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UFC's Chael Sonnen admits that he will continue to fight on TRT

Chael Sonnen is on record that he will fight on testosterone at UFC 136. (Bad intentionz at Wikimedia Commons)

In an interview that to the best of my knowledge has been slept on by the MMA media, Chael Sonnen recently spoke to Dave Meltzer for an article on Yahoo! Sports.  Maybe that's because Meltzer mainly focused on Chael's promo sizzle, rather than on the steak of whether his continued testosterone replacement treatment shadiness should be tolerated in the sport of MMA.  Scratch that, the MMA media is largely enamoured with Chael's mouth, so I'm completely befuddled as to why his latest put downs of Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida and Michael Bisping weren't passed around for everyone to yuck up.  But as I'm a bit of a curmudgeon, I'd rather dwell on Chael's admission that he plans to take testosterone for his fight with Brian Stann at UFC 136:

Sonnen ... said he would be competing on testosterone replacement therapy going forward ("Does a diabetic get to just take a break from insulin?" he asked)    

Ah yes, Chael still has irreversible hypogonadism, how could I forget?  The only problem is that Chael Sonnen has never actually proved he legitimately has hypogonadism by going through the rigorous medical testing that the likes of the Nevada State Athletic Commission and the California State Athletic Commission require a fighter to go through to be granted a therapeutic use exemption for testosterone.  Now that he's admitted in an interview that he's going to compete on TRT at UFC 136 there should be tremendous pressure on the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations to not just rubber stamp his usage of testosterone, but to force him to undergo the comprehensive testing that he has so far avoided before giving him the privilege of a TUE.  As Jack Encarnacao deftly illustrated with the case of George Hartman, the diagnosis of hypogonadism by an athlete's doctor can't be taken at face value, especially when Sonnen's personal physician was one of the comedic highlights of his first CSAC hearing:

Dr. Mark Czarnecki, D.O., Sonnen's physician, being a total embarrassment.  He testified in a T-shirt while chewing gum and may have been in no condition to perform testify.  He's not an endocrinologist or a urologist, but he's undergoing some sort of life extension/anti-aging training (no, that's not a warning sign at all).  When asked if he knew who "Dana" was, he answered "a high capacity...UFC...uh..." before being cut off.   He didn't know of any drugs that could lower natural testosterone levels (like steroids).   This was simultaneously incredibly uncomfortable and incredibly hilarious to watch.

Given that Chael seems to love overcoming adversity, I'm sure he won't mind the slight inconvenience of a going through a few medical testing hoops to prove that he's been telling the truth all along about needing testosterone to survive, just like diabetics need their insulin:

What is that quote, that obstacles are put in our way so we can show how bad we want to achieve something?" said Sonnen.  "That quote easily could have been said about me.  As for the height of interest, I am enjoying a level of infamy that I wouldn’t have without the past year.  I am adored.  I am despised.  I am feared and imitated.  No one sold a fight like me before I did, and now everybody is trying their hand at it.  In the past year, I have become a pioneer in MMA marketing.  I set the gold standard.  My tactics are the playbook for all self-promoting jock straps that have joined the sport.  And it’s flattering as it is embarrassing.  This past year’s events have been as much a blessing as a burden.

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If he stops now he’s basically admitting he was cheating. I hope the commissions hold his feet to the fire on this, but just quitting altogether looks bad.

by The so-called Beautiful on Jul 26, 2011 1:00 PM EDT via mobile reply actions  

It's not even that

Any athlete who’s been on the treatment for some time (read: a few months) whethere they legitimately need it or not endanger themselves if they suddenly stop and miss a treatment. I speak from the experience of family that is on similar treatment legitimately.

Bloody Elbow Grappling Editor.
Berate Me on Twitter @KJGould

by KJ Gould on Jul 26, 2011 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions  

I don’t think Sonnen should quit cold turkey for the reasons you mention, but he’s had plenty of time to quietly ween himself off testosterone if he was cheating or go to an expert endocrinologist, do a bunch of tests and get proof to show to the athletic commissions that he genuinely needs a TUE if he wasn’t. Given that there’s no evidence he’s done the latter, Sonnen seems to be banking on the Texas commission not calling his bluff on his open usage of TRT.

by Keith Harris on Jul 26, 2011 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions  

Thanks for the info.

Given all the misinformation around TRT, it’s helpful to have someone share first (or second)-hand experience.

by gzl5000 on Jul 26, 2011 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

TRT & PEDs are NOT Illegal!!!

