MMA Combat - UFC's Chael Sonnen Suspended Indefinitely
On Wednesday, May 18, the California State Athletic Commission by a vote of 4-1 decided to uphold the suspension of one-time UFC middleweight title challenger, Chael Sonnen (25-11-1). The promotion had plans to feature Sonnen as a coach opposite Michael Bisping on the next season of The Ultimate Figther reality series, but yesterday's ruling has effectively put an end to that agenda, and potentially the 34 year old, Oregon native's career.
Sonnen's nine-month journey with the CSAC began last August when his pre-fight sample was flagged for elevated testosterone levels; Sonnen took four hard-fought rounds from champion, Anderson Silva on August 7, 2010, before succumbing to an arm-bar submission in round five.
The California Code of Regulations explicitly states that licensees for boxing and mixed martial arts may have their licenses revoked for conduct which discredits their sport. One month ago, the CSAC announced that Sonnen would be suspended indefinitely on the back on two violations; one, that Sonnen was found to have made untruthful statements under oath at a December 2nd hearing, and two, for pleading guilty to money-laundering on April 8, 2011, in his home state of Oregon.
“I’ve worked for this chance my whole life, since I was nine, and I don’t want to retire today,” Sonnen stated at yesterday's hearing. “I volunteered in my community 18 hours a week the last decade. Never had a drop of alcohol in my life. Never smoked anything... I’m truly embarrassed from the last hearing and until now... I will not make these mistakes again. I will not ask for forgiveness again. Please just let me go back to work.”
Those words fell on deaf ears; as the common sentiment held by CSAC officials could be summed up in the remarks of Commissioner Eugene Hernandez: “Past actions are the best indicator of future performance.”
A formal announcement has not been made regarding Sonnen's future with the UFC and his career in general; tune in for updates as this story continues to unfold.
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