We will have live updates right here at Bloody Elbow today as the Nevada State Athletic Commission meets. While there are a number of items on the official agenda, the most interesting to MMA fans will be the application for a license for Vitor Belfort and the hearing of disciplinary complaint for Chael Sonnen.
Belfort failed a drug test ahead of his planned bout with Chris Weidman that ultimately led to the abolishing of Testosterone Replacement Therapy exemptions in the state and set into motion a wild series of fight changes. Nevada can deny his license application and state that he is not able to file another application for a one year period. Other commissions do not have to go along with the NSAC decision, but it is standard practice for them to do so. That means that Belfort could be out of commission for a considerable amount of time longer.
Or, the UFC could just book him in Brazil.
Sonnen failed two pre-fight drug tests, including popping in one test for HGH and EPO. He has suggested that me might not attend the hearing, despite it being "mandatory" and has already announced his retirement. But, in the event that he ever wishes to return to action, the result of the hearing could have an impact on the when and how.
The meeting starts at 1 p.m. and will stream live on UFC Fight Pass. Belfort is number six on the action items list, Sonnen is last at number thirty-five. It's also possible that they could push Belfort to the end of the meeting.
We'll have live updates during the meeting, but will probably not bother with a lot of items you all won't care about.
- 1:03 p.m. - Meeting is getting underway. Starting with "old business"
- Alexis Vila, at age 43, gets a one-fight license to fight at WSOF 12. The commission grilled him about prison time related to trying to kill himself in 2004 by crashing his car into the Fort Lauderdale Airport.
- Belfort is up now. He is reading a statement and stating that he was considering applying for a TUE for TRT but hadn't when he was asked to take a test.
- Belfort says his higher than allowed testosterone levels were directly related to having received a TRT injection the day before.
- Belfort is stating that he would like to fight in Nevada on December 6.
- Belfort is now crying as he reads his statement
- The commission is questioning Belfort about his history of TRT use and where he has received TUEs.
- Odd moment as Vitor sggested that he had a TUE in Toronto, then his lawyer clarified that they don't grant them in Ontario so no, he did not.
- Belfort agrees to testing at his expense whenever the NSAC sees fit.
- Belfort says that it was very hard when he first went off TRT.
- Belfort's attorney said UFC gave a verbal commitment Tuesday that Vitor will be in a championship fight at Mandalay Bay on Dec. 6.
- After a lot of circling around Belfort guaranteeing that he will agree to any testing and will fight in Las Vegas only, the commission agrees to grant Belfort a license.
- Chael Sonnen up now just before 2:40 p.m. ET
- Sonnen was sworn in.
- Sonnen's lawyer says that he isn't "making excuses" for his violations, but that they were for prescribed medications.
- Sonnen admits that he knew the drugs were banned substances. It's worth noting that on Fox Sports 1 after his first failed test he claimed it was impossible to know what was banned.
- Sonnen is being questioned why he was being prescribed drugs in the "same profile" by three different doctors.
- "I'm so cautious to have a conversation today because I don't want to say anything that comes off as an excuse. I am guilty. I am ashamed." - Sonnen on his current hearing.
- Anti-estrogen drugs that Sonnen tested positive for are discussed by the commission and their role as a masking agent.
- A lot of talking about each drug and it's role as a PED or PED masking agent.
- This part of the meeting has been unbelievable. The commission has called Sonnen brave for appearing (despite it being mandatory) and has asked for advice FROM Sonnen on drug testing programs. For proof, here's someone else talking about it:
Commissioner Lundvall asks if Sonnen will help commission find weaknesses in system and assist with the process of educating — Kevin Iole (@KevinI) July 23, 2014 - Wow, now the assistant attorney general says "you gotta be kidding me that you inject yourself with needles and you don't know it's prohibited."
- Commissioners spend a bunch more time referring to Sonnen as "a friend" and suggesting a role as an educator while Anthony Marnell (the newest commissioner) says he wants a lifetime ban. It ends up as a 2 year ban with no fine.