TRT and PEDs are not illegal as long as they have a Dr.’s clearance. Many, many fighters use PEDs and TRT…most of your favorite fighters probably do or have used them at some point in their careers.

Every ignorant and uneducated “fan” out there thinks they know about something they clearly do not.

Get off your high horses people and let the commission do its job.

If they clear Sonnen or anyone else to fight while being administered TRT, then there is nothing wrong with it.

The only rule being broken is not providing the Dr.‘s clearance in due time. That’s it.

by JP Smith on Jul 26, 2011 2:12 PM EDT reply actions  

They can be legal

But above therapeutic levels, they’re still banned.

Bloody Elbow Grappling Editor.
Berate Me on Twitter @KJGould

by KJ Gould on Jul 26, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

TRT and PEDs are illegal if they’re used to performance enhance, whether they have a doctor’s clearance or not. Given that Sonnen failed a drug test, then that is very strong evidence that he was illegally super dosing to get a performance edge for his fight with Anderson Silva. So not only was Sonnen guilty of not applying for a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) for testosterone in time, but also having too much testosterone in his system at the time of his last fight.

If the Texas commission does its job properly, then they would want Sonnen to take several drug tests and seek advice from an expert endocrinologist before deciding on whether Sonnen legitimately deserves a TUE. The same requirements that you would have to go through to get a TUE at the Olympics or with the California and Nevada State Athletic Commissions.

by Keith Harris on Jul 26, 2011 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions  

Testosterone Doesn't Help

Also, testosterone is not the ideal PED for fighters. It is for body builders…but not fighters.

There are many other PEDs out there that aid in fight performance and that will not show up in a urine test if taken properly due to their short half-lives.

You guys hear or see the word “testosterone” and automatically think you know what you’re talking about.

Anyone who knows about these things would never spout of some ridiculous BS, even if they were not in agreement with their usage in professional sports.

by JP Smith on Jul 26, 2011 2:16 PM EDT reply actions  

That's an ill informed myth!

Victor Conte on how steroids & testosterone can help with endurance

"Trainers have told him that anabolic steroids help a fighter with power but not with endurance. That’s not correct. They can also help with endurance. As you know, steroids can increase red blood cell production and significantly increase Hematrocit levels. This has been the case with many professional bodybuilders that I’ve worked with. I’ve seen Hematocrit levels between 54% & 59% in bodybuilders that were not using EPO. So, steroids can help a fighter’s endurance by increasing their Hematocrit levels.
"Steroids help to promote anabolism, in part, by increasing cell volumnization and this can create muscle tightness or a pump. Sprinters actually run slower on steroids due to tightness compared to after they come off and return to a normal water balance. My experience is that a sprinter is about 2 meters faster over 100 meters once they come off steroids compared to when they are actually on steroids. A fighter would be slower when using steroids compared to after they come off steroids. In the old days, drug coaches used to use a 10 day taper period. However, most educated drug coaches have their sprinters go off for two weeks before competition. This is when the athletes run the fastest times.
"In short, testosterone can increase Hematocrit levels and after an adequate taper period can not only increase power and speed but also improve a fighter’s endurance as well."

by Keith Harris on Jul 26, 2011 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions  

Chaels Doctor

That doctor had just been diagnosed himself with terminal cancer, give the guy a break, and as for Sonnen you people need to grow up. He is on probation The feds have obviously oked his T use.I am sure he can pass any of the medical tests he needs to.It takes a blood test to show high T, Sonnen never was too high. People hate the truth. Google Marika Taylor and get a more factual account on Sonnen, she does her homework ,and gets the facts straight. Unlik Josh Gross and Director Dodd.

by Fred Troy on Jul 26, 2011 9:07 PM EDT reply actions  

hugely disappointed in dana white. this is a blantant case of commission shopping, something he said he would never do.

by timbo_slice on Jul 27, 2011 2:57 AM EDT reply actions   1 recs

There is no (citation ) I am close to this situation, and that is simply the truth about the doctor , Try 2.25 on The California hearing ( for starters) Lindland also sent an affidavid to the 2nd hearing saying he indeed told Sonnen Kizer had cleared him in Nevada Marika was at the hearing and filmed the whole thing. She is very credible.Sonnen is guilty of believing his Manager.Lindland also told Kizer this on the phone from the meeting in Nevada , did you forget these facts.

by Fred Troy on Jul 27, 2011 2:17 PM EDT reply actions  

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