Chael Sonnen Reportedly Tests Positive for PED's at UFC 117
by Geno Mrosko on Sep 19, 2010 11:26 AM EDT
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I can't help but sigh and shake my head. If these reports are true, and it certainly appears they are, Chael Sonnen's stock just shot all the way to the floor. From Sherdog comes the report:
According to California State Athletic Commission Executive Officer George Dodd, Chael Sonnen has been notified that he failed post-fight drug screening following his loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 117, which was held Aug. 7 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif.
"[Sonnen] received his notice yesterday," Dodd told Sherdog.com.
I'm not even sure what to say to this. There has been no word from Dana White or the UFC. Sonnen has so far been quiet. Does this mean the rematch won't be happening? Vitor Belfort is already scheduled to fight Yushin Okami at UFC 122 in Germany. Who does that leave? Nate Marquardt comes to mind. You would think he would be happy about this but he had this to say on his Twitter:
Ok so sounds like it's confirmed that Sonnen failed drug test when he fought Silva. Apparently he was taking meds 4 flu n that made positive
He later goes on to say that, that is "just a rumor like everything else, I guess". It should be noted that Marquardt failed a drug test after his UFC debut against Ivan Salaverry at the inaugural Fight Night. I have no idea if flu medication could cause a false positive. It sounds odd to me but I suppose it could be true. If that is the case does it change your opinion on this failed test?
No matter what happens this is devastating to the UFC. They really wanted this rematch to happen and in my opinion, they really wanted Sonnen to win the title. He's proven to be extremely marketable as opposed to champion Anderson Silva, who has historically struggled to draw. Even after a definitive result in the first fight, the UFC immediately set up a rematch. Usually it takes some controversy. I suppose now we have it albeit not the kind of controversy anybody wants.
What made Sonnen such a star is the same thing that will help to bury him here. All that talking he did leading up to the fight looks a lot different now then it did yesterday. If anything, Silva looks even more untouchable. So what will Dana White and the UFC do? They could try to spin it but don't expect that. White will have to shoot straight if this is true. The scrutiny will be heavy. More as it becomes available.
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Yeah, I saw this via BE and blogged about it on my site. Initial thoughts, obviously, are of disappointment. I’m going to wait for the story to fully develop as it’s really easy to jump the gun on certain things, but yeah, it doesn’t look good. You can’t help but think the rematch with Silva will be called off.
Ironically if Belfort steps in, that’s another PED positive performer since Belfort tested positive after his fight with Dan Henderson in Pride. Belfort lost that fight, and the trend seems to be the majority that test positive after a fight they lose (the exceptions being Barnett beating Couture, and Sherk beating Franca – though both tested positive).
There has been, though, something noticeably fishy about CSAC for a number of years with their own internal controversies and corruption.
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Also, if it’s flu medication, of course there’s a way to spin it.
“Chael Sonnen beat Anderson Silva for 4 and three-quarter rounds while suffering from flu. Imagine what he could do if he was healthy.”
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Could be. Although, if it was flu medication, you can bet Sonnen will fight it. I mean look, Sherk tested positive for nandrolone (which naturally occurs but he had an unnatural amount in his system by their estimates) and they halved his 1 year suspension. As Bas Rutten said on Inside MMA “Does that mean he’s only half guilty?”. The whole handling of the Sherk case was bizarre to say the least.
Steroid abuse is the pariah of sports, so if it’s not steroids then there’s less of a fallout. And as we’ve established it’s not a narcotic since that side of the test turned up clean.
Best case scenario is flu meds, and that brings up more questions then answers especially about why it would trigger a positive to begin with.
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People are saying flu medication could cause a false positive. I don’t know. Still waiting to hear what the CSAC says he tested positive for.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
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by Geno Mrosko on Sep 19, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Unless Chael Sonnen has some damn good evidence, I don’t see why we should buy the flu medication excuse, given that he’s a proven compulsive liar. “I never did an interview with Larry Pepe. I never spoke of Lance Armstrong ever. Never, not until just now” – Chael Sonnen to Ariel Helwani.
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