Well, it appears that Kimo Leopoldo has tested positive for a banned substance and will not be allowed to fight Bas Rutten in Saturday nights WFA card. The California State Athletic Commission informed WFA CEO Jeremy Lappen that Kimo had failed a urinalysis test and would not be able to compete.
For a short period, Team Hammer House fighter, Wes Simms, agreed to take the fight in Kimo’s place and face Bas. However, MMAWeekly.com is now reporting that:
Sims was told that the California State Athletic Commission’s rules would not allow him to compete twice within a seven-day span, which means that he would have to pull out of his scheduled fight on the WEC’s Ryan Bennett Memorial Event on July 28th in order to take the WFA co-main event fight. Mark Coleman reportedly told Sherdog’s Josh Gross that Sims has chosen to fight on the WEC card, which would mean that he would not be allowed to fight on the WFA card.
This is not the first time Kimo has tested positive for a banned substance. You may remember that he tested positive for Stanozolol after his fight with Ken Shamrock at UFC 48. The Nevada State Athletic Commission suspended Kimo after that incident, and Kimo has since served his full suspension, but hasn’t fought in the continental US since.
Hopefully, the WFA can find a replacement for Bas to fight, but it is not only one day before the event and I don’t know if that will happen. This really is a huge disappointment not only for Bas Rutten, but for all the MMA fans who have been eagerly awaiting his return to MMA competition.
Also to note for the WFA card, Sherdog.com is reporting that Jose “Pele” Landi-Jons also has pulled out of his fight scheduled for Saturday night.
In a totally unrelated set of circumstances, the WFA on Wednesday learned that Jose Landi-Jons (Pictures) would not be able to compete against Edwin Aguilar (Pictures). Though the reason for Pele’s absence remains unclear, Danish striker Martin Kampmann has been signed to fill the hole left by the veteran Brazilian.
** UPDATE **
In another turn of events, MMAWeekly’s Jeff Cain spoke with Sims again this morning who was on his way to the airport to fly to California. He said that he is the replacement for Kimo if he can get his medicals done in time.
Apparently, Sims was told that if he is not cut or knocked out in the bout with Bas Rutten, that he would be able to compete on both the WFA show at The Forum in L.A. and also on the WEC’s benefit show on July 29th.
Sims was concerned whether he’d be able to get the medicals all completed in time, as California is one of the most stringent states in the country, but is ready to face Rutten on Saturday night.
Whether or not he will actually be the one in the cage tomorrow night is now in the hands of the athletic commission.
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This was Kimo’s final shot on a big show no doubt. I seriously doubt they will be able to find a replacement on such short notice. It would have to be someone approved by the CSAC recently.
Yeah, its going to be tought to find someone that has their medical papers all in orders and who can take the fight. I’m pretty disaapointed. Bas is the guy I wanted to see in action.
It’s still going to be a great card even without Bas, but I would have loved to see what he has left in the tank.
What happened with this match?
How finished this match? Did anybody know this?
wow this thread is old lol, Bas ended up fighting a guy named Ruben Villareal who he finished in the first round with leg kicks.