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White slams 'insane' Sonnen saga

Chael Sonnen has been suspended indefinitely by the California State Athletic Commission © UFC

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UFC president Dana White believes Chael Sonnen has been treated unfairly after being suspended indefinitely by the California State Athletic Commission.

Sonnen recently served a six-month suspension for failing to disclose he was on hormone treatment before his UFC 117 title fight against Anderson Silva, only to be slapped with an indefinite ban last week.

The CASC cited Sonnen's recent federal money laundering conviction, as well as the controversial testimony given during his defence for abnormal levels of testosterone.

And White believes Sonnen's treatment is"insane" when compared to punishments doled out to professional boxers for more serious offences. Floyd Mayweather was charged with domestic violence last year, while Antonio Margarito was suspended for "at least a year" in 2009 for having illegal handwraps.

"Floyd Mayweather's been running around town punching everybody in the face - threatening people and doing all this stuff. You watch how fast Floyd Mayweather gets licensed," White said.

"Some of the things that [boxers have] done and some of the things that they've said - publicly and everything else - and look at some of the sentences that were imposed on them. You guys want to do some reporting? Report on that."

Last week's ruling, coupled with the recent decision to withhold Sonnen's realtor licence, effectively leaves Sonnen out of work. He cannot reapply for a fight licence before June 29, unless he once again takes on the CSAC, and although White admits the UFC does not "need" Sonnen, he believes he has been unfairly treated.

"Chael Sonnen's got a big mouth. Chael Sonnen says a lot of dumb shit," White said. "Whatever. Chael Sonnen served his sentence… a guy serves his sentence and now you're stopping the guy's ability to make a living?

"Is Chael Sonnen some huge marquee fighter? Am I out here like Chuck Liddell's in his prime, or Brock Lesnar, or Cain Velasquez - is he one of these fighters that I'm out here as the promoter going, 'I need this guy?' No.

"Chael Sonnen can fight or Chael Sonnen could ride off into the wind tomorrow. My business has to move on. It is what it is. I'm just speaking here today as a person saying I think what happened to Chael Sonnen is absolutely insane. It's unjust. It's unfair."

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