Former Bellator middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko will be making his return to the U.S. this fall against Kendall Grove at Bellator 162. The news was first reported by ESPN, and was later confirmed by MMA Fighting.
Shlemenko last fought for Bellator in February 2015 where he knocked out Melvin Manhoef. However, that victory was overturned to a no contest after the Russian middleweight tested positive for steroids in a drug test administered on fight night. Shlemenko was subsequently suspended for a year and fined $5,000 by the California State Athletic Commission.
Unable to compete in the U.