While we always knew that Chael Sonnen was a man who had no problem outlining his opinions on just about any subject, it appears that even includes his own substance abuse.
After he was given two-year suspension from MMA by the Nevada Athletic Commission for substance abuse, the normally opinionated Sonnen remained quiet, aside from making a controversial appearance at Metamoris 4 in Los Angeleas last weekend. The quiet treatment was stranger from an athlete who has made a career out of voicing what he thinks.
The middleweight and light heavyweight former contender finally broke his silence about the subject on pro wrestler Chris Jericho’s “Talk Is Jericho” podcast and opened about the events that forced the cancellation of his UFC 175 match against Vitor Belfort and eventually led to his retirement. He also admitted to unequivocally using banned substances.
“I didn’t think I’d be tested for another 44 days,” Sonnen said of the random, pre-fight drug tests for which he was caught. “I tried to game the system. I was hit on a surprise test that was 44 days before a fight. Generally in our business we’re tested fight night, so whatever it is you’re doing or you’re not doing, you gotta show up clean on fight day. When I talk about being dirty, I’m not talking about steroids or illegal drugs. I gotta make this distinction, if you ever failed a drug test, you are automatically taking something illegal and they were steroids, that’s just the way it works in people’s minds. Well, first off, none of them were illegal, and none of them were steroids, but I never offered a defense. I turned in my prescriptions. I got this from the doctor, this was valid stuff, but, these are still against the rules, I knew it. ”
Sonnen said that he knew that he was cheating when he was doing, and also copped to the fact that they aided his performance.
“I’m a grown man,” Sonnen said. “I knew what I was doing I thought I could have my cake and eat it too. I can take this, I can feel great, they make me feel good, and that’s one of the problems I have. They go ‘these are performance enhancers.’ I go, ‘guys, why else am I taking it?’ I’m showing up to the doctors saying doc ‘do you have anything to make me feel worse?'”
