Gegard Mousasi, Alexander Shlemenko pass drug tests prior to Bellator 185 headliner

Gegard Mousasi and Alexander Shlemenko both passed drug tests in advance of their Bellator 185 headliner.

Shlemenko (56-9 MMA, 12-3 BMMA) passed two out-of-competition tests for drugs of abuse and performance-enhancers, while Mousasi (42-6-2 MMA, 9-3 UFC) passed one, Mike Mazzulli of the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulations today told MMAjunkie.

The Mohegan commission regulates tonight’s Spike-telvised event at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

The clean tests cleared the way for the middleweight fight, which is likely to serve as a title eliminator. Mousasi and Shlemenko both made weight on Thursday. Mazzulli said the competitors will also be tested tonight.

Bellator President Scott Coker previously told MMAjunkie Shlemenko was targeted for additional drug testing due to a previous positive test for the steroid oxandrolone and its metabolites, as well as an elevated T/E ratio. Originally suspended three years, his term was reduced to one year, ending in February 2016. During his suspension, he fought overseas in Russia before returning to the Bellator cage in October 2016 at Bellator 162.

Mousasi was well aware of Shlemenko’s past and believed the Russian had doped. He requested additional drug testing to Bellator, which left the decision to Mazzulli, who’s conducted drug testing on the promotion’s behalf in overseas jurisdictions in addition to his job with the Mohegan commission. Shlemenko passed his first test this past month.

“Let’s be honest: He’s been caught for 50 times the testosterone amount of a normal human being, so he definitely has cheated before,” Mousasi said. “But this time, he tested clean. So far, so good. I want to have fighters that are clean. I’m a clean fighter, so I want my opponent to be clean.”

Mousasi said one of the reasons he signed with Bellator was their receptiveness to his requests for additional drug testing.

“I don’t want to have a guy who’s physically or mentally twice as strong who normally wouldn’t be that,” Mousasi said. “I want to fight a clean fight. In a clean fight, I’m not worried. I know what I can do.

“When the sport is clean, I’m one of the best fighters. We’ve seen a lot of people who didn’t perform after (U.S. Anti-Doping Agency). All I’m asking is a fair opponent.”

Mousasi hopes to capture the middleweight title before moving to the light heavyweight division, where he’ll have to cut less weight. He’s currently on a five-fight win streak and is the No. 6 fighter in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA middleweight rankings. Shlemenko has won six of his past seven bouts and hopes to win back the Bellator belt he previously held for one year.

For more on Bellator 185, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.