CSAC Releases Statement on Sonnen Suspension

Sonnen, 33, tested positive for steroids following his Aug. 7 defeat to titleholder Anderson Silva at UFC 117 in Oakland, Calif.

“A sample from Sonnen's August 6 drug test came back with a high T/E (testosterone-to-estrogen) level, which is indicative of anaboloic steroid use,” read the statement. “CSAC learned of the results September 2 and ordered a second test, which also came back positive for steroid use. CSAC received test results from the second sample on September 14 and suspended Sonnen two days later.”

The statement did not indicate which specific steroid Sonnen had been flagged for, but noted that Sonnen’s urinalysis sample had been collected on Aug. 6 and sent to the World Anti-doping Agency test facility at the University of California, Los Angeles for processing.

Per CSAC protocol, Sonnen has been suspended for one year from the Sept. 2 date and will be fined $2,500. The Team Quest fighter will have 30 days from receipt of notification to file a written request for a commission hearing in which to comment on the allegations and possibly reduce his sentence.

Sonnen’s manager, Mike Roberts, told Sherdog.com on Tuesday that the fighter plans to contest the CSAC’s findings, but wouldn’t give any further comment.

The next CSAC hearing has been tentatively set for Dec. 2 in Sacramento, Calif.