(Ignoring your problems won’t work forever.)
Even though Chael Sonnen completed his six-month suspension from the California State Athletic Commission back in March, the CSAC isn’t quite ready to forgive and forget. MMA Weekly reported yesterday that Sonnen has been placed on an indefinite administrative suspension, pending a special hearing on May 18th. And why is California continuing to persecute America’s Greatest Hero? Says CSAC executive director George Dodd, “It’s based off two things. One, his pleading guilty to his felony conviction up in Oregon, as well as possibly providing false testimony during his hearing back in December.”
If you’ll recall, Sonnen originally claimed that he’d received approval for testosterone therapy from NSAC executive director Keith Kizer, then changed his story in the most ludicrous way possible when Kizer denied ever talking to him.
Along with the dodgy testimony back in December, Sonnen’s money-laundering drama was also an impetus for the suspension. George Dodd said he was concerned that Sonnen’s behavior was bringing “discredit to the mixed martial arts community.”
According to ESPN.com, the new administrative suspension puts Sonnen on the national database used by regulators to monitor medical and administrative bans, and asks North American regulatory bodies to contact California before issuing him a license to compete, corner, promote or act as a manager. Nevada has already chosen to honor the suspension.
Sonnen confirmed with ESPN.com that he’ll be attending the CSAC appeals hearing next Wednesday. The date of his follow-up meeting with the NSAC is still TBA. Can Sonnen charm his way through two important meetings without getting caught in multiple lies? No, probably not. More to come…