Chael Sonnen's positive drug test appeal hearing defence revealed
On 7 August 2010, Chael Sonnen took Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight champion Anderson Silva into the fifth round of their title bout before Silva submitted Sonnen via triangle
armbar. After the fight it was revealed that Sonnen had failed his prefight drug test, testing positive for performance enhancing drugs.
Sonnen’s appeal hearing is scheduled for 2 December and it has been revealed that Sonnen’s defence will be that he was taking medically prescribed testosterone while on a testosterone
replacement therapy (TRT) program. The hearing will determine if Sonnen will have to serve the one-year suspension that was handed down by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC).
TRT is not illegal, but fighters undergoing the therapy have to test at normal testosterone levels while undergoing treatment. The only big name fighter to have been approved for a TRT
exemption has been Dan Henderson. Henderson’s testosterone levels are so low that he tests below normal even when he is undergoing TRT.
In September, Sports Illustrated reported that Sonnen told CSAC executive director George Dodd that he had used an illegal substance before the Sonnen fight. “He only indicated that he
was taking it, but never indicated why,” said Dodd. “(Sonnen) just let me know he was taking and that’s when I called over an inspector to get it documented. But when you do take it you still have to show a medical reason.”
The statement from Dodd clearly indicates that Sonnen never informed the CSAC as to why he was taking an illegal substance. This fact will not help Sonnen in his defence.
Another strike against Sonnen is the fact that he did not apply for a TRT exemption in Nevada when he fought Nate Marquardt in Las Vegas in February 2010. Sonnen had no other fights between
the Marquardt bout and the Silva match. He did apply for and was granted approval for a muscle relaxer as well as an acne medication before the Marquardt fight.
The biggest question that Sonnen will face in his hearing will most likely be why did he not report this therapy before the fight? Why is this just coming to light months after the positive
test?
In addition to facing a one-year suspension, Sonnen can be fined up to $2500 for the positive drug test.
Tags: