On Wednesday Chael Sonnen received the news given by the Nevada Athletic Commission that he will be facing a 2 year ban from MMA fighting. The ban was given as a result of 2 random failed drugs tests which revealed that he had 5 banned substances in his system. The random drug tests were given as part of the lead up to his fight which was supposed to be against Vitor Belfort on the 5th of July in Las Vegas. He was pulled from the fight in the months before this match after he failed the first random drugs test. After this he announced his retirement from the sport where a second drugs test shortly followed and it was revealed the following banned substances were found in his system for a second time.
The banned substances were: anastrozole, clomifene, human chorionic, gonadotropin, human growth hormone and recombinant human erythropoietin.
Sonnen’s ban is not as bad as it could have been as many argue that for this number of banned substances in his system he should be facing a lifetime ban from the sport. Although despite this in addition to his 2 year ban he must reimburse the Nevada Athletic Commission for all fees incurred during the two failed drugs tests. He also had to agree to act as an educator to the commission and other fighters regarding the issue of performance-enhancing drugs.
During the hearing of this case Sonnen mentioned:
“I don’t want to say anything that comes off as an excuse, because I’m guilty. I’m ashamed,” said Sonnen during the hearing.”
He clearly knew what he was doing was wrong and accepts full responsibility for the actions that he has taken. Although this ban does not mean much for him with the announcement of his retirement from MMA, it does not look good for his name and for the sport as a whole.
