Nevada’s Kizer and California’s Dodd speak on Sonnen suspension
If you talk to George Dodd, commissioner of the CSAC where Sonnen tested positive for steroids, you’re likely to get…
If you talk to George Dodd, commissioner of the CSAC where Sonnen tested positive for steroids, you’re likely to get a more somber analysis of the situation. Dodd confirmed that the hearing is still set to take place.
As far as I know our lawyer and his lawyers have said the date is still on for December 2. But when we get there and it happens it’s a different thing, said Dodd. Josh [Barnett] was scheduled to appear and they said he was going to show up but he never did.
Josh Barnett finds himself in a similar situation to Sonnen after testing positive for a banned substance prior to his fight with Fedor Emelianenko at Afflicition: Trilogy. The difference being that Sonnen’s failed test didn’t crash an entire promotion. Dodd voiced that if neither of them show up for the hearings then they can plan on not fighting in California. Sonnen’s license will continue to be suspended and Barnett will continue to go without one.
As far as Chael’s supposed prescription for TRT, Dodd put it this way:
When anybody is on any type of medication or anything like that they are required to provide physical documentation prior to us allowing them to compete here. That goes for any athlete that’s on any medication that could result in a positive toxicology test revealing abuse. Our people review it and if there is any alternative benefit then that question will also get asked. But, from what I understand, even if you’re on testosterone therapy you would not have elevated testosterone.
Dodd confirmed that TRT is allowed by the CSAC but a fighter has to test within a particular, ‘normal’ testosterone range.
And it has to be approved. Let me remind you again: we have to clear it. We need to get necessary documentation from a physician saying why you’re on this medication, ‘these are the treatments that we’ve attempted and it hasn’t worked or it has.’ Then we forward that information to our ring-side physician for review. If our physician agrees with their doctor then as long as they don’t test outside of a particular range they are fine.
Sonnen did not test inside that ‘normal’ range.