UFC's Chael Sonnen finally owns up to cheating
After years of excuses, lies, denials and justifications, retired UFC fighter Chael Sonnen finally came as close to taking responsibility for his banned drug use as he ever has while being interviewed on Pro-wrestler Chris Jericho's podcast, Talk is Jericho. Sonnen failed two random drug tests administered by the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) this year, and then retired from MMA competition and was fired from his broadcasting jobs before being suspended for two years by the NAC.
Sonnen used many excuses for why he had the many banned performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in his system this past year while preparing to fight Wanderlei Silva in July, fertility issues, to not fully understanding regulation. On Jericho's podcast, however, Sonnen admitted to willfully cheating and simply being surprised by the drug tests, because he expected to only be tested on the night of his fight, after he would have been able to cycle off of the drugs.
"I was hit on a surprise test that was 44 days before a fight," he explained.
"Generally in our business we're tested fight night, so whatever it is you're doing or you're not doing, you gotta show up clean on fight day. When I talk about being dirty, I'm not talking about steroids or illegal drugs...but, these are still against the rules, I knew it...I'm a grown man. I knew what I was doing I thought I could have my cake and eat it too..."
Sonnen went on to advise other people to not follow his lead and instead come clean as soon as they could for misdeeds. The three-time UFC title challenger also expressed optimism that his fortunes might change once more, after having finally come clean.
"Things change pretty quickly. People are forgiving when you're honest," he said.
"If I could ever advise someone who is in my shoes, just come clean. Come as clean as you can, as quickly as you can. Then let the people decide."
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