Tag: failed drug test

Mike Richman’s Response to Failed Bellator 137 Drug Test Is…Surprisingly Endearing, Actually


Richman puts a (hopefully steroid-free) whooping on Jeremy Spoon Bellator 76.

It’s a scenario we’ve seen play out dozens, if not hundreds of times in mixed martial arts: A fighter rockets to the top of his division with a string of strong performances and is rewarded with the biggest fight of his life, a title fight, in front of the biggest audience he has ever competed before. Feeling that his game might not quite be at the level it needs to be, said fighter resorts to certain…chemical enhancements to give him that extra boost.

Whether said fighter fell back on those enhancements to deal with a nagging injury, or to shed those last few pounds, or simply out of the fear of getting his ass kicked on national television is a moot point. When given the option of cheating to gain an advantage, he took it. Then the fight happens, said fighter either wins or loses (he loses more often than not, ironically), and said fighter’s drug test results come back positive for steroids/diuretics/etc.

Unfortunately for the fans of said fighter, this is where the truly shameful behavior begins: The rationalization/denial phase. Rather than own up to his wrongdoing like an adult, said fighter blames it on his doctor, or an over-the-counter drug, or the fricking sauna at the fricking gym, or simply denies it outright. Whatever content of character said fighter had left after the positive test is thereby eradicated on account of his own stubbornness, and MMA superfan Little Jimmy Pocket loses another idol.

But not Bellator bantamweight title challenger Mike Richman, who tested positive for an undisclosed PED following his loss to champion Eduardo Dantas at Bellator 137 last month…

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Richman puts a (hopefully steroid-free) whooping on Jeremy Spoon Bellator 76.

It’s a scenario we’ve seen play out dozens, if not hundreds of times in mixed martial arts: A fighter rockets to the top of his division with a string of strong performances and is rewarded with the biggest fight of his life, a title fight, in front of the biggest audience he has ever competed before. Feeling that his game might not quite be at the level it needs to be, said fighter resorts to certain…chemical enhancements to give him that extra boost.

Whether said fighter fell back on those enhancements to deal with a nagging injury, or to shed those last few pounds, or simply out of the fear of getting his ass kicked on national television is a moot point. When given the option of cheating to gain an advantage, he took it. Then the fight happens, said fighter either wins or loses (he loses more often than not, ironically), and said fighter’s drug test results come back positive for steroids/diuretics/etc.

Unfortunately for the fans of said fighter, this is where the truly shameful behavior begins: The rationalization/denial phase. Rather than own up to his wrongdoing like an adult, said fighter blames it on his doctor, or an over-the-counter drug, or the fricking sauna at the fricking gym, or simply denies it outright. Whatever content of character said fighter had left after the positive test is thereby eradicated on account of his own stubbornness, and MMA superfan Little Jimmy Pocket loses another idol.

But not Bellator bantamweight title challenger Mike Richman, who tested positive for an undisclosed PED following his loss to champion Eduardo Dantas at Bellator 137 last month…

Rather than opt to blame the commission, his doctor, or the lab who handled his sample, Richman owned up to his steroid usage outright, labeling himself “a cheat” who “deserves every bit of backlash and hate I’m going to receive” for his positive test in a message posted on his Facebook page last night. And oddly enough, he has earned at least one guy’s respect in doing so. (*points to self*) This guy’s.

In Richman’s own words:

In regards to my positive test results for an Anabolic Steroid. I want to say that I lost the integrity in myself and the integrity of this sport. I will not sit here and deny that I took it or act like I didn’t know what I was taking or blame it on someone else. I am a cheat, plan and simple and there is no excuse or reason that is valid enough to dispute the reasons why I cheated the sport and myself by using it. I want to apologize to Bellator MMA for my actions. I want to apologize again to my hard working Teammates who are not cutting corners and busting their asses off everyday in the gym to better themselves. I want to apologize to My head MMA coach Greg Nelson for making him and his gym the Academy look bad. He had no knowledge of me using at all. I want to make the same apology to my S&C coach Matt Miller of Horsepower strength and conditioning, he also had no knowledge of my use of this Anabolic Steroid.

