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Zelaznik comments on Sonnen's failed drug test

Chael Sonnen plans to appeal his suspension © UFC

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Marshall Zelaznik has echoed Dana White by stating that it is up to the State Commissions, not the UFC, to determine the length of suspension handed out to drug cheats.

Chael Sonnen has been hit with a 12-month ban following his failed drug test at UFC 117, although the middleweight has confirmed his intention to appeal the decision. Currently, the suspension falls in line with punishments handed out to fighters who have previously failed drug tests, such as Hermes Franca and Sean Sherk (Sherk's was later reduced on appeal).

With such a high profile case as Sonnen, who had been set for a title rematch with Anderson Silva, suggestions have been made by critics that the UFC should meet drug cheats with a lifelong cut from its organisation. However, White recorded his feelings on the issue earlier in the week, and Zelaznik agrees that it is up to the sport's governing body to make the call.

"Dana has addressed the issue, it's a government entity that does the testing, so as a company Dana voiced our position that we leave it to the authorities to deal with it," Zelaznik told ESPN on Thursday.

"That's not to say that people in the UFC aren't concerned with fighters' safety. We just feel it's best that the Commissions that run the tests determine the consequences.

"So far all there has been is a test result. There is no background on [Sonnen] so there's still plenty of information to come out."

Asked for White's feelings on the Sonnen situation, Zelaznik merely stated that the UFC president is concentrating on making sure the wrestler's void is filled.

"Dana and Joe [Silva] back home are dealing with the effect of that, which is the need to get Anderson Silva a challenger. Dana's quote is 'everyday something bad's gonna happen'. That's really how the company deals with fighter issues, we take it as it comes because you never know how things are going to work out."

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