UFC 175 Fight Card News: Chael Sonnen Fails Second Drug Test

After testing positive for two substances in May 2014, Chael Sonnen failed his second drug test conducted by the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) a month later.

In a report by Fox Sports, the first drug test showed the presence of anastrazole and clomiphene in Sonnen's body. Both are banned substances. The next day after he tested positive, Sonnen announced that he will retire from the UFC because he needed the substances for his testosterone replacement therapy or TRT. He was temporarily suspended after the initial findings and was asked to take a second test by the NAC on June 5. However, the NAC reported that Sonnen still failed, testing positive for EPO, HGH, anastrozole and human chorionic gonadotropin or hCG.

After he was told that the second test also showed traces of the prohibited substances, Sonnen said, "Yes, the Commission is aware of other prescribed medications I was taking and I will not challenge their allegations. I will cooperate with the Commission and look forward to having a dialogue about how fighters who transition off TRT can avoid violating any rules."

In a report by MMA Fighting, Sonnen was supposed to fight Wanderlei Silva at UFC 175. However, Silva himself was involved in a drug test issue where he allegedly ran away from the commission. Vitor Belfort substituted Silva but is yet to be given clearance by the NAC since he also recently just came off TRT. MMA professionals have been asking about a transition period to completely stave themselves off the substances which were suddenly banned in February 2014. According to the commission, they will add the new information to the first findings and decide Sonnen's fate in the future.

According to Yahoo! Sports, Sonnen admitted using hCG and Clomiphene, saying that he needed these because he had a condition called hypogonadism. However, he did not voluntarily admit using these until after he showed positive test results. According to Sonnen, he was prescribed medications after he failed the first drug test, which caused the results of the second failed drug test. The first test was conducted in Las Vegas while the second was done in Portland.

Dave Shoelle, UFC senior director of communications, was asked to comment. He said, "Our stance on the subject remains absolutely the same. We support the Commission and we will continue to ensure all UFC competitors compete on an even playing field, free of performance-enhancing drugs and banned substances."

A full disciplinary hearing was set by the commission on July 23 in Las Vegas.