I apologize to all my sponsors that support me, my family that loves me, and my friends and fans that cheer for me. I deserve every bit of backlash and hate I’m going to receive from the media and the fans of this great sport. I take full responsibility in my actions and the decisions I made. I also deserve the punishment the CA state athletic commission brought down upon me.

That punishment, as it turns out, will be a $2,500 fine and a two-year suspension from the sport (dem new steroid policies, doe…). The news of Richman’s positive test comes after the Minnesota native was nearly pulled from the title fight altogether after weighing in some three pounds over the bantamweight limit, and could indicate that Richman was in fact dealing with a nasty injury that kept him out of action in the weeks prior to Bellator 137. Still, major props to Richman for claiming to have no excuses for his actions and not immediately following up with a list of excuses. He may be a cheat (by his own words), but at least he’s a (semi) honest cheat.

In related news, Sherdog.com ”has also learned that welterweight Fernando Gonzalez tested positive for marijuana following his third-round submission of Curtis Millender at the same event…and has been given a 90-day suspension for his second failure due to marijuana.” Which…

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Anderson Silva, Nick Diaz Fail UFC 183 Drug Tests for Drostanolone, Marijuana

Wow.

There’s really no way to beat around the bush here, so let’s get right to it. Last night, it was revealed that Anderson Silva tested positive for two types of anabolic steroids in an out-of-competition drug test given on January 9th. His UFC 183 opponent, Nick Diaz, also tested positive for marijuana metabolites (AGAIN), albeit in in his UFC 183 post-fight drug test.

Son. of. a. bitch.

Details after the jump.

Wow.

There’s really no way to beat around the bush here, so let’s get right to it. Last night, it was revealed that Anderson Silva tested positive for two types of anabolic steroids in an out-of-competition drug test given on January 9th. His UFC 183 opponent, Nick Diaz, also tested positive for marijuana metabolites (AGAIN), albeit in in his UFC 183 post-fight drug test.

Son. of. a. bitch.

According to an official statement released by the UFC last night, Silva tested positive for both Drostanolone and Androsterone just a little over a month out from his UFC 183 headliner

On February 3, 2015, the UFC organization was notified by the Nevada State Athletic Commission that Anderson Silva tested positive for Drostanolone metabolites on his Jan. 9 out of competition drug test. UFC’s understanding is that further testing will be conducted by the Commission to confirm these preliminary results.

Anderson Silva has been an amazing champion and a true ambassador of the sport of mixed martial arts and the UFC, in Brazil as well as around the world. UFC is disappointed to learn of these initial results.

The UFC has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents by its athletes.

Likewise, the UFC released this statement on Diaz’s failed test:

The UFC has been notified by the Nevada State Athletic Commission that Nick Diaz has tested positive for marijuana metabolites following his fight with Anderson Silva at UFC 183 on Jan. 31 in Las Vegas, Nev. The UFC has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents by our athletes. As a result of his positive test, Diaz has been informed that he has violated the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy and Promotional Agreement with Zuffa, LLC. The UFC organization will fully respect the Commission’s final decision relating to Diaz at a disciplinary hearing set for February 17.

I don’t even know what to say. This is unbelievable — the Silva thing, not the Diaz thing. If you didn’t see Diaz’s latest UFC run being cut short by a failed drug test, then I’ve got a bridge to sell you. But even with the evidence so stacked against Silva, I can’t even muster the strength or desire to express my outrage at the GOAT’s decision to tarnish his legacy for a one-off freakshow fight that he never needed to take in the first place. Nor can I feign my outrage at the UFC for releasing that laughably bullshit statement on the issue, or the Nevada State Athletic Commission for once again allowing a fight to take place over a month after one of the fighters was busted by a random drug test. Maybe I’ve just seen this bearded lady one too many times, so to speak, or maybe I’m just getting too old for this shit.

