Chael Sonnen Tests Positive

Chael Patrick Sonnen, popularly known as Chael Sonnen, has tested positive for elevated testosterone levels. The American mixed martial artist who competes as a middleweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship tested positive after his loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 117 in August 2010. The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) suspended Sonnen for fabricating testimony in a previous hearing while accounting for his failed drug test at UFC 117. Sonnen, under oath, said he had never taken anabolic steroids. Sonnen remarked that he provided full disclosure regarding his low testosterone levels on the pre-fight paperwork prior to his last two bouts and was receiving testosterone twice a week since 2008. He, however, has now been granted a conditional therapeutic use exemption for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. With this ruling, Sonnen can now use TRT while preparing for a fight against Anderson Silva on July 7 in Las Vegas. It was disclosed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission that Sonnen is required to stop receiving the testosterone injections prior to the fight at a date determined by NSAC executive director Keith Kizer. In addition to that, he is asked to submit a blood sample the day after the fight and the sample results should remain below the 6:1 testosterone-to-epitestosterone level accepted by the NSAC. NSAC physician Dr. Timothy Trainor, after testifying the medical records of Sonnen, testified that Chael Sonnen has a problem with Hypogonadism. Dr. Timothy added that it was appropriate to grant Sonnen an exemption but Sonnen needs to be “vigilant” in administering the dosage exactly as prescribed. Sonnen has the distinction of being a silver medalist at the 2000 Greco-Roman World University Championships and is a two-time Dave Schultz Memorial International Greco-Roman winner. He was an NCAA Division I All-American wrestler at the University of Oregon and is ranked as the No. 2 middleweight in the world by Sherdog as of June 2012. In 1997, he started his MMA career at the age of 19 by defeating Ben Hailey in Vancouver, Washington and then went on to defeat future ICON Sport Middleweight Champion and Strikeforce Middleweight contender Jason "Mayhem" Miller. Chael Sonnen made his UFC and light heavyweight debut at UFC 55 against former IFC Light Heavyweight Champion Renato Sobral, submitting to a triangle choke in the second round but avenged his first loss in MMA by wining a unanimous decision over Trevor Prangley at UFC Ultimate Fight Night 4. Sonnen has also been accused of money laundering and pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to a single count in a case wherein he and others involved in the deal steered a $69,091 kickback to the buyer. Sonnen agreed to give up his Realtor's license and pay a $10,000 fine as part of his plea deal, according to Michelle Holman Kerin, the assistant U.S. attorney handling the case. Sonnen fought Paulo Filho for the WEC Middleweight Championship in December 2007 and lost via a controversial submission at 4:55 of the second round. A rematch was scheduled but Chael Sonnen had to face undefeated WEC Middleweight contender Bryan Baker after Filho entered a drug rehabilitation program. Sonnen dominated Baker or three rounds to win a unanimous decision.