UFC
Chael Sonnen blasts MMA media over handling of Alistair Overeem's drug test story
Apr 18, 2012 - 12:45:55 PM Chael Sonnen blasts MMA media over handling of Alistair Overeem's drug test story

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Chael Sonnen is something special. The UFC's No. 1 contender in the middleweight division has a way of twisting stories and situations, making statements that seem possible but flat out lying or falsifying other information as well.

He was at it again on Tuesday night on Fuel TV's "UFC Tonight" program, attacking the MMA media for their handling of Alistair Overeem's current situation. Here's what Sonnen had to say on the subject:

"Congratulations to MMA media, right when I think you're incompetence can't get to any higher level, the Alistair Overeem story comes out," he began (transcribed by MMAMania.com. "You kids on the interweb, running your little 'dot com's' from the couch in your mother's basement, you beneficiaries of Mark Cuban's tax write-off, you've gone and screwed up the Alistair Overeem case, beyond belief. Is it repairable? I doubt it."

"Hey. If I'm a member of the media and someone tells me that Alistair Overeem failed a drug test, the very first thing I'm going to say is: 'Really? What substance did he test positive for?' Now, you see, those basic questions are where the wheels begin to fall off the bus to this entire story. Alistair Overeem did not test positive for anything. End of story. So why is his name getting drug through the mud? Why are they saying, 'Well, he's got an elevated T-to-E ratio. Ok, fair enough. Let's say his T-to-E ratio is outside the norm. That's not illegal. That's outside the norm. That's a red flag. That is a red flag, and Alistair will owe an explanation. If it's not against the rules, why are we having this conversation? MMA Media: Ya failed! It reminds me of a time when Ronald Reagan was President, and somebody in his cabinet had to stand trial. He gets acquitted and he says, 'Well, great. I've won the trial, but who do I see to get my reputation back?"

Overeem will appear in front of the NSAC next Tuesday to answer for his positive drug test, and his explanation will come at that time.

Penick's Analysis: Ok, Mr. Sonnen, I'll bite. What substance did he test positive for? With a T/E ratio of 14:1, the NSAC maintains it's synthetic testosterone. That he does not have clearance to use. That he did not disclose use of in the last five months when he was being tested multiple times by the commission. If he wants to claim it's not synthetic testosterone, they likely won't agree with that assessment because he didn't get a carbon isotope ratio test done on his "B" sample - as he had a right to do - which could have exonerated him if it wasn't synthetic testosterone in his system. So yes, he failed a drug test. He tested positive for something he wasn't supposed to have in his system, and didn't get prior clearance to have it in his system. End of story. As for the T/E ratio; it's not just a red flag, it's more than twice the commission's allowable. While it's not "illegal" for him to use synthetic testosterone, it's certainly against the commission's rules except in special cases. Sonnen continues this crusade, but the fact is it's a similar situation he was in, and he got off light. He was not cleared to use testosterone with the CSAC for his fight with Anderson Silva in 2010. He did not have clearance to use that substance, and did. That he confused the commission to get his suspension reduced doesn't exonerate him, no matter how much he wants to profess his innocence.

[Chael Sonnen art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]