Chael Sonnen Return to UFC 175? No! Fighter Suspended in MMA for 2 Years

Retired UFC champion, Chael Sonnen, was slapped with a two-year suspension by the Nevada Athletic Commission on July 23 on multiple evidence that points to his use of performance enhancing drugs throughout his career.

Sonnen had failed two random drug tests performed in May 24 and June 5 this year where he was found to be positive for PEDs Clomiphene, Anastrozole, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), human growth hormone (HGH) and recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO), writes Yahoo! Sports. At a hearing in Las Vegas on Wednesday, the two-time UFC middleweight title holder admitted to using drugs and said he agreed with the commission's sanction. 

"I don't want to say anything to you that comes off as an excuse," said Sonnen at the sidelines with the media after the hearing, as reported by MMA Fighting. "I am guilty. I am ashamed, and I don't have any attempt to put up a defense." 

The news service also noted that NAC Commissioner, Pat Lundvall, has initially called for just a one-year suspension, given that Sonnen will commit to helping the agency educate fighters with regard to the use of banned substances. However, Francisco Aguilar, the chairman, countered that while he agreed with the plan to have Sonnen speak to fighters, a two-year suspension should be effected as he had taken a "cocktail" of five drugs. Eventually, the members of the commission unanimously agreed, adding that he should also pay any and all of the medical expenses incurred during the random tests he failed in May and June. 

Yahoo! Sports added that at some point in the hearing, Sonnen had reportedly claimed that the rules on illegal substances are unclear, to which Christopher Eccles, the deputy attorney general handling the case, replied: "You don't get to stop using one prohibited drug and start using five prohibited drugs. There are five drugs that are prohibited at all times. From the state's point of view, it is not that difficult to determine what is approved and what isn't approved. It's not approved. That's the default. It's not approved. If you have concerns about something, call the commission and we'll tell you."

Eccles then moved to call Sonne's move "brazen, outrageous cheating."

Even with the sanctions in place, NSAC Commissioner Anthony Marnell III found it still soft, writes MMA Junkie. Marnell, an ex-minor league baseball player, had suggested that Sonnen should have been given a lifetime ban.

"I also have grave concern for fighters who get hit in the head by somebody who has superhuman powers. There's a lot of other things that go on here other than somebody just cheating. People are at risk," said Marnell. 

By the time the two-year suspension is lifted, Sonnen will have the opportunity to once again fight should he decide to come out of retirement. However, this will require an NAC appearance to seek a reinstatement of his license.