, he's on the road to recovery. And at least he'll have the next seven months or so to hang back and get healthy. And hey, his pockets are a lot lighter, so that should help too.

Kind of.