Strikeforce's Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante to appeal suspension with CSAC on August 8

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante will appeal his one year suspension for a failed steroid test when he meets with the California State Athletic Commission on August 8, according to a report from MMAJunkie.com.

Cavalcante was suspended last month after the drug test results came back from his May 19 bout against Mike Kyle. The former champion's first sample tested positive for the steroid stanozolol, and his camp petitioned the commission to test his "B" sample.

That sample was tested on June 26, and Cavalcante's camp had a drug expert present on that date. That same expert, along with a lawyer for Cavalcante, will be present for the appeal hearing on August 8 in Sacramento, Calif.

If his appeal fails, his suspension will run until May 18, 2013, one year from the date he was tested.

Penick's Analysis: If the "B" sample came back with different results from the first sample tested, Cavalcante will have a case; if not, he still may be able to argue himself down to a six month suspension, as the CSAC has historically lessened suspensions with even the slightest challenge from fighters. Still, it comes down to that "B" sample, because if it's different from the "A" sample he can argue that the first sample was tainted somehow, or that the equipment was compromised with that first test.

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