If Cung Le has his way, his time as a UFC fighter is over. Speaking with Josh Gross on the Gross Point Blank podcast, Le minced no words when discussing his feelings on the UFC’s handling of his recent drug-testing issues, flatly saying, “I prefer not to put the effort into something I don’t believe […]
If Cung Le has his way, his time as a UFC fighter is over. Speaking with Josh Gross on the Gross Point Blank podcast, Le minced no words when discussing his feelings on the UFC’s handling of his recent drug-testing issues, flatly saying, “I prefer not to put the effort into something I don’t believe […]
(“You have brought great shame upon your chest hair on this day, Mr. Drysdale.” — Brian Ebersole. Photo via MMAJunkie)
When we last checked in with the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s crack team of regulators, we learned that they had yet to drug test middleweight contender/former TRT user/former steroid cheat Vitor Belfort since relicensing him on July 23rd. That NSAC commissioner Anthony Marnell had promised to test Belfort “until the day he retired” before immediately shirking the responsibility to the California State Athletic Commission probably should have come as a big surprise to us. Yet it did not.
And for our second installment of “Great Job, Nevada!”, we return to July, which was apparently a pretty busy month for the NSAC. Aside from the whole Vitor Belfort re-licensing issue, they had to deal with Kevin Casey and Robert Drysdale, who tested positive for drostanolone and elevated testosterone, respectively, at UFC 175 and the TUF 19 Finale (respectfully). While Casey was hit with a $5,600 fine and a year-long suspension almost immediately, Drysdale’s case was pushed back for whatever reason, despite the the fact that it had been his second-such failed test in less than two fights under the UFC banner.
In any case, the word has been handed down and it looks like Drysdale is destined to become one of those “what could’ve been”-type fighters…
(“You have brought great shame upon your chest hair on this day, Mr. Drysdale.” — Brian Ebersole. Photo via MMAJunkie)
When we last checked in with the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s crack team of regulators, we learned that they had yet to drug test middleweight contender/former TRT user/former steroid cheat Vitor Belfort since relicensing him on July 23rd. That NSAC commissioner Anthony Marnell had promised to test Belfort “until the day he retired” before immediately shirking the responsibility to the California State Athletic Commission probably should have come as a big surprise to us. Yet it did not.
And for our second installment of “Great Job, Nevada!”, we return to July, which was apparently a pretty busy month for the NSAC. Aside from the whole Vitor Belfort re-licensing issue, they had to deal with Kevin Casey and Robert Drysdale, who tested positive for drostanolone and elevated testosterone, respectively, at UFC 175 and the TUF 19 Finale (respectfully). While Casey was hit with a $5,600 fine and a year-long suspension almost immediately, Drysdale’s case was pushed back for whatever reason, despite the the fact that it had been his second-such failed test in less than two fights under the UFC banner.
In any case, the word has been handed down and it looks like Drysdale is destined to become one of those “what could’ve been”-type fighters (via MMAFighting):
“I think we have given the industry adequate time to adjust to our elimination of this type of an exemption,” said Commissioner Skip Avansino.
As a result of his failed test, the NAC imposed a one-year suspension on Drysdale retroactive to his July fight, fined Drysdale 33-percent of his $16,000 fight purse ($5,280), and overturned his win over Berish into a no contest.
Why Drysdale is still employed with the UFC is anyone’s guess, but we’d just like to thank those continuously on-point folks over in Nevada for wrapping this up in a timely a manner as possible. (*armpit fart*)
Cung Le is back in the UFC after UFC officials rescinded the middleweight’s suspension, which they originally handed down when Le supposedly failed an August drug test the UFC itself administered. The UFC announced the decision Tuesday in a statement, which was initially reported by Damon Martin of Fox Sports. Le had failed the screening, […]
Cung Le is back in the UFC after UFC officials rescinded the middleweight’s suspension, which they originally handed down when Le supposedly failed an August drug test the UFC itself administered. The UFC announced the decision Tuesday in a statement, which was initially reported by Damon Martin of Fox Sports. Le had failed the screening, […]
(“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.
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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!!
Jimi Manuwa will have some time to reflect on the loss to Alexander Gustafsson after the medical suspensions for UFC Fight Night 37 were handed out. Manuwa, Michael Johnson, Brad Pickett, Brad Scott and Gunnar Nelson are all among those who were handed the longest suspensions. The UFC released the information, as they were acting […]
Jimi Manuwa will have some time to reflect on the loss to Alexander Gustafsson after the medical suspensions for UFC Fight Night 37 were handed out. Manuwa, Michael Johnson, Brad Pickett, Brad Scott and Gunnar Nelson are all among those who were handed the longest suspensions. The UFC released the information, as they were acting […]
UFC 167 sparked a ferocious debate: Who really won the night’s main event? Did Georges St-Pierre retain his welterweight title, or did Johny Hendricks do enough to steal the gold hardware from around GSP‘s waist? Fans and critics backing Hendricks repeatedly pointed to the welterweight champion’s busted mug, saying “Look how busted up he is, […]
UFC 167 sparked a ferocious debate: Who really won the night’s main event? Did Georges St-Pierre retain his welterweight title, or did Johny Hendricks do enough to steal the gold hardware from around GSP‘s waist? Fans and critics backing Hendricks repeatedly pointed to the welterweight champion’s busted mug, saying “Look how busted up he is, […]
