Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier could both face penalties following a fight that broke out in the MGM Grand lobby on Monday at a media event for UFC 178. Everything started with a customary staredown to promote one of the year’s biggest title fights before escalating into thrown punches, flying set pieces and a massive […]
Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier could both face penalties following a fight that broke out in the MGM Grand lobby on Monday at a media event for UFC 178. Everything started with a customary staredown to promote one of the year’s biggest title fights before escalating into thrown punches, flying set pieces and a massive […]
(“I’d like to present the commission with exhibit A, and remind them that they are standing in the presence of greatness.” Photo via Getty.)
At this point, I’m convinced that Chael Sonnen could literally crawl through a river of shit and come out clean on the other side. His ability to put on a fancy suit and speak in slightly nuanced platitudes without the necessity of a translator has apparently cast a spell over MMA fans, fighters, promoters, and commissioners, from which they will never wake up.
Case in point, at today’s NSAC hearing — you know, the one where Vitor Belfort was granted a fight license because whatevs — Sonnen was handed down his punishment for failing two random drug testsin a row prior to UFC 175. After thankfully opting against a defense (outside of whatever this was) for his drug test failures, Sonnen was raked over the coals by the commission for “trying to flat out cheat the system.”
“You don’t get to stop one prohibited drug and start using five prohibited drugs,” said the Assistant AG of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, “You’ve gotten to be kidding me that you’re sticking a needle in you with EPO and HGH and didn’t know it was prohibited.”
Surely, a swift punishment was just moments away.
LOL NOPE. Despite facing a potential lifetime ban from MMA and fines totaling upwards of $250,000, the NSAC opted to slap Sonnen with a (completely meaningless now that he’s retired) two year suspension and a fine totaling 0.00 dollars. Then they offered him a f*cking job. Ahh, sweet justice!
(“I’d like to present the commission with exhibit A, and remind them that they are standing in the presence of greatness.” Photo via Getty.)
At this point, I’m convinced that Chael Sonnen could literally crawl through a river of shit and come out clean on the other side. His ability to put on a fancy suit and speak in slightly nuanced platitudes without the necessity of a translator has apparently cast a spell over MMA fans, fighters, promoters, and commissioners, from which they will never wake up.
Case in point, at today’s NSAC hearing — you know, the one where Vitor Belfort was granted a fight license because whatevs — Sonnen was handed down his punishment for failing two random drug testsin a row prior to UFC 175. After thankfully opting against a defense (outside of whatever this was) for his drug test failures, Sonnen was raked over the coals by the commission for “trying to flat out cheat the system.”
“You don’t get to stop one prohibited drug and start using five prohibited drugs,” said the Assistant AG of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, “You’ve gotten to be kidding me that you’re sticking a needle in you with EPO and HGH and didn’t know it was prohibited.”
Surely, a swift punishment was just moments away.
LOL NOPE. Despite facing a potential lifetime ban from MMA and fines totaling upwards of $250,000, the NSAC opted to slap Sonnen with a (completely meaningless now that he’s retired) two year suspension and a fine totaling 0.00 dollars. Then they offered him a f*cking job. Ahh, sweet justice!
A few other lowlights from today’s hearing…
That’s NSAC chairmen Bill Brady, publicly clarifying the conflict of interest that did not prevent him from playing a determining role in Sonnen’s punishment. Part of me thinks Brady only said this because the members of NSAC, not unlike some members of the MMA media, are just marks who only pursued the careers they did so they could brag to their friends that they are “homies” with semi-famous athletes.
“I would like the record to reflect that Mr. Sonnen *will* be in attendance at my niece’s quinceanera this weekend and that hilarious selfies will be taken.”
You hear that guys? The NSAC plans to work Sonnen “like a farm animal.” Without pay or anything! Well, except he’ll probably be paid handsomely for his services, which totally *won’t* involve helping other athletes learn how to beat the system he now holds a position in.
THIS JUST IN: Edward Snowden Hired as New Director of the NSA
Sonnen’s punishment will of course have no effect on his upcoming Metamoris match, so tune in on August 9th to see what it’s like when a BJJ legend rolls with a disgraced MMA fighter loaded to the gills on steroids. My prediction: CHAEL SMASH!!
While technique is of primary importance inside the Octagon, fighters like Mark Hunt, Roy Nelson and Diego Sanchez probably wouldn’t be where they are in the UFC today without their sheer toughness. Over the past 12 months, UFC fighters have poured blood, sweat and tears onto the Octagon canvas. They’ve endured incredible amounts of punishment […]
While technique is of primary importance inside the Octagon, fighters like Mark Hunt, Roy Nelson and Diego Sanchez probably wouldn’t be where they are in the UFC today without their sheer toughness. Over the past 12 months, UFC fighters have poured blood, sweat and tears onto the Octagon canvas. They’ve endured incredible amounts of punishment […]
The news of Lavar Johnson’s release from the UFC on Thursday shouldn’t have surprised anyone. Not really, anyway. But I wouldn’t blame you if you were at least a little bit surprised, because it’s not as though the UFC has been remarkably consistent in how it handles these types of things over the years. I’ll […]
The news of Lavar Johnson’s release from the UFC on Thursday shouldn’t have surprised anyone. Not really, anyway. But I wouldn’t blame you if you were at least a little bit surprised, because it’s not as though the UFC has been remarkably consistent in how it handles these types of things over the years. I’ll […]
The punishment dished out to Alistair Overeem for failing a random drug test by the Nevada State Athletic Commission is in all honesty, commensurate with the crime. In April of this year, it was announced that the Dutch behemoth had an overly high leve…
The punishment dished out to Alistair Overeem for failing a random drug test by the Nevada State Athletic Commission is in all honesty, commensurate with the crime. In April of this year, it was announced that the Dutch behemoth had an overly high level of testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio—14-to-1, the legally allowed limit by NSAC is 6-to-1. […]
“Listen, I know we’ve had our moments, but before you make your list just hear me out…” (Photo: Gossiboocrew.com)
We’re only a few hours into the new year, but unless your head hit the pillow just as the ball dropped, you’ve probably already carried some of your bad habits with you into 2012. We are creatures of habit, and change doesn’t come naturally to us. If it did, we wouldn’t make such a big production out of our ‘New Year’s Resolutions’. The sport of mixed martial arts and its fans are no different. Here’s a quick look at some of the bad habits we’ve picked up and poor decisions we’ve made over the past 12-months. Let’s hope we can leave them behind in yesteryear.
“Listen, I know we’ve had our moments, but before you make your list just hear me out…” (Photo: Gossiboocrew.com)
We’re only a few hours into the new year, but unless your head hit the pillow just as the ball dropped, you’ve probably already carried some of your bad habits with you into 2012. We are creatures of habit, and change doesn’t come naturally to us. If it did, we wouldn’t make such a big production out of our ‘New Year’s Resolutions’. The sport of mixed martial arts and its fans are no different. Here’s a quick look at some of the bad habits we’ve picked up and poor decisions we’ve made over the past 12-months. Let’s hope we can leave them behind in yesteryear.
“Faggot”, “Cunty”, Rape Jokes, Etc.
“That’s why pencils have erasers.” (Pic: MMAMania.com)
If I cared about people’s feelings I probably wouldn’t read this site and I certainly would write half of what I do, so don’t look to me to carry the torch for easily offended. And while I also think that it’s certainly not in the best interest of any public figure to use divisive, hateful language, it’s their right to speak their mind and live or die by their words. Lastly, although these incidents have been used by our enemies to suppress our mainstream progress, I don’t think anything short of an in-Octagon death can stop us now.
So why am I opposed to this controversial language? Simple: I don’t want a poor choice of words coming between me and great fights. We’ve already seen one fighter cut, albeit briefly, for an off-color joke, and I don’t want it to happen again. Had the UFC pulled the plug on the Brock experiment after his UFC 100 tirade, we would have missed out on many of the highs and lows of his polarizing career. And just imagine how less interesting the welterweight division would be right now if Diaz’s many past crimes were held against him. If we continue down this road, a major star is going to cross the line and we’ll all be deprived of great fights. That’s why it’s time to draw a line in the sand.
