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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Chael Sonnen's got more issues on his plate than the Nevada State Athletic Commission, as Josh Gross at ESPN reports that he has been suspended by the California State Athletic Commission yet again, this time indefinitely pending a special hearing on May 18.
Sonnen's suspension was handed down two weeks ago, according to the report, due to the CSAC legal counsel's belief that Sonnen perjured himself during his hearing with the Commission in December.
The December hearing came about when Sonnen was suspended for his failed steroid test at UFC 117. Sonnen's 16:9 testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio was four times the limit allowed by the commission, but Sonnen attempted to claim his use was necessary as treatment for hypogonadism.
However, Sonnen's only disclosure of his use was in one short conversation with a CSAC representative while giving a urine sample. He claimed at the hearing that he had previously been approved for testosterone replacement therapy by Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer, a claim immediately and continuously refuted by Kizer.
Sonnen's admission last month that he had indeed not spoken to Kizer about it, and the fact that he has not been cleared by any commission for TRT was part of this most recent suspension. CSAC executive director George Dodd commented that the false statements about Kizer are a major concern, because it could have swayed their votes in December.
"My commission is concerned with that because if one commission approves [the use of prescribed medication], it could sway how the vote would have come out," Dodd said. "They're looking at that allegation."
Sonnen and his lawyers reportedly requested the May 18 hearing after receiving his suspension, and the commission will examine his statements made in December, as well as his recent conviction for money laundering in Oregon.
According to Dodd, he is concerned that Sonnen is bringing "discredit to the mixed martial arts community," which was grounds for the indefinite suspension.
Penick's Analysis: This is an unexpected development. I honestly didn't think we'd see the CSAC retroactively take Sonnen to task for his farcical presentation in December. At the hearing, the commission didn't do their jobs; Sonnen didn't provide any proof that he had sufficiently disclosed his treatment or that he went through proper channels to get any potential treatment approved, yet he got his suspension cut in half. Part of that was because of his comments about approval in Nevada, and with those being false, the CSAC is in their rights to go back and address it with Sonnen. Because of this suspension, any potential dealings with the NSAC will be put on hold, and until this is cleared up, Sonnen's not going to be getting into the cage at all.
UPDATE: David Bixenspan at CagesideSeats.com has put together an excellent compendium of the relevant timeline of information regarding the events involving Sonnen, and got some more clarification from CSAC director George Dodd. Some tidbits from Dodd:
* The CSAC worked with Keith Kizer to get straightened out the stories told to both sides by Sonnen, and that's what took the longest in getting this in motion.
* Dodd was informed during the December hearing of Kizer's denial of Sonnen's statements, but didn't have the whole story so could not comment during said hearing. Knowing immediately that Sonnen was not telling the truth put this suspension in motion from the moment that hearing concluded.
* There could potentially be criminal charges applied to Sonnen for perjuring himself under oath during his testimony to the CSAC, but that would be the responsibility of Deputy Attorney General Karen Chappelle, who will represent the state during Sonnen's May 18 hearing, after the commission has handled their business.
Bixenspan's full piece should be read, as it paints a very clear picture about what Sonnen has said and done during this entire ordeal, and makes clear why the CSAC is taking action at this point. Also, Sonnen's license is technically suspended through its expiration date, but the indefinite suspension means he wouldn't be relicensed in the state until all is cleared up.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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