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Ask the Fight Doc: What do you make of Chael Sonnen's CSAC testosterone case?
by Dr. Johnny Benjamin on Dec 07, 2010 at 1:40 pm ET
This past week Chael Sonnen went before the California State Athletic Commission to appeal a drug suspension for elevated testosterone levels.
And in our latest "Ask the Fight Doc" piece, readers want to know what MMAjunkie.com medical columnist Dr. Johnny Benjamin thinks of the situation.
More than a few aspects of the hearing caught Dr. Benjamin's eye, and like many MMA fans, he's left with more questions than answers following the Dec. 2 hearing.
* * * *
Can you, the fight doc, make any sense out of the Chael Sonnen appeal hearing with the CSAC? ? Scott T.
Scott, great question. But I'm quite certain that my answer will not win me too many friends with the power brokers and others in high places within the MMA industry.
No comp'd (free) fight tickets for me. I guess. Then again, I never received any (nor have I ever asked for any)!
Some common reasons for significantly low testosterone levels in an otherwise healthy young man are pituitary-gland issues, primary gonadal issues and/or side effects of anabolic steroid use. As an FYI, pituitary dysfunction was ruled out in Sonnen's case.
So, that leaves two likely choices ? with one being far more likely than the other.
Fortunately for Sonnen, he is employed by the UFC, a very strong global brand with the expertise, experience and financial resources to ensure that he properly and thoroughly was evaluated and treated by an endocrinologist (a highly-trained specialist in these types of disorders).
Right?
Wrong.
How could that be? This isn't Joey Bag of Doughnuts fighting at the local armory for Whoop that Ass promotions, after all. The UFC prides itself on being on par with the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB as a "major" sporting organization.
But Sonnen was evaluated and treated by his local family practice doctor (Dr. Mark Czarnecki, D.O.) in Dallas, Ore. After doing background research, I have no reason to believe that Dr. Czarnecki is not a fine, board-certified family-practice doctor of osteopathy. But a fellowship-trained expert in endocrinology he is not (and absolutely no disrespect is intended).
When Dr. Czarnecki was questioned during the hearing, he said that he was unaware of any drugs that could cause the condition for which he had diagnosed and was treating Sonnen. Sadly, by his own admission, this physician was unaware that testicular atrophy and subsequent low testosterone are common and widely known side effects of anabolic-steroid use.
Also, the CSAC pre-fight history and physical examination form clearly asks the fighter for specific documentation of medications and supplements.
Testosterone prescribed by Dr. Czarnecki and injected by Sonnen was not disclosed on the official paperwork by the doctor or fighter. Simply put: They both knew what they were doing, and Sonnen disclosed nothing in the official paperwork (though Sonnen said he verbally notified CSAC head George Dodd). When the California State Athletic Commission was presented with this dubious defense, officials decided to reduce the suspension by half to six months and maintain the $2,500 fine.
I suggest that a six-month imposed hiatus is not a meaningful suspension or penalty since elite fighters (Sonnen in particular) routinely take off four to six months between fights anyway.
In his UFC/WEC eight-fight career, Sonnen has taken at least six months off on two occasions (March 2008-November 2008 and February 2010-August 2010).
This is equivalent to suspending a school kid for the summer or telling a worker on Friday at 5 p.m. that he is suspended until 9 a.m. Monday morning. It's a joke.
He can still earn money outside of the octagon (where the majority of their money resides) and can continue to train. Where is the penalty? Where are the negative consequences to dissuade the next fighter who considers not complying with the rules?
The CSAC has a checkered history at best and recently has unceremoniously removed or forced out some of their commissioners. Unfortunately, this ruling further highlights their ongoing issues and suggests that more pruning and education needs to take place before the CSAC can shake its murky past.
I can honestly say that when it comes to policing the use of performance-enhancing drugs, the UFC is no better or worse than the others. It's not about fairness, safety or integrity of the sport. It's about money. Olympic-style random urine and blood testing is long overdue; anything less is a farce. Yeah, yeah, I know. "F you, Doc! Who are you to say? You probably aren't even a real doctor!"
No worries. Just kindly keep my mother out of it.
Dr. Johnny Benjamin is MMAjunkie.com's medical columnist and consultant and a noted combat-sports specialist. He is also a member of the Association of Boxing Commissions' MMA Medical Subcommittee. Dr. Benjamin writes an "Ask the Doc" column every two weeks for MMAjunkie.com. To submit a question for a future column, email him at askthedoc [AT] mmajunkie.com, or share your questions and thoughts in the comments section below. You can find Dr. Benjamin online at www.drjohnnybenjamin.com, and you can read his other sports-related articles at blog.drjohnnybenjamin.com.
by Dr. Johnny Benjamin on Dec 07, 2010 at 1:40 pm ET
This past week Chael Sonnen went before the California State Athletic Commission to appeal a drug suspension for elevated testosterone levels.
And in our latest "Ask the Fight Doc" piece, readers want to know what MMAjunkie.com medical columnist Dr. Johnny Benjamin thinks of the situation.
More than a few aspects of the hearing caught Dr. Benjamin's eye, and like many MMA fans, he's left with more questions than answers following the Dec. 2 hearing.
* * * *
Can you, the fight doc, make any sense out of the Chael Sonnen appeal hearing with the CSAC? ? Scott T.
Scott, great question. But I'm quite certain that my answer will not win me too many friends with the power brokers and others in high places within the MMA industry.
No comp'd (free) fight tickets for me. I guess. Then again, I never received any (nor have I ever asked for any)!
Some common reasons for significantly low testosterone levels in an otherwise healthy young man are pituitary-gland issues, primary gonadal issues and/or side effects of anabolic steroid use. As an FYI, pituitary dysfunction was ruled out in Sonnen's case.
So, that leaves two likely choices ? with one being far more likely than the other.
Fortunately for Sonnen, he is employed by the UFC, a very strong global brand with the expertise, experience and financial resources to ensure that he properly and thoroughly was evaluated and treated by an endocrinologist (a highly-trained specialist in these types of disorders).
Right?
Wrong.
How could that be? This isn't Joey Bag of Doughnuts fighting at the local armory for Whoop that Ass promotions, after all. The UFC prides itself on being on par with the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB as a "major" sporting organization.
But Sonnen was evaluated and treated by his local family practice doctor (Dr. Mark Czarnecki, D.O.) in Dallas, Ore. After doing background research, I have no reason to believe that Dr. Czarnecki is not a fine, board-certified family-practice doctor of osteopathy. But a fellowship-trained expert in endocrinology he is not (and absolutely no disrespect is intended).
When Dr. Czarnecki was questioned during the hearing, he said that he was unaware of any drugs that could cause the condition for which he had diagnosed and was treating Sonnen. Sadly, by his own admission, this physician was unaware that testicular atrophy and subsequent low testosterone are common and widely known side effects of anabolic-steroid use.
Also, the CSAC pre-fight history and physical examination form clearly asks the fighter for specific documentation of medications and supplements.
Testosterone prescribed by Dr. Czarnecki and injected by Sonnen was not disclosed on the official paperwork by the doctor or fighter. Simply put: They both knew what they were doing, and Sonnen disclosed