No live stream this time, so we'll be following Josh Gross, Steven Marocco, and Loretta Hunt on Twitter as they livetweet the hearing of UFC fighter Chael Sonnen over his California licensing status from a cramped conference room in Los Angeles. For all of the details about what led up to this, check out my post from a week ago when Sonnen's new suspension was announced publicly. I'll be heading out within half an hour and Kevin Haggerty will take over at that point.
Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive officer Keith Kizer will be testifying via video chat with California State Athletic Commission Executive Officers and Sonnen himself testifying in person.
Sonnen's lawyer Steven Thompson argued against Sonnen's interviews being admitted into evidence but didn't win out. He also insisted that Sonnen's felony conviction in Oregon should have no bearing on his licensing. Then he stressed the importance of the hearing to Sonnen since he's in line to coach the next season of The Ultimate Fighter again Michael Bisping, to be followed by a Middweight number one contender's match between the two.
Kizer has been sworn in.
He recalls talking to Sonnen's then-manager Matt Lindland in 2008 about a therapeutic use exemption but Sonnen's name wasn't mentioned.
He denies calling Sonnen a liar and a fraud during their meeting in March about Sonnen getting a second's license in Nevada. As Thompson went on about what Kizer did or didn't know, Deputy Attorney General Karen Chappelle objected to the line of questioning, saying the issue was what Sonnen knew, not what Kizer and Lindland knew.
Chappelle objects to Thompson's questions regarding when and what Keith Kizer knew.
Thompson is working hard to establish that Sonnen was informed by Matt Lindland that he was cleared in Nevada in 2008.
Kizer mentioned Gross when talking about his previous denials that he had talked to Sonnen. He also talked to Dodd during the December hearing, so now we know he heard it from the horse's mouth. Ariel Helwani mentioned too.
Heading out
Kizer, after a question from Commissioner Dr. Van Lemons, points to Sonnen's declaration and says it includes a false statement.
The last sentence in graph 22 of Sonnen's declaration states: "The NSAC told me to not declare testoterone injections in pre-bout medical questionnaire."
Kizer says that's untrue and that the Commission never told Sonnen that.
Hearing is now officially in a short recess.
We're back. Chael is sworn in and now testifying. Chappelle is asks Sonnen what he has done to rehabilitate himself.
Sonnen says that he never intended to make it sound like he had a conversation with Keith Kizer. Chael goes on to say that he is comfortable with the testimony that he gave in the December hearing.
Sonnen says Matt Lindland (who is currently in Poland and unable to testify) made it sound to him that he was cleared for testosterone replacement treatment in Nevada and California.
Chael states he is "handling licensing matters himself now" in the wake of his suspension.
Regarding his real estate fraud case, Sonnen says he received none of the kickback money that was involved.
Interestingly enough, Chael just stated that the UFC has offered him the opportunity to be a coach on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter television show. He goes on to say that if his license is suspended today, he will be "effectively retired", which came directly (according to Sonnen) from the mouth of UFC-boss Dana White.
Chael is now becoming emotional, stating: "I worked for this chance my whole life. I don't want to retire today. I am just asking you to let me go back to work."
Commissioner Anthony Thompson asks for details of Sonnen's real estate plea. Sonnen replies: "We did not set out to break the law."
Commissioner Giza says Sonnen has given contradictory statements that call into question his truthfulness and rehabilitation.
Dr. Van Lemons asks about Sonnen's TRT treatment, what he's taking and how he's taking it. Sonnen says he is monitored at least twice a month.
Sonnen continues by saying he understands he needed TRT for his "survival", and that he has the testoterone of a "93 year-old man."
Steven Marrocco, Josh Gross and Loretta Hunt all report that it's hard to not feel sorry for Chael, and that he has quite a different appearance than the one we have become accustomed to as fans.
Sonnen admits that he still uses testoterone. Dr. Lemons says he (Sonnen) needs a second opinion in order to keep using it.
Dean of Commission, John Frierson, has the following to say to Chael: "It's very hard for me to believe in your second chance."
The tone of the Commissioners leads Josh Gross to believe that they will not rule favorably for Sonnen. A two minute minute break has been called by Thompson.
We're back. Thompson asks to call CSAC Executive Officer George Dodd to testify on whether any athlete has previously been suspended for "white collar crime." Chappelle objects, but the testimony will be allowed.
Dodd says that no one under his watch has ever been suspended for white-collar crime.
The evidence that will be entered into the record is now being discussed. Rebuttal will follow.
So far, there have been no questions regarding what UFC officials knew about Sonnen's TRT. UFC Dr. Davidson declared last December that he was told in 2009.
Matt Lindland's declaration is not entered in its entirety into the record.
Closing arguments are beginning. Chappelle is first up.
Chappelle states that he feels like "Sonnen always has someone else to blame." He says that the commissions should stick together, and that he doesn't "know how you can ever really trust him." Josh Gross feels that Chappelle is weaving a picture of Sonnen as someone who does not tell the truth.
Thompson begins his closing statement by saying that Chael is a "fundamentally good person." He re-iterates that Sonnen's testimony is based on what Matt Lindland told him. He says that this shouldn't be "a game of gotcha" and asks Commissioners to consider White's words that no license means Sonnen's career is over.
Thompson says that he wishes, in hindsight, that they'd spent more time in previous hearing clarifying interactions with the NSAC.
CSAC discussing options for what to do with Sonnen's current suspension. Commissioners will now deliberate.
Dr. Van Lemons gets back to testosterone use, and says he has serious issues allowing its use in competition.
Options regarding Sonnen's possible suspension are being discussed. Commissioner Gene Hernandez makes a motion to uphold indefinite suspension. The motion is seconded quickly.
Sonnen lawyer Raffi Nahabedian takes use of public comment session. Marika Taylor speaks passionately on behalf of Sonnen.
Sonnen's mother is now speaking. She said she went to doctor with Chael and is convinced he needs testoterone, whether he competes or not.
Back to motion for indefinite suspension, which was seconded by Giza.
4-1, the motion passes. The indefinite suspension remains. Anthony Thompson was the only one on the Commission who voted to lift the suspension.