Of course, I imagine the Nevada State Athletic Commission owes us an explanation as to how Silva vs. Diaz was even allowed to happen given Silva’s pre-fight failure. I mean, cocaine is one thing (apparently), but how are they going to explain their latest glaring oversight this time?

Well according to NSAC Chairman Francisco Aguilar, they would have called the fight, but they didn’t get the results in time. Oh, what a world! (via MMAFighting):

I would have had no problem calling the fight once I had this result. Those are not acceptable substances. But at the very least, by doing this out-of-competition test, we found this. We wouldn’t have known had we not done the out-of-competition test.

Oh, and NSAC Director Bob Bennett has also chimed in, calling the turnover rate for these pre-fight drug tests “unacceptable.”

The time lapse is unacceptable. We’ve made arrangements with the lab to make sure we get the results within seven days and they are working hand in glove with us on this.

Oh, well thank God that’s all solved. I’m sure we won’t run into this exact same issue the next time a major UFC pay-per-view is in town.

Bennett’s statement on Silva’s test, as it was with Jones’, is obviously bullshit. Thinly-veiled bullshit. You mean to tell me that the NSAC has been in charge of these tests for as long as they have, and are just now taking the steps to ensure that their pre-fight drug test results arrive before the actual fight is happening? What’s the point of even doing pre-fight test if you don’t get the results back until after the fight is over? WILL SOMEONE, FOR ONCE, JUST ADMIT THAT OUR SPORT IS A FARCE AND STOP TALKING TO US LIKE WE’RE CHILDREN?!!

Among the critics of the NSAC’s blatant incompetence has been Dr. Johnny Benjamin, who took to Twitter to vent his frustrations last night.

And the real answer is simple, Jon. Because then the UFC would have had to cancel two of the biggest events of the year, losing themselves (and the NSAC) millions of dollars in the process.

For what it’s worth, Silva is claiming innocence in the matter. As his doctor, Marcio Tannure, recently told Band News Radio:

Anderson told me he’s disappointed, upset because he didn’t use steroids. He will ask for the confirmation test because he believes the only explanation is a contamination or a mistake from the lab. He told me: ‘I have an impeccable career history and I wouldn’t want to tarnish my image.’

Well, it’s too late for that, Andy.

Silva and Diaz are both expected to appear at a Feb. 17 commission meeting in Nevada. According to Aguilar, a full hearing for Silva is expected to take place at an NAC meeting in either March or April. We will have more on this story as details are made available, but for now, let’s all just pour ourselves a stiff drink and nod in agreement with all of this:

-J. Jones

Ashlee Evans-Smith Tests Positive for Diuretic, Manager Offers Batsh*t Crazy Explanation


(“I’ll ask you one final time, Ashlee, HAVE. YOU. MOVED. TO METRO?” Photo via Getty.) 

Perhaps the biggest problem with the UFC’s current expansion rate — you know, other than the watered-down cards, the recycled marketing gimmicks, and the spreading of those watered-down cards across 5 different platforms — is how often their “event a week” schedule almost inherently undermines the legitimacy of their product. With so many cards to fill a year, the UFC needs every last fighter on their roster to stay healthy in order to keep things afloat, and when a fighter inevitably gets injured, the promotion is forced to hire an outside gun — often on short notice — whom they expect to not only make weight and put on a show, but do so without any…how do I put this…”help.” All for a glorious 8k/8k paycheck if they’re lucky.

Case in point: Ashlee Evans-Smith, who was called up to the UFC on less than a month’s notice to face Raquel Pennington at UFC 181 after Holly Holm went down with an injury. Having not fought since July, the task of making weight in such a short time would be a difficult one for Smith (especially if she wasn’t training), but a concern worth turning down the biggest fight of her young career? NOT UNLESS YOU’RE LOOKING TO GET BLACKBALLED, SWEETHEART.

So Evans-Smith accepted the fight and was able to make weight for her debut (which sadly ended in heartbreak/near decapitation), but surprise surprise, it looks like she might have needed a little of the aforementioned help in order to do so…


(“I’ll ask you one final time, Ashlee, HAVE. YOU. MOVED. TO METRO?” Photo via Getty.) 

