Chael Sonnen Tests Positive For HGH & EPO In Second Failed NSAC Drug Test
After a media windfall that resulted in Chael Sonnen retiring from the sport of MMA following a failed drug test prior to his proposed UFC 175 bout with Wanderlei Silva (and then Vitor Belfort), it looks like the story has not surprisingly taken yet another unfortunate turn.
News broke tonight that Sonnen failed a second drug test administered to him by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) on June 5. After failing the original May test for fertility drugs anastrozole, clomifene, and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), NSAC chairman Francisco Aguilar confirmed to MMA Fighting that Sonnen has now failed for Human Growth Hormone (HGH), recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO), and anastrozole and hcG again.
Sonnen was temporarily suspended at the June 17 NSAC hearing, with his disciplinary hearing to come at a later date. The hearing has now been amended to include Sonnen’s latest failure.
For his part, Sonnen appeared open about his performance-enhancing drug use, which he blamed on the NSAC and UFC’s ban of his testosterone-replacement therapy (TRT) in late February:
“Yes, the Commission is aware of other prescribed medications I was taking and I will not challenge their allegations. I will cooperate with the Commission and look forward to having a dialogue about how fighters who transition off TRT can avoid violating any rules.”
Sonnen is retired from MMA, but no word has come as to whether or not this finding will affect Sonnen’s upcoming grappling match with Andre Galvao at Metamoris 4 on August 9.
Either way, it’s just more of a black eye on the career of a fighter who is quickly gaining a reputation as a liar and a cheat.
“The American Gangster” reached stardom by bending the truth and promoting fights like few others ever have. But did he walk too fine of a line that ultimately spelled his undoing?
