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Link: Rafael Feijao's Appeal Denied; One-Year Suspension Upheld by California Commission | MMAWeekly.com

Former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante‘s appeal to the California State Athletic Commission was denied on Monday.

Following a lengthy meeting between the fighter and his representatives, who were heard before the commission, the commissioners ultimately decided to uphold the one-year suspension first handed down earlier this year.

Cavalcante and his lawyer, along with manager and agent Ed Soares, appeared before the commission to argue their belief that the chain of custody of the sample taken from the fighter was handled incorrectly.

While they did state during the meeting that Cavalcante denies ever taking steroids, their argument with this particular case stemmed from a mishandling of the sample taken from the fighter prior to his bout against Mike Kyle in May 2012.

After a question and answer period and testimonies and rebuttals from all parties involved, the commission ultimately voted unanimously to deny the appeal and uphold the suspension.

Cavalcante’s manager Ed Soares continued to speak after the commission made it’s ruling, but they stated the matter had been heard and they were moving on to other business.

The former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion will now be forced to sit out until May 18, 2013, due to the one-year suspension.

The fighter is also responsible for a $2,500 fine levied against him by the commission from the suspension.