Chael Sonnen Removed From UFC 175 After Failing Drug Test, Dana White Comments
Chael Sonnen will not be fighting next month at UFC 175 after failing a drug test given to him by the Nevada Athletic Commission. ESPN first reported the failed drug test, which was confirmed by UFC officials.
Sonnen was originally scheduled to face Wanderlei Silva in a culmination of their rivalry that was featured on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3 earlier this year. However, Silva was removed from the fight after declining a drug test of his own, resulting in the suspension of his fight license.
UFC officials moved quickly to keep Sonnen on the July 5 card from Las Vegas, signing Vitor Belfort to meet him. UFC president Dana White and Sonnen both appeared on FOX Sports 1 Tuesday night to address the situation, with White placing blame on both the NAC and Sonnen.
"There is a huge distinction between illegal versus banned. These are perfectly legal substances. These are not performance-enhancing drugs. These are not anabolics. These are not steroids of any kind," Sonnen said. "Look, they (the Nevada Athletic Commission) changed the rules and I've got to comply with the rules. However, there is a transition period and I couldn't have been more open or more transparent. And these are the medications that you have to go on to lead a healthy life. If they're asking me to choose between my health and my sport, that's not a choice I can make. I've got to choose health."
Sonnen tested positive for anastrozole and clomiphene. The first is used to treat early stages of breast cancer, while the latter is for female infertility. During the interview on FS1, White stated Sonnen was using the substances to help start a family with his wife and the banning of TRT went into effect.
"My reaction isn't shock," White said. "This has been lingering. This stuff was legal. TRT was legal and then the Nevada Athletic Commission said, 'It's illegal now, it's got to go away.' But there are going to be effects of stopping this thing cold turkey. It just doesn't work that way."
In 2010, Sonnen was suspended for a year by the California Athletic Commission for failing a drug test due to elevated levels of testosterone. The failed test came after his loss to Anderson Silva for the UFC middleweight title. He appealed the suspension and had it reduced to six months.