Perhaps the biggest problem with the UFC’s current expansion rate — you know, other than the watered-down cards, the recycled marketing gimmicks, and the spreading of those watered-down cards across 5 different platforms — is how often their “event a week” schedule almost inherently undermines the legitimacy of their product. With so many cards to fill a year, the UFC needs every last fighter on their roster to stay healthy in order to keep things afloat, and when a fighter inevitably gets injured, the promotion is forced to hire an outside gun — often on short notice — whom they expect to not only make weight and put on a show, but do so without any…how do I put this…”help.” All for a glorious 8k/8k paycheck if they’re lucky.

Case in point: Ashlee Evans-Smith, who was called up to the UFC on less than a month’s notice to face Raquel Pennington at UFC 181 after Holly Holm went down with an injury. Having not fought since July, the task of making weight in such a short time would be a difficult one for Smith (especially if she wasn’t training), but a concern worth turning down the biggest fight of her young career? NOT UNLESS YOU’RE LOOKING TO GET BLACKBALLED, SWEETHEART.

So Evans-Smith accepted the fight and was able to make weight for her debut (which sadly ended in heartbreak/near decapitation), but surprise surprise, it looks like she might have needed a little of the aforementioned help in order to do so.

According to MMAJunkie, Smith’s tested positive for “diuretics” following her loss to Pennington and will now face up to a six-month suspension when NSAC meets next week. Not that the Nevada State Athletic Commission has bothered to inform her or her camp of this:

Manager Mike McLeish first learned that his client, Ashlee Evans-Smith (3-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC), had failed a drug test when a UFC executive called him.

McLeish was told Evans-Smith faced a six-month suspension and needed to assemble a list of supplements to present to the commission, which would be calling him shortly.

That call never came, he said Tuesday night. He said neither he or Evans-Smith have received any written notice of a rule violation. Yet Evans-Smith showed up on an agenda for an NSAC meeting scheduled next week in Las Vegas.

Wait, you’re telling me that the Nevada State Athletic Commission dropped the ball regarding a fighter’s drug test? Well now I’ve seen everything!!

But even crazier than NSAC’s inability to take a piss without dribbling on its shoes is the explanation Evans-Smith’s manager gave for her positive test:

She takes flowers, weird sh-t. It could possibly be that. 

Wow. If you ever wanted proof that literally anyone can become an MMA manager, look no further than this grade-A defense (see also: Kogan, M.).

While looking over Evans-Smith’s case, I am oddly reminded of Kevin Casey, another fighter who was called up to the UFC on short notice, only to be popped for steroids following his victory at UFC 175. It’s almost as if the UFC is expanding at a rate at which their roster cannot support. Weird. In any case, I look forward to hearing how proud the UFC is of Evans-Smith once she checks into rehab for flower addiction.

–J. Jones

Quote of the Day: Wanderlei Silva Honest-to-God Thinks He’ll Be Fighting in Two Months


(“350 bucks?! These supplements were only 315 last week, you snake in the grass!”)

In news that is gonna blow your mind right through the back of your skull, Wanderlei Silva is once again talking absolute nonsense about the future of his MMA career.

If you’ve forgotten or simply don’t care anymore, Silva is still awaiting his official punishment from the Nevada State Athletic Commission for skipping out on his random drug test prior to UFC 175, which he claimed he didn’t do, then claimed he did do but only because he was on diuretics. While Dana White assured us that he would be “buried” for his insolence, Silva recently popped out of the hole he’s been presumably living in for the past month to ensure us that everything is hunky-dory (via Tatame/Bleacher Report):

Life is great. I’m training well. I did a test on my own in Brazil, on June 6, to see if the corticoid and the diuretic were already out of my body. I also tested my testosterone levels. At my age, the level is 180, and I’m at 160. I’m totally clean and cleared to fight as soon as possible. I’m just waiting for the UFC to tell me a date and local. In two months, I will be ready to fight.

