Josh vs. The CSAC
As controversial and opinionated as Chael Sonnen is, the man got hosed by the California State Athletic Commission. George Dodd and the CSAC issued a ruling against Sonnen Wednesday, May 18th that the his license is suspended until May 18th, 2012. The future seemed grim for Sonnen until the CSAC, caused by their own ineptitude, realized they had applied the wrong ruling to Sonnen's case. Because his license was never revoked in the first place, only suspended, he is free to reapply for a fighter's license on June 30th, 2011.
Sonnen elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio after his fight with Anderson Silva on August 7th, 2010. He served a 6 month suspension and paid a $2,500 fine. The issue with the CSAC is that Sonnens suspension was reduced because he was taking testosterone as part of an approved use exemption and that Nevada was aware of this. NSAC director Keith Kizer denied approving or knowing about Sonnens treatments. This ultimately led California to indefinitely suspend Sonnen.
Why is this bullshit? Because Sonnen has basically already served a years suspension and paid his fine. Hes 9 months removed from his last fight and the CSAC is saying that he is indefinitely suspended. While hes free to apply for a new license on June 30th, if the commission denies him this license he cannot reapply for another year. At 34 years of age, this effectively all but retires Sonnen from the sport. Due to his recent legal troubles Sonnens primary source of income is the UFC. The CSAC has decided to indefinitely take that away from him because they felt that he was less than truthful at his last appeal.
Less than truthful, lets examine that statement Mr. Dodd. How truthful have Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mark McGuire, and Sammy Sosa been? They havent been very truthful. How truthful has Lance Armstrong been about his usage? Hell, people are still coming forward saying they saw him use steroids. Mr. Dodd, regardless of what you or the CSAC believe, Sonnen does not NEED to admit to anything, he only needs to pay his fine and serve his suspension. An individual can be convicted of a criminal offense, never admit to it, and still serve his sentence and continue on with his life.
Youve chosen to hold Sonnens career hostage until youre satisfied. Josh Barnett has tested positive twice for steroids and yet, he continues to find work. Your ruling on Sonnen all but ensures that other State Athletic Commissions would uphold his suspension and deny him a license. Barnett simply has to pass a drug test and he will be issued a license. While Im aware that Barnett has yet to be licensed by the CSAC, it has not impeded him from finding work.
Antonio Margarito and his trainer put plaster of Paris in his gloves and was only suspended a year by the CSAC. This is far more egregious than being less than truthful. In addition to this, it was found that Margaritos wraps in other fights contained the same stains as those left after his Mosley fight. Where was Margaritos indefinite suspension? Its clear that the CSAC has some unresolved issues with Chael Sonnen that are clearly not related to these testosterone ratios. Perhaps the CSAC felt that the courts punishment wasnt good enough and added their own, I dont know. What I do know is that the CSACs not consistent with their punishments. If the CSAC wants to send a message, up Sonnens suspension to a full year and increase his fine to something similar to that of Thiago Silva. Hermes Franca and Sean Sherk both received one year suspensions for failing drug tests. To this day Sherk has not admitted to his positive test. He denies any wrong-doing, but hes been allowed to fight and was not issued an indefinite suspension.
The CSAC refused to hear Matt Lindlands statements about having conversations with Kizer. Kizer said he didnt recall having conversations with Lindland about Sonnens treatments and that he think [hed] remember that. Because of Kizers insistence that Lindland was lying, despite the fact that Dr. Czarnecki insisted that nobody outside of, UFC physician, Jeff Davidson had told Sonnen or his team that he needed to take special measures for this legitimate treatment. The CSAC has conveniently ignored any and all evidence that would shed light on the fact that this was a mistake and wont happen again. Instead theyve strapped on their jackboots and have decided to do to Sonnen what they have failed to do to any other fighter that has committed more serious offenses.
The CSAC is in the wrong here and theyre being unreasonable with their punishment. This is the first blemish on Sonnens fight career and theyre acting like he was a repeat offender. In 37 professional fights all over the globe, Sonnen has committed one offense and the CSAC has chosen to hold his career hostage. This is a gross miscarriage of justice and something the CSAC ought to be ashamed of and rectify. Sonnen deserves to make a living regardless of what the CSAC thinks the criminal court system should have done. Sonnens legal troubles are of no consequence to the CSAC and they have been dealt with in the proper setting and venue. Additional punishment from the CSAC is unwarranted and ought to be met with swift and appropriate action. Let Sonnen fight, California. The fans want him back, the sport needs him back, and he deserves to come back. Pick a punishment and stick with it. Denying him a license for another year is unprecedented and ridiculously inconsistent. The CSAC should be ashamed.
