Banished UFC fighter Chael Sonnen is scheduled to appear at the all grappling Metamoris 4 event scheduled for Los Angeles on August 9th in a match against Andre Galvao, however the Nevada State Athletic Commission has moved to stop Sonnen from competing.
The match between Sonnen and Galvao is posted at BETDSI with Galvao a massive (-1497) favorite over Sonnen, who is returning at (+1603). The common thinking is that while a solid MMA fighter, Sonnen is not a submission grappler, and in this case he is facing one of the very best in Galvao. Sonnen has been signed to compete in the event and the promotion has been plugging his appearance for weeks.
Now with the fight 4 days away, the Nevada State Athletic Commission, who in know way holds any jurisdiction over the event, has sent Sonnen a letter stating that they consider his competing this weekend in violation of his suspension due to PED use by the commission.
Here is a case of karma, or reaping what you sow, or whatever. Why is the commission getting involved with this? Sonnen may have bought it on himself by his flaunting of the commissions rules over and over again. Remember, the first time he was suspended for drug use, it was because he hadnt filled out the form correctly according to Sonnen. Sonnen has stood in front of the commission and stated that he could die without the TRT treatment, and he offered the commission his services as a consultant on the matter in order to help THEM.
Here is where we will find out about Chael Sonnen, whose lawyers are already questioning the Nevada commission’s interpretation. If he competes he risks fines and possibly further suspensions. But Sonnen walked of into the sunset and retired to raise a family, at least that is what we were told, so the Nevada commissions actions have no affect on Sonnen.
Unless he harbors any plans to return to MMA after the current two year suspension is up. A big fine over a grappling match is not something he will want to pay if he chooses to re-apply for a Nevada license in 2 years, so if he pulls out he may be looking at returning to the UFC in two years.
The commission may have made a mistake in that the best way to let Sonnen be a thing of the past may have been to just let Galvao submit him, but somehow, Sonnen always seems to being the circus with him.
