Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante (right) (photo courtesy of Strikeforce)

By Michael Hatamoto

Strikeforce light heavyweight competitor Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante tested positive for an undisclosed banned substance after his Strikeforce fight against Mike Kyle in May, effectively terminating a potential title matchup with Gegard Mousasi.

The Feijao vs. Mousasi fight would have been a battle of two former Strikeforce champions trying to earn the currently vacant light heavyweight championship.

The news was confirmed by the California State Athletic Commission’s executive officer George Dodd, though which banned substance Feijao tested positive for wasn’t disclosed.  Feijao has been suspended for one-year, and was issued a $2,500 fine by CSAC.

Since losing the Strikeforce light heavyweight title to Dan Henderson in March 2011, Feijao bounced back with wins against Yoel Romero Palacio in September and Mike Kyle in May.  CSAC hasn’t determined if his win against Kyle will be turned to a no contest, but that seems likely to happen.

Members of Feijao’s camp intend to appeal the suspension, and have replied to the CSAC positive test notification.