Maybe it’s just me, but I’d have a lot more faith in Wandy’s words had they been shouted at me in a basement while bro-rock blared in the background.


(“350 bucks?! These supplements were only 315 last week, you snake in the grass!”)

In news that is gonna blow your mind right through the back of your skull, Wanderlei Silva is once again talking absolute nonsense about the future of his MMA career.

If you’ve forgotten or simply don’t care anymore, Silva is still awaiting his official punishment from the Nevada State Athletic Commission for skipping out on his random drug test prior to UFC 175, which he claimed he didn’t do, then claimed he did do but only because he was on diuretics. While Dana White assured us that he would be “buried” for his insolence, Silva recently popped out of the hole he’s been presumably living in for the past month to ensure us that everything is hunky-dory (via Tatame/Bleacher Report):

Life is great. I’m training well. I did a test on my own in Brazil, on June 6, to see if the corticoid and the diuretic were already out of my body. I also tested my testosterone levels. At my age, the level is 180, and I’m at 160. I’m totally clean and cleared to fight as soon as possible. I’m just waiting for the UFC to tell me a date and local. In two months, I will be ready to fight.

Maybe it’s just me, but I’d have a lot more faith in Wandy’s words had they been shouted at me in a basement while bro-rock blared in the background.

But did you hear that guys? Wanderlei passed a drug test! That he took at home! By himself! Where, oh where have we ever heard that before?

Just in case you weren’t sold on how far off the pasture Wanderlei has wandered, just take a gander at who he’s called out next, and why:

I would like to fight (Luke) Rockhold. He’s a good guy. He’s coming off wins and is the former Strikeforce champion. I think this (fight) could get me in line for the title. It would be perfect to fight him at Maracanazinho.

Fucking wow.

It’s almost as if Wanderlei has suddenly been struck down by Memento disease (which, considering the length of his professional career, could be true) and has no idea that he is nose deep in the most embarrassing scandal of his professional career. You back out of a fight with a bitter rival some two years in the making, literally run away from a drug test, and now think you’re in the position to start calling out fights (in Brazil, no less) and discussing your title aspirations? I would feel bad for you if I wasn’t too busy trying to contain myself from pasting a thousand The Rock eye roll gifs into this post. I am the Axe Murderer’s inflated ego…

We’ll be sure to let you know just how wrong Wanderlei is when his NSAC punishment is handed down, but in the meantime, let’s hear it for Wanderlei Silva, everybody!

–J. Jones

And Now He’s Suspended: Louis Gaudinot Suspended Six Months After Failed Drug Test


(Can you not see the hydrochlorothiazide COURSING THROUGH HIS VEINS??? / Photo via Getty)

Louis Gaudinot‘s 73-second submission win over Phil Harris at UFC Fight Night 37 has been overturned into a no contest. This comes off the back of Gaudinot’s drug test failure; he tested positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide. As the event took place in the UK, it was the UFC that handed him a six month suspension rather than an athletic commission.

Gaudinot issued a statement not long after the news of his drug test failure and suspension broke…


(Can you not see the hydrochlorothiazide COURSING THROUGH HIS VEINS??? / Photo via Getty)

Louis Gaudinot‘s 73-second submission win over Phil Harris at UFC Fight Night 37 has been overturned into a no contest. This comes off the back of Gaudinot’s drug test failure; he tested positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide. As the event took place in the UK, it was the UFC that handed him a six month suspension rather than an athletic commission.

Gaudinot issued a statement not long after the news of his drug test failure and suspension broke:

I have great respect for the UFC, the sport of MMA, and my opponent. I would never do anything to disrespect any of them. I would also never do anything to tarnish my name, my teammates, and family. While I deny any wrongdoing, I will respect the decision of the UFC and look forward to getting back in the cage in pursuit of the UFC flyweight championship. I thank my family, teammates and fans for their support.

A bit of a bummer, we were hoping for Dennis Siver levels of palpable guilt but instead we just got a generic “I didn’t do it but I’m not gonna fight it because I actually did do it” answer. Gaudinot, a flyweight, is now 6-3 (1) in his MMA career. Before fighting Harris, he was coming off a disappointing decision loss to Phil Harris. With the suspension, Gaudinot won’t be able to grace the Octagon again until September. Harris now has a sterling record of 22-11 (2). The had UFC justifiably shit-canned Harris after the fight, but have apparently brought him back to face Neil Seery at UFC Fight Night 46 next month. As Nick Diaz would say, “It’s whatever.”

[VIDEOS] Dana White & Chael Sonnen Play the Blame Game on ‘America’s Pregame’

A lot of blame has been thrown around since word of Chael Sonnen’s failed drug test and subsequent removal from UFC 175 broke yesterday. Some are blaming the Nevada State Athletic Commission for their lack of foresight in banning TRT yet providing fighters currently on the therapy with no means or information on how to adjust to life without it. Some are blaming Sonnen for failing to disclose the banned substances he was on to NSAC prior to his drug test last month. There are even some MMA media members out there crazy enough to blame the UFC for rushing guys like Sonnen and Belfort into fights without first understanding how long their bodies would need to adjust to post-TRT life. Hope you enjoy getting blacklisted, fellas!

In order to help clear things up, both Chael Sonnen and Dana White appeared on FS1’s America’s Pregame last night, because Sonnen is not as expendable a fighter as say, Jason High and thus requires his boss’ assistance when putting out fires. While Sonnen opted to expand on his interview with Jay Mohr Sports that was published just hours beforehand, White fell back on his usual mix of finger-pointing and blatant lies delivered at just below shouting level.

Both are at fault. I think the Nevada State Athletic Commission could have laid it out better for how they were going to end this thing. What would be banned and what wouldn’t be banned for the guys coming down off of it. But again, it’s a matter of them not being very educated on TRT. It’s the thing that made this whole thing impossible anyway. And it’s Chael’s fault too, because Chael should have called the Athletic Commission and said, ‘This is what my doctor told me I need to do to come down off of this stuff, so here is what I’m taking.’ He absolutely should have done that. 

Just to clear the air here, nobody is on TRT. And, we only had five guys out of over 500 that were ever on TRT, and it was absolutely legal.

Well thank God the UFC isn’t to blame in any way, shape, or form for this (*wipes sweat from forehead*). Dodged a bullet there, boys. Also, the number of fighters who have ever fought in the UFC while on TRT is a lot closer to 15 than 5. No biggie.

Check out White’s full interview above, then head after the jump for Sonnen’s much lengthier defense. 

A lot of blame has been thrown around since word of Chael Sonnen’s failed drug test and subsequent removal from UFC 175 broke yesterday. Some are blaming the Nevada State Athletic Commission for their lack of foresight in banning TRT yet providing fighters currently on the therapy with no means or information on how to adjust to life without it. Some are blaming Sonnen for failing to disclose the banned substances he was on to NSAC prior to his drug test last month. There are even some MMA media members out there crazy enough to blame the UFC for rushing guys like Sonnen and Belfort into fights without first understanding how long their bodies would need to adjust to post-TRT life. Hope you enjoy getting blacklisted, fellas!

In order to help clear things up, both Chael Sonnen and Dana White appeared on FS1′s America’s Pregame last night, because Sonnen is not as expendable a fighter as say, Jason High and thus requires his boss’ assistance when putting out fires. While Sonnen opted to expand on his interview with Jay Mohr Sports that was published just hours beforehand, White fell back on his usual mix of finger-pointing and blatant lies delivered at just below shouting level.

Both are at fault. I think the Nevada State Athletic Commission could have laid it out better for how they were going to end this thing. What would be banned and what wouldn’t be banned for the guys coming down off of it. But again, it’s a matter of them not being very educated on TRT. It’s the thing that made this whole thing impossible anyway. And it’s Chael’s fault too, because Chael should have called the Athletic Commission and said, ‘This is what my doctor told me I need to do to come down off of this stuff, so here is what I’m taking.’ He absolutely should have done that. 

