Rafael 'Feijao' Cavalcante Suspended
Posted on 16 Jun 2012
by MMAScoops.com Staff

Former Strikeforce champion Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante (12-3 MMA, 5-2 SF) tested positive for a banned substance after he defeated Mike Kyle at "Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Final."

California State Athletic Commission Executive Officer George Dodd did not reveal which substance was found, but Calvalcante will be suspended for one year.

Strikeforce have yet to release a formal statement. Cavalcante's manager, Ed Soares, said that they will "fight it", which means they'll file for an appeal.

Cavalcante forced Kyle to submit in just 33 seconds at the event, which aired on Showtime from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California on May 19. In addition to the suspension, Cavalcante has been fined $2,500. He earned a total of $66,000 for the event, $33,000 of which was from a win bonus. The victory will likely be overturned to a no-contest unless the appeal is successful.

It would have been Cavalcante's fifth win in six fights. His only defeat happened in a title loss to Dan Henderson in 2011. The win over Kyle would have likely granted Cavalcante a title shot against Gegard Mousasi for the vacant light heavyweight title.