MMA Junkie reports that the UFC and Fox are severing ties with Chael Sonnen after he failed a second drug test. Sonnen will no longer serve as analyst for Fox and MMA Junkie confirmed with the UFC that he is no longer under contract with the company.
MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani first reported that Sonnen failed another drug test after his initial drug test revealed he had taken banned substances. After the first failed drug test earlier this month, Sonnen immediately defended his position on FS1 television. Later that week, on the show he served as co-host, he announced his retirement on FS1’s “UFC Tonight.”
In his second test, it was discovered that there was presence of human growth hormone (HGH) and recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO).
Via MMA Junkie:
“The UFC and FOX Sports organizations announced today the termination of their respective broadcasting services agreements with analyst Chael Sonnen,” the statement read. “This decision comes in light of Sonnen failing a second test conducted by the Nevada Athletic Commission for banned substances in June. Sonnen was previously under temporary suspension by the Nevada Athletic Commission for failing an initial test conducted in May.”
Payout Perspective:
It will be interesting to see how Fox handles this news. FS1 did not mention it on Saturday night during UFC Fight Night. Certainly, something will have to be said when UFC Tonight returns. Although we could point to ex-athletes that have been in trouble still having studio jobs, this one is different. Severing ties with Sonnen was the only thing to do in this instance especially with the use of HGH and EPO. MMA is a sport that many mainstream people are not comfortable with due to the perceptions of it being extremely violent. The news that its fighters are taking PEDs would only confirm to some that the sport is dirty. Having Sonnen continue on air on FS1 or with the UFC would tacitly convey that the UFC and Fox are ok with Sonnen taking PEDs.
Even if the UFC wanted to continue working with Sonnen, its working relationship with Fox compelled them to make the decision.
Completely disagree. Chael was not oropendola to have competed with those drugs in his system. Also I don’t believe any of those drugs are illegal if they are prescribed. So Chael had legal drugs in his system and was retired from the sport. There was no reason for FOX to get involved and punish Chael. I will no longer support many of the shows on Fox sports 1. This was no the right way to handle this. He should have been suspended for a few months.
Fox is really threatened of b.s. No longer supporting many of its shows…that it reversed its decision and rehires sonnen hahahaha…
Getting hgh and epo even in the pre competition phase still gives the athletes unfair advantage…faster recovery time,longer workouts…endurance….still cheatingw
Chael Sonnen is a fucking joke, a fraud in business and a fraud in MMA, good riddance. Maybe the WWE will pick him up.
Anybody who believes Chael’s excuses is insane. He plays stupid a lot. Thats what got him into real estate trouble. At the end of the day he could have easily called the commission and asked if these substances were banned. He did not. So long fuck face.
He knew what the rules were he knew what his contract with fox said . Would it be ok for someone to get a dui but since it was prescription would that make it ok? I think not. Its too bad i liked him but seriously what has he done for ratings latley? Maybe a reasercher can let us know.
For the UFC, you can’t have a guy who has had so much trouble with PEDs representing your company. For Fox, you can’t have a guy who no one takes seriously as an analyst.
Chael turned himself into a joke and a hypocrite with his continued PED violations and I have no problem with him getting the axe. He always has an excuse, as anyone with a mouth like his will, but his excused don’t mean a damn thing. I would have a problem if he was on FS1 giving his opinions on fighting. Who is going to listen to him at this point? What opinion of his can possibly be relevant? There are much better guys out there (e.g. Brian Stann, Kenny Florian, Cormier) who can represent both the sport and the UFC. It’s time for Chael to take his needles and go home. Enough is enough with this clown.
Lol you think DC and Kenny and Stann are clean? What does PEs have to do with his job as analyst? Anyone who doesn’t respect his opinion on the fights is a fool who doesn’t know anything about the fight game. Not only does he know more about the game than the rest and has done it longer. He is smarter and better at explaining it and get his message across than the others. He was 10 times better than anyone on the show. He is a natural on the camera even when it wasn’t mma related when he was on FS1 sport shows he stole the show. This was a huge mistake by fox. Now another network will get him and claim he has learned his lesson and hire him. All fox had to do was suspend him 3-6 months.
Good I can’t stand him anyway go run your mouth now at home at you BBQ with the wife.