Chael Sonnen is no longer "panicked" about his inability to use testosterone replacement therapy.
The UFC middleweight and light-heavyweight competitor spoke with Fox Sports regarding the Nevada State Athletic Commission's recent ban on TRT. As someone who had been previously granted a Therapeutic Use Exemption for TRT, Sonnen admitted that he had been panicking recently, but has begun finding potential alternatives with the rest of his team that have lead to take a more positive outlook on the matter.
"I do feel a little bit different but I feel very encouraged with the new path we're taking," Sonnen told Fox Sports. "I'm feeling more positive than panicked. At first, I felt panic. My panic is going away, and I'm seeing some optimism, but I'm not through it yet."
Sonnen also divulged into his reasons for calling out former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin. He gave a classic "bad guy" statement, which included a detailed storyline where he would have been champion years ago had Franklin given him a shot at the title. Now out for revenge, Sonnen hopes to get the marquee match-up with the former math teacher, who has just one fight left on his UFC contract.
"Here the bottom line: Rich Franklin has one fight left. I would've been world champion. Way back when Rich held that belt, I would've whipped his ass back then. I would've been the world champion but I couldn't get my opportunity, and I'm still mad about it. I would've been the PRIDE champion but I couldn't get into PRIDE. I could've beaten all of those guys for years. I could've held the belt in either organization for years, and I couldn't even get my shot.
"So, if Rich only has one fight left, if there's anybody that disputes what I just said, including him; if there's anybody that questions that Chael Sonnen was the greatest 185-pounder to ever live, then please, Mr. Franklin, give me that one last fight that you have under your contract."