Sonnen: I believe in a clean sport and I have used PEDs
Chael Sonnen: “I make no excuses for my actions, nor do I offer any apologies for the choices I’ve made — some of which were self-destructive…”
To start the new year, former UFC middleweight Chael Sonnen penned an article for medium.com explaining why he believes in cleaning the sport and explains his history of using performance enhancing drugs:
Before we begin, let’s get one thing straight: At various times during the course of my career as a professional fighter, I used performance enhancing drugs to gain a competitive advantage in the ring. Period. I make no excuses for my actions, nor do I offer any apologies for the choices I’ve made — some of which were self-destructive, all of which were made of my own free will.
But that’s old news.
The reality is, though the details of my admitted usage of testosterone, human growth hormone (HGH), anastrozole and erythropoietin (EPO) are largely insignificant when viewed in context, no amount of clarification or justification will ever completely erase the damage I’ve done to my reputation. And maybe that was the price of mixed martial arts admission. Maybe, in trying to slake my unquenchable thirst — for titles, for acceptance, for validation, for fame, for money — I opened Pandora’s box, and all that’s left for me to do now is be honest about my intentions, my motivations and my perspective.