By FCF Staff After reports surfaced earlier this week stating that UFC middleweight Chael Sonnen had allegedly tested positive for performance enhancing drugs, following his submission loss to Anderson Silva in August, the California State Athletic Commission has finally released a statement concerning the matter.
CSAC Executive Officer George Dodd informed FCF of the following press release today, which has been posted on the CSAC official site:
SACRAMENTO – 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.
A sample from Sonnen's August 6 drug test came back with a high T/E (testosterone-to-estrogen) level, which is indicative of anaboloic 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.
According to a report from MMA Fighting, citing Sonnen’s manager Mike Roberts, the middleweight will launch a formal appeal.