Just to clear the air here, nobody is on TRT. And, we only had five guys out of over 500 that were ever on TRT, and it was absolutely legal.

Well thank God the UFC isn’t to blame in any way, shape, or form for this (*wipes sweat from forehead*). Dodged a bullet there, boys. Also, the number of fighters who have ever fought in the UFC while on TRT is a lot closer to 15 than 5. No biggie.

Check out White’s full interview above, then head after the jump for Sonnen’s much lengthier defense. 

Sonnen’s appearance on America’s Pregame was a little more successful, I guess. The former title challenger, who is planning to file an appeal on the ruling when his hearing comes up, admitted to being completely transparent about what he would have to take to make it through the transition period of a post-TRT lifestyle:

Look, they changed the rules, and I’ve got to comply with the rules. I don’t resist that at all. However, there is a transition period, and I couldn’t have been more open or more transparent, whether it was ‘UFC Tonight,’ whether it was different interviews or different places. Anybody that I could tell that I could talk to about this, I did.

And indeed, the Nevada State Athletic Commission dropped the ball when it came to actually informing athletes on TRT how to adjust to life without it. Then again, when hasn’t NSAC proven their complete incompetence when it comes to the sport they are supposed to be presiding over?

There is at least one obvious difference between Sonnen’s version of the truth and the actual truth, however: NSAC changed their ruling on TRT, not the prohibited substances Sonnen was recently caught with in his system. Of course, it’s when Sonnen explains his reasoning for not disclosing the fact that he was on post-cycle drugs that things begin to get even more murky:

I had no opportunity to go before the commission – I had not spoken to them, but I’m saying I had done other interviews. Anywhere where it had come up. The only opportunity you’re ever given to disclose a medication that you’re in is in competition. When the state of Nevada comes to you, you do have a form that you can fill it out. This was an out-of-competition (test). This was done by a separate lab known as [the United States Anti-Doping Agency]. It’s the finest lab in the world. But these were also strangers. This was not the Nevada State Athletic Commission that came to me, and there was no attempt to have a disclosure form.

But even if I had disclosed or hadn’t, you have to understand, this is out of competition. An athlete does not have to remain off medication 365 days of the year – not the NCAA, not [with] the [International Olympic Committee], and not even with the Nevada State Athletic Commission. This is [unprecedented]

First off, “out of competition” is not a term that can be applied to MMA like it can professional football — a fighter can literally be called up to fight for whatever reason (replacing an injured opponent, for instance) on a moment’s notice — and Sonnen should know this better than anyone. He did, after all, attempt to wiggle his way into a title shot against Jon Jones less than a day out from when the fight was scheduled. “In competition” in MMA is an indefinable concept, ranging anywhere from a couple months to a week, and is simply being used as a technicality to hide behind here.

Secondly, it’s not as if Sonnen, one of the more intelligent fighters in the UFC, was simply powerless to inform NSAC of his condition and how it could affect him professionally. The NSAC’s official website has a “Contact Us” page wherein their phone number, fax number, email, and address are clearly listed, so for Sonnen to act as if he had “no opportunity” to reach out and maybe inform the commission that he was on banned substances is a bit presumptuous to say the least.

Oh yes, speaking of those banned substances. Sonnen was insistent that neither Anastrozole and Clomiphene, two of the three non-steroidal, non-anabolic substances he tested positive for, are only banned “in competition.” This is completely false, as one look over the 2014 Usada Prohibited List will reveal that both are considered “prohibited hormone and metabolic modulators” both in and out-of-competition. Written in bold. On page 5 (S4) of a 10 page document. The idea of in vs. out of competition, shaky as it may be, holds no bearing here. Sonnen likely knew this, hence his decision to simply not disclose the substances he was on until it was too late, as he has done before.

So yeah, this whole debacle kind of falls into a moral grey area with multiple parties at fault, as stories about banned substances in professional sports and the athletes who use them so often do. The lesson, kids: Don’t start using drugs, so you don’t have to do the other drugs that help you get off the first drugs.

–J. Jones