MMA Junkie reports that the Nevada State Athletic Commission may attempt to block Chael Sonnen’s appearance at this Saturday’s Metamoris grappling event in Los Angeles. The Commission believes his participating is in violation of the suspension that was handed out last month.
Junkie identified a source “close to the commission” that stated the commission sent a letter to Sonnen informing him that the Metamoris event violated the terms of his suspension. Sonnen’s legal rep responded to the NSAC’s definition of competing. No word yet from officials at Metamoris.
The news was initially reported by BR’s Jeremy Botter. Sonnen could be fined $250,000 per drug violation. As you may recall, Sonnen tested positive for 5 PEDs and was given a 2 year ban by the NSAC without a monetary fine but for payment of doctor fees for the drug tests that he did not pass.
Although the Metamoris event is not sanctioned by the California State Athletic Commission as it’s not considered a combat sport, the NSAC does not want Sonnen to participate.
Payout Perspective:
Hard decision for Sonnen and a very concerning issue for Metamoris since Sonnen is in the featured event of the online PPV. Without Sonnen, buys for the event may not be as high. Furthermore, the organization may get complaints from those that purchased the event early to take advantage of the discounted rate. For Sonnen, he runs the risk of a stiff fine and he does not have a current place of employment. We shall see if the NSAC enforces its threat of a penalty.
So the NSAC wants to have its say on an unrelated, unsactioned event that is happening in another state under a different sport? LOL
Whats next? NSAC trying to block Sonnen from softball matches?
If grappling is not considered a combat sport in that state and not in need of regulation then who cares.
…Even Andy Foster of the CSAC said he is not getting involved since it is not “Full Contact”.
If I was Sonnen I would grapple and the use the NSAC. There is no way they would win. There is no mention of hissy pension being for anything other than Mma. Barnett wrestled in Japan during his suspension. They have no jurisdiction over grappling and would be over stepping their bounds and responsible for Chaels lost wages of they prevent him illegally from competing. This is black mail. “If you do this we are going to do this. Even though we have no right to do that and you have every right to grapple.”