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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
More details are coming out as to the nature of Chael Sonnen's failed performance enhancing drug test from UFC 117.
According to Lance Pugmire of the LA Times, California State Athletic Commission Executive Officer George Dodd revealed that Sonnen tested positive for a "natural steroid" in a pre-fight screening.
He faces a one year suspension and a fine of $2,500 for the failed test, and he has 30 days to appeal the suspension. The last major steroid suspension for a UFC title level fighter came when both Sean Sherk and Hermes Franca failed their steroid tests in 2007. Sherk successfully reduced his suspension to six months on appeal, but Sonnen still has yet to make any comment on the situation.
The UFC appears to be moving forward without Sonnen in the immediate rematch against Anderson Silva, as they announced on Monday that the UFC 122 main event between Vitor Belfort and Yushin Okami will determine a #1 contender for Silva's Championship.
Penick's Analysis: There were rumors that it could have been some type of flu medication that popped the test; but if he was taking a flu medication that contained any type of steroid that's something that needed to be disclosed well ahead of time. It's again a really disappointing situation, because one of the best fights of the year is now tainted with this failed test. The UFC has now lost a massively lucrative rematch, and even if Sonnen successfully gets the suspension reduced should he choose to appeal, the stain of this positive test will take fan interest out of the rematch as well.
RELATED STORY: UFC QUOTABLES: Dana White comments on fighters testing positive for PEDs in reaction to Chael Sonnen's failed UFC 117 test: [CLICK TO READ FULL ARTICLE]
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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