Derek Anderson suspended 120 days for falsifying Bellator 258 pre-fight medicals
Derek Anderson will be out of action for a while, but not solely because of the nasty broken nose he suffered in a loss to Michael “Venom” Page at Bellator 258 on Friday.
On Monday, Mohegan Sun Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation head Mike Mazzulli told MMA Junkie that Anderson (17-4 MMA, 8-4 BMMA) will be suspended 120 days for falsifying his pre-fight medical forms.
The suspension comes two days after Anderson posted on Instagram that during his fight camp, he went to the hospital four times for kidney failure According to Mazzulli, Anderson’s post is an admittance that he suffered kidney issues during his training camp – something he did not denote on his pre-fight medical forms.
“When you falsify a pre-fight medical form when they ask you about your health, that’s a concern of mine,” Mazzulli told MMA Junkie. “We’re worried about the fighters’ safety. That’s my biggest problem. I’m not going to take it lightly. It’s not OK.”
Mazzulli also provided MMA Junkie with a blank copy of the Mohegan commission’s pre-fight medical questionnaire, which includes questions such as, “Do you have any medical problems?” and “Do you have any injuries which may affect your ability to fight?”
Anderson, 31, will also need to pass a number of kidney medical tests in order to be reinstated. Such tests include renal MRI, nephrologist consult, renal ultrasound with doppler and blood tests for BUN/creatine, along with a CPK test. All hospital notes regarding the “kidney failure” must be forwarded to the commission. Anderson will also be required to visit a physician for four weeks straight during his next weight cut.
At the time of publication, Anderson had not responded to MMA Junkie’s request for comment.
Bellator 258 took place Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card aired on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.
