The Nevada State Athletic Commission filed a complaint against UFC Light Heavyweight fighter Stephan Bonnar on Wednesday in which they claim Bonnar tested positive for Boldenone, a banned substance.

Boldenone is an anabolic steroid that is intended for use only by veterinarians, specifically to help rehabilitate injured horses. It has several brand names for veterinary use, including Equigan, Equipoise, Ultragan, and Ganabol. It is on the banned substances list of all the major athletic commissions and sports leagues.

Boldenone is not generally a popular drug among bodybuilders because of the fact that traces of the drug remain in the user’s system for several months after use. According to Food and Drug Administration filings, which cited the Office of New Animal Drug Evaluation, Boldenone is intended for use by veterinarians as “an aid for treating debilitated horses when an improvement in weight, hair coat, or general physical condition is desired.”

The FDA filings added, “Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.” Due to potential health risks for humans, the FDA has gone so far as to say that Boldenone “should not be administered to horses intended for human consumption.”

Source: MMAWeekly.com

Bonnar can be fined up to a maximum of $250,000 in this instance and the NSAC can suspend him from fighting as long as they see fit. Most prior suspensions have ranged from three to twelve months.

According to the NSAC complaint, Bonnar has 20 days to respond to their formal complaint. If he does respond, a formal hearing with the NSAC will be set where the five-member regulatory body would make a ruling on Bonnar’s fate.

I’m not certain what to think or even make of this news. There was some talk that the rematch with Forrest Griffin might not even take place due to an injury and/or illness of Bonnar. Maybe he was taking the steroid to heal up quicker? I honestly have no idea.