• UFC

Sonnen slapped with 12 month ban

ESPN staff
September 22, 2010
Chael Sonnen has 30 days to appeal the ban © UFC
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Chael Sonnen has been suspended for one year by the California State Athletic Commission after failing a drugs test.

Sonnen was informed last week of the results of his drugs test at UFC 117 in August, and now has 30 days to appeal the decision.

"The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) has suspended the license of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter Chael Sonnen, after Sonnen tested positive for steroids, a banned substance," read a statement from CSAC.

"A sample from Sonnen's August 6 drug test came back with a high T/E (testosterone-to-oestrogen) level, which is indicative of anabolic steroid use. CSAC learned of the results September 2 and ordered a second test, which also came back positive for steroid use. CSAC received test results from the second sample on September 14 and suspended Sonnen two days later. He is suspended for one year. Sonnen has 30 days to appeal the decision.

"'The use of anabolic steroids and other banned substances are not tolerated by the commission,' said CSAC Executive Officer George Dodd. 'Anabolic agents put the health and safety of both the user and his opponents at risk.'

"Sonnen's test was observed in the presence of a CSAC representative and the sample was sent to the World Anti-doping Agency test facility at the University of California, Los Angeles on August 6, 2010 for processing."

Should Sonnen fail in his appeal when the CSAC meets in December, Vitor Belfort could be in line to fight Anderson Silva for his middleweight title next year after he pulled out of his UFC 122 headline bout with Yushin Okami.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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