Chael Sonnen Set to Appeal Positive Steroids Test, Jim Rome Chimes In
By: Oliver Saenz Posted On: September 22, 2010 at 8:30am
The MMA world received quite a shock when it was announced recently that former UFC Middleweight contender Chael Sonnen, the man that had come closer to beating long-reigning UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva than any of Silva’s other opponents, had tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. The story immediately caught fire, and things got even more dramatic when a California State Athletic Commission representative confirmed that Sonnen had tested positive for “a steroid substance”. Much has been made of the mile-a-minute trash-talking Sonnen’s total blackout of the media on this subject, but new details have been revealed courtesy of Sonnen’s manager. And one of the most interesting and famous names in sports journalism, Jim Rome, recently gave his opinion on the matter.
First, here’s what Sonnen’s manager had to say in an interview with MMA Fighting: “It is our policy not to comment on pending actions by the Athletic Commission. Chael is consulting with his legal advisors and physicians and will have a statement in the near future. Chael will file an appeal with the CSAC and looks forward to working with the Commission to resolve this matter.”
And here’s what Jim Rome of “Jim Rome is Burning” fame had to say, courtesy of the Jim Rome Show (with text courtesy of MMA Mania): “Every sport has a drug problem. The UFC is facing the same issue that every sport is dealing with. But it’s nearly impossible to eradicate. As long as guys think the reward to use is always going to outweigh the risk, they’re not going to stop. I’m not saying you stop trying, you have to educate these guys, you have to penalize these guys, but they are still gonna do it. Stakes are way too high, the rewards are way too great. Guys will always cheat.”
As I find myself doing so often these days, I both agree and disagree with Jim Rome. I think it’s a harsh reality, but one that we all must face: cheaters will always cheat. But I disagree that there’s nothing that we can do about it. What we can do is penalize the cheaters so harshly that only the most desperate fighters turn to steroids and other performance enhancing drugs. Science has proven that these men are gambling much more than their careers when they use and abuse PED’s. They need to learn their lessons, pay their fines, and spend their time on the sidelines. And if they don’t learn, they need to be released from their contracts and left to their own devices. It’s a harsh stance to take, but if some folks really will never learn, then they aren’t worth a promotion’s time.
In regards to Sonnen’s gathering of the troops, I have to say that I’m not surprised. Of course Chael Sonnen was going to appeal this. There’s just no way he would take this attack on his credibility lying down. But my prognosis remains bleak: I don’t think Sonnen is in a fight that he can win. Sonnen messed up in several ways, and there are very few avenues to pursue that the California State Athletic Commission can’t trap him in. It’s going to be a dirty, bloody courthouse battle, but Chael Sonnen is going to once again lose the most important fight of his career. Judging on all the information that’s been revealed up to this point, I just don’t see any way for him to win.
But what about you, fans and friends? Do you agree or disagree with Jim Rome, and why? And how did you think Sonnen’s appeal will go?
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Comments
The dirty secret here is that, surprise!, The UFC (and the NFL, and the MLB, etc) want their athletes to take steroids(indirectly). They will have tests and “educational seminars” and various tiny fines and suspensions to create the appearance that they don’t want steroids involved but they actually do.
Before Chael, one of the biggest busts was Sean Sherk, the world champion. He gets fined, suspended and stripped of his belt and then what happens? He gets an IMMEDIATE TITLE SHOT for his first fight back?
The messages the UFC (and the NFL, MLB,) are very, very clearly sending their athletes is this:
1) You will be fired if you don’t perform well
2) Do not get caught taking steroids.
2) You will not be fired if you take steroids.
If the UFC truly did not want their athletes taking steroids they would do this:
- random tests throughout the year. At 3 a.m., you could get woken up by a doctor to test you, wether or not you are preparing for a fight. Don’t like it? Leave the UFC.
- $ 250,000 fine if you are caught using
and/or
- Lifelong ban from the UFC for using.
But no, what did Dana come out and say?
Basically “give Chael a break”.
In fact, i can’t think of a UFC fighter EVER being cut for using steroids. (there may have been)
Hermes Franca got cut for losing, not using.
Steroids are in MMA because the UFC and the fans want them to be.
The bottom line is that the UFC is not taking a harsh stance on steroids because steroids don’t hurt their business that much. Bad fights do.
most anabolic roids only stay in the system for 6-8 months … most fighters train for 4-6 months for a match of that kind of caliber …
How often has Brock Lesnar competed? whats the likely hood of him using roids ? sure even if he doesnt use them anymore … he is the biggest man in UFC today … and its because of preformance enhancing drugs …
if it means a title there are ways to use drugs to enhance yourself and still appear clean .. so you take a year off to train … 2-3 months heavy weight trainning on roids and 9 months of flushing before a major fight …. win the title and get your name down .. then determine do you fight every 6 months or every 10 and continue roid use in the safe period.
if it turns out that shonnen did use illegal drugs to enhance his preformance at ufc 117 .. then a huge penalty is in order .. both suspention and cash .. but look at the shark … he beat hermes franka for the title on roids .. they took away his title suspended him for 8 months and then when he came back he got a new title shot after what 1 or 2 fights…
this means they already have president .. .so sonnen will be suspended for about a year fined … and then come back win two fights and get another shot at silva … assuming nate marquart doesnt have a better answer for him before that time… i expect a rematch for “the great” will be an awesome match up … especially now that sonnen really showed silvas weakness …. charge at him and dont let him dance around .. take him to the ground and pound him out.
If Chael did? Shame on him. I don’t this kid would use steroids. As far as Jim Rome. Well he’s just like the rest of the media world except a little worse he comments on things (sports) that is manily i think because he just dosent have the balls to compete himself. So he just lives his life talking about what other people do. Jim it’s my opinion you need help buddy…. Take off those flashy suits and strap them on. either get in the cage, step on the field, court, etc. or just shut up man. other people write what you say and then you try and take credit for it. I feel sorry for you and your Daddy. you are a poor excuse for a man. seek councel buddy. You need it……. JR
some individuals think he’s a great wrestler, but how long has he been using steroids? no one has even asked that question. how do we know he hasnt gotten this far by abusing these drugs and then having the gall to talk about someone like Lance Armstrong. As far as i’m concerned LA shouldn’t even have come out of this clowns mouth. he fought/cheated in the fight with AS and still lost. all u sonnen fans can say what u want but he doesnt even have a record worth of mention, he got into the number 1 slot by luck. He’s nothing but a loud mouth half skilled mma fighter that’s talking loud but saying nothing. question is, would he have gone thru 5 rounds with anderson silva if he hadnt used steroids? that’s the real question.
@Jovan
you honestly think silva isnt using steroids i got news for you the way he easily bulked up for the griffen fight with little to no fat and a extreme increase in muscle size that is a serious sign of steroids its just like drfirewater stated its easy to take em and get clean before an actual fight im not defending anyone im just saying i bet 70 percent of the fighters in the ufc use steroids some definate users in my opinion are lesnar silva and mir just judging by how large their neck and shoulders get at different points so its wrong and serious penalties need to be made to stop this i wanna c real athletes not artificial ones
perfect paragraph. Well said.
I agree with everything.
@Jovan
Being such a big mma fan and watching silva vs sonnen I thought that was one of the best fights to ever take place in the octagon. But this happening is so bad for the sport. Chael sonnen attracted a lot of people by talking all that trash. He made a lot of fans by giving a performance of a life time. He talked a lot of shit even after the fight. Everyone knows what a big mouth he is, and something like this happens he does not even say a word. Wonder what kind of excuse and what kind of shit he is going to talk now. The penelty should be “1 yr suspension. 2 years no title shot. And if he still wants to fight those 2 years he should fight for free”. No other way to get rid of this problem. After that if he is worth it and if he has been clean for that 2 years then he can get paid and then he may have his title shot. (if he’s still good enough) The reason this punishment should be harsh is because it is unfair for the fighters who don’t go on roids.
I am so disappointed. Chael Sonnen is the most exciting fighter to come around the UFC ever. He was fun to watch, fun to root for, and all this just ruins it. I believe with his technique, he would have been able to beat Silva without steriods. Steroids effect your cardio, and that is what you need the most to do what Sonnen does. He goes non-stop, and yes, I am sure the steroids helped his strength, and made him recover better for training, etc, but he did not need them. He just though he did. Honestly, I feel sorry for him. The temptation is SOOOOO great for these atheletes to take PED’s. They see all kinds of people doing it, getting away with it, and they figure it is worth the risk, plus they are also tempted with the idea that others do it, so maybe they need to in order to get to the top. All that potential glory makes these guys do whatever it takes, including cheating. Some say “if you are not cheating, you are not trying.” Although I completely disagree with this philosphy, I am just a fan. All of us are just fans and we do not understand what it is like to be a UFC fighter and willing to do whatever it takes to be the best. Chael is a rare breed and unfortunately, his zeal for the sport was not tempered with the grace he needs from our Lord Jesus Christ. We ALL need His grace, or we are powerless against that kind of temptation. Don’t say that most fighters don’t believe. I see them do the sign of the cross before fights. I hope they will take it more seriously, and let God rule their lives. I will forgive him if he will make a comeback clean and take that title. I still want to see him win.
Sonnen “the most exciting”.This is bad comedy.How long have you been watching UFC.Even Couture occasionally finishes opponents,has Sonnen ever?Lay and pray isn’t exciting neither is ginding out boring decisions. Can’t imagine thie boring tyranny of a Sonnen Championship reighn.
Sonnen, just another Big Mouth Hypocritical Conservative Cheat.
Get a job on Wall Street, Sonnen, and rob a few old ladies of their retirement savings. That’s your style, punk.
I really don’t understand how everyone likes sonnen so much. He talked *** about Silva for 3 months and lost. He’s the greatest fighter in the UFC because he almost beat someone? Basically what you are saying is that a baseball player who flys out to the warning track everytime is the greatest alive. He put on a good fight against Silva but in the end he didn’t win. It’s that simple, he didn’t win. I don’t know how someone can say he would have won with or without steriods when he lost….
i’m amazed sonnen has even got 1 supporter left. all over the internet some people are trying to defend him. amazing
STEROIDS-BOYCOTT-STEROIDS-BOYCOTT-STEROIDS-BOYCOTT
Done with MMA, Football, Baseball, Hockey, Basketball, Underwater Basket weaving, ha,ha,ha etc.
I am tired of all the cheaters and steroids. If a sport cannot do olympic style blood and urine testing for hgh, steroids, etc, then they are not going to get my money. Look at baseball. Even though the sport is boring and has many problems, steroids killed baseball’s revenue. I see the empty stands and see how cameras try to manipulate seating shots to make it appear there is a full stadium. A real man stands on his own two feet for what he is and struggles to change his weaknesses into strengths, not cheat with steroids. All those mma cheaters are just a bunch of losers, and regardless of the media hype or money thrown they will always look like that in everyone’s eyes, period. Why don’t I give everyone a bat who didn’t take steroids to even the playing field. Americans know their “pro” sports are tainted, and we don’t need to wait for congress to fix you. Everyone speaks of mma like it is a circus rather than a sport because of all the controversy. You are going the same route as fake wrestling or strongman competitions that make no money because of steroid losers. It is cause and effect. Less fans, less attendance at other venues like bars, means less money for all businesses around. Regulate steroids before it destroys your source of income. I know I am not going to any events until you fix this crap.
List of Steroid Cheaters, some are still with their organizations after a slap on the wrist.ex Chris Leben
JOSH BARNETT (now with strikeforce), TIM SYLVIA, KIMO LEOPOLDO, NATE MARQUARDT, VITOR BELFORT, STEPHAN BONNAR, PAWEL NASTULA, KIT COPE, JOHNNIE MORTON, ROYCE GRACIE, JORGE ORTIZ, PHIL BARONI, SEAN SHERK (still with UFC), HERMES FRANCA, ANTHONY TORRES, BILL MAHOOD, ADAM SMITH, JASON WINTHERS, RUBEN VILLAREAL, DENNIS HALLMAN, ALEXANDER CRISPIM, CARINA DAMM, ALEXANDRE NOGUEIRA, ANTONIO SILVA, EDWIN DEWEES, CHRIS LEBEN (still with UFC), KIRILL SIDELNIKOV, KEN SHAMROCK, JOSH BARNETT, COLE PROVINCE, CHAEL SONNEN (still with UFC), SHANE CARWIN (not caught but federal link to purchase of steroids).
Really, you cheat you get another chance, bullshit!!!
For everyone who supports steroid use, I don’t know what to say. You are either born a man or not, and compensating by drugs pretty much answers those questions. Everyone can see when most anyone really abuses steroids, and notes records broken, and people dying of cancer early. I hope those that support it take it and die from the stuff so the rest of us can enjoy this rock with a few less losers on it.
Piss tests are not good enough because any cheater can use a catheter and fill his bladder with whatever at any time. The testing is also not that costly, for blood and urine, so that argument don’t fly with me either. Also sports need to publicly state who was on what whenever they fail a test. Football and baseball keep their information private other than announcing a failed PED. I hear about a steroid user and I boycott and bad mouth.
Dana White you are a DOUCHE
Army of Darkness
@Jovan
Actually, the real question is when will all the fighters get caught using steroids. You’re stupid if you think they’re clean. All of them, Anderson Silva, Randy, GSp, they’re all on it. Steroids are rampant in college and even high schools now. And you’re telling me only the odd guy in UFC is using? Give me a break. Even Royce Gracie got caught using steroids when he was fighting in Japan.
If you want to watch MMA, do it knowing that they ALL use it. And if they ALL use it, nobody has the advantage over the other. Is it against the rules?…yes….is it giving anyone an advantage over the other?…no.
@ BK1234
First off I agree somewhat but we as americans asked for this! Not this year or the last 5 but over time through generations so let’s not act like we don’t expect unreachable goals! 2nd franca did test positive in the same fight sherk did, homework! So has sylvia, shamrock, ortiz, and many others now carwin is dealing with his mess too! But that # triples in the nfl and mlb so it is everywhere! I know personally golfers on the stuff so its not just where you think! Let’s not overreact either though, its never been proven to kill you, that’s a myth! And 2nd generation sports will always be under the knife where other sports fly above! How many nascar drivers are testing pos for other more serrious drugs (meth) and stars our kids idolize music/ movie are always getting busted with cocaine and more serious just flat out habitual hardcore drugs that aren’t even intended to help with anything! Let’s focus our attention on the more serious matters before my tax dollars go into another mlb situation!
Say it ain’t so Sonnen. I hope this is a mistake. If not he is nothing but a fake, phony and a fraud. Here is how you stop steroid abuse in all sports. No one can use PED’s PERIOD. Once you are caught you are done in all professional athletic sports. No fines, No missing 2,4,6,8 games. You are done! That is the only way you stop it. Same goes with coaches, trainers, etc. Any one of them knows that their athlete is using, you are gone for good as well. Until then we have this sorry crap we get every year. Stop the madness.
YOU GUYS ARE NOT SAYING NOTHING ABOUT IF HE’D WON THE BELT? THAT HE BROKE A.SILVA’S RIBS..THAT SEEMINGLY ALL OF THESE FIGHTS IN THE UFC GET THE SAME TEST BEFORE AND AFTER THE FIGHT AND HE’S BEEN THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS BEEN CAUGHT USING SINCE 2006 OR WHENEVER SHERK GOT CAUGHT..C’MON MAN I ADMIT THAT IT WAS AN EXCITING FIGHT TO THE END …BUT IF HE HADNT TOOK THE P.E.D’S ANDERSON WOULD HAVE ENDED IT IN THE FIRST ROUND..RIGHT?HIS TAPPING OUT THEN ACTIN ALL CRAZY LIKE HE DIDNT TAP OUT…D.E.N.I.A.L….FIRST STAGE OF ANY ADDICTION…LIKE I SAID ALL THAT EXTRA STRENGTH BROKE ANDERSON’S RIBS..DOES THAT COUNT FOR ANYTHING? AND HE STILL ALMOST BROKE YALL BOY’S ARM IN THE END…I SAY SOME FIGHTERS RESPECT THEIR BODIES AND ACTUALLY TRAIN LIKE THE REST OF THE RESPECTFUL ATHLETES..FREE OF ANY POISOINING THEIR BODIES.. I KNOW I DO AND KNOW I HAVE TO RELY ON MY SKILLS AND SWEAT AND BLOOD TO WIN AND NOT WONDERING DURING A FIGHT IF MY ENHANCING DRUG IS WEARING OFF AND IF I SHOULD DRINK SOME IN MY WATER DURING THE BREAK TO GET MORE OUT OF MY DRUG THAN MYSELF…BOOOOOOOO CHAEL SONNEN I WAS STARTING TO LIKE YOU….U LOSER JUNKIE
This is Sparta, and I only speak the truth.
For those that are supporting steroid use for one reason or another, I cannot help but wonder if you actually work or get money from the UFC. I noticed my postings on Sherdog’s loser site were pulled, and did not violate any of their rules. I simply spoke the truth on steroid abuse. Dana White wants steroids and is deathly afraid of regulation. He has said it in more ways than one. All the public posts, which I support like this one, tell the truth. Most all of the posts are against cheaters and steroids. I have yet to find a post that says that guys like Sonnen should not get punished if it is proven that he took steroids. So watch these people that flat out support steroids, ridiculous.
Congress focused on baseball, and all other sports, including Olympic testing, is on the way for a change. Blogging is good, but WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN AGAINST STEROID ABUSE. In time “pro” sports will get cleaned up.
Wouldn’t all of you athletes who play by the rules like a chance to make money and play for pro sports. If the steroid cheaters are removed sports takes on a whole new light. I would like to be payed big money, but I am not willing to get cancer, wreck my organs and shrink may only reason for being on this planet. People who take steroids are weak and easily influenced by what others say.
It is simple, whether they all or just some take steroids in any sport, steroids are unfair. They give you a muscle advantage, and we know it changes the game, period. Those that take steroids are losers.
Dana White you and Sherdog are still Douchebags, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
First off, Silva is not on steroids. That was a dumb statement made previously. Just dumb. Secondly, you could tell the entire fight that Sonnen was on roids. He was covered in acne, and no one has been able to hold Silva down like that. Silva is a skilled and tactical fighter, and if you were paying attention, he fought the entire fight with a broken rib, and left the octagon without a scratch.
Sonnen did a good job of controlling the fight, but that was only because of the roids. Sonnen deserves to be suspended from fighting, and doesn’t deserve any respect from that fight.
Also, the UFC, or any other professional sports organization does not secretly encourage their athletes to use performance enhancing drugs. As a coach, and coming from a family of coaches, that’s not how athletics work. You encourage your athletes to train hard, and keep their minds straight. Athletes take it upon themselves to debunk everything their coaches have told them out of selfish desperation.
Silva is a hard working athlete and deserves the title that he holds.
And Sonnen sucks.
look people there are things called diuretics, these help flush all the water out of the body and help purify the blood, steroids go into the blood stream and the use of diuretics will flush it out, all bodybuilders take it “to cut weight” but really is to flush out the steroid active life. Chael couldve been taking pills like HGH or testo booster, but to say he is a steroidabuser is absolutely ridiculous
@JR Bautista
Chael did not use any substance to enhance his performance, Chael does not do drugs of any type.
All i have to add to this topic is that chael sonnen talked all that shit about brazillian fighters and anderson silva when chael hasent even came close to the greatness anderson silva has acheived bottom line this douche bag chael used steriods and still LOST! so not only does he not deserve a rematch ever! i think the ufc should not reward this kinda shit talking with no pay off as in the case of chael sonnen?
lets look at this as well guys?
vanderlay silva = better then chael sonnen
anderson silva= better then chael sonnen
vitor belfort = better then chael sonnen
marico shogun hua = better then chael sonnen
ALL BRAZILIAN FIGHTERS BY THE WAY
Evidently Earl you did not hear me.
@BK1234
josh barnett was cut fromt he UFC, but I believe he failed 2 drug tests with them before he was cut, but you made some very good points
@MadMike If you really think Anderson Silva is on roids you are an idiot. Even at 205 Silva looked really lean not muscular AT ALL. Because of his height, Silva walks around at over 200 pounds so for him to fight at 205 is more his natural weight without cutting to make 185. You clearly know nothing about mma.
@drfirewater
I don’t understand why guys even consider roids. There are many natural performance enhancers you can take every day. It’s ridiculous to use drugs and call yourself an athlete. And I’m a big Chael Sonnen fan. Hopefully it’s not truly the case with him. They just said “a steroid substance.” Which could very well mean that it wasn’t steroids at all, just a substance he might’ve taken as part of one of these metabolic / cellular enhancement packs. A lot of them have certain substances that are found in steroids yet can be bought at GNC any time you want them. It sucks but it’s true.
Keep your faith s.o.u.l.1—Chael has never done drugs of any kind other than what a doctor has prescribed.
@Mark
@mark your an ignorant do nothing lib that thinks its the non libs job in life to doll out wellfare to pathetic examples of life such as yourself. you should take your own advice, get a job, get off foodstamps, and profit.
jim rome seems to be like tolerating this kind of usage of drugs,he don’t directly defend Sonnen but for me i think he is on Sonnen’s side..
i’m a big fan of Silva taht why when i waswatching the fight, i can’t hardly believe that he is overwheelming Silva…the more Sonnen talking none-sense, it only reveals his desperation taht he want to take Silva’s position…
so sad for for Sonnen that he could not be able to get into that position…
Sonnen is a LOSER!
and for Silva, keep fighting and keep beating!
Does any one think Vitor belfort has a chance against silva ?
@Tyler
No…. Silva is a bad matchup for Vitor. Vitor will get knocked out because of his aggression. Silva is an excellent counter striker.
Cheal wasn’t using steroids, he’s to nice of guy to do something like that, no but it is sad that these fighters are juicing when martial artist or any pro athlete are supposed to have honor and integrity and have kids look up to them, maybe we can start a league just for people who use and a clean league