UFC President Dana White has often proclaimed that he's a big Chael Sonnen fan, but after failing two recent drug tests for four separate banned substances, he decided enough was enough.
"The American Gangster," one of MMA's most polarizing figures, was fired from his job as a UFC/FOX Sports analyst on Monday after failing a random drug test for EPO and human growth hormone (HGH), per UFC.com.
White decided to further explain the decision during an appearance on FOX Sports 1 last night, transcription per MMA Fighting.
"You know, its never easy making decisions like this," White said. "You know, Chael is a person I personally care about, I know a lot of people at FOX care about him too. The guy had four banned substances in his system. Four banned substances in his system leading up to a fight here in Las Vegas ... It's a tough one. It's one of those hard decisions you gotta make. It was definitely a hard one. It was something we had to do."
The more recent failed drug test, which was first reported by MMA Fighting, marks the second random drug test Sonnen failed in a two-week time span.
The initial failed screening by the Nevada State Athletic Commission was revealed on June 10, where Sonnen tested positive for the anti-estrogenic drugs anastrozole and clomiphene, per ESPN.
Although Sonnen was removed from his UFC 175 grudge match with Wanderlei Silva as a result of the initial failed test, he defended himself by stating he was using the drugs to balance his hormone levels to taper off testosterone replacement therapy.
The next day, despite insisting that he did not use any performance-enhancing drugs and stating he would appeal the NSAC's temporary suspension, Sonnen announced his retirement from MMA.
The always-outspoken Sonnen is yet to publicly speak out on being fired as a commentator.
Was getting canned from the broadcasting booth the only right call to make regarding Sonnen or should a failed drug test have nothing to do with matters outside of the cage?
John Heinis is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA editor for eDraft.com.
