On Monday, the Nevada State Athletic Commission granted UFC middleweight contender Chael Sonnen (27-11-1) a therapeutic-use exemption (TUE) for the use of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in advance of his upcoming title rematch with UFC champ Anderson Silva.
Sonnen was busted by the California State Athletic Commission for a failed drug test in August 2010 after his first meeting with Silva. Sonnen claimed that he was using TRT for low testosterone levels due to hypogonadism and that he had been granted it’s use in previous bouts by NSAC exec Keith Kizer.
Kizer said that the NSAC never approved the use of TRT for Sonnen and that the fighter lied about contacting him directly. Sonnen later clarified that it was his manager who spoke to the commission, which was later revealed that the conversation only amounted to applying for it’s use and not actually granting it’s use by the fighter.
The CSAC suspended Sonnen for six months, eventually allowing to re-apply for a new license after June 29, 2011. Sonnen made his successful Octagon return on October 8, 2011 by submitting Brian Stann at UFC 136.
During today’s hearing, Sonnen came under scrutiny answering questions about whether he needed to use TRT because of anabolic steroid use in his past. Sonnen replied under oath that he had never used steroids.
Sonnen will now meet Silva on July 7, 2012 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada in a rematch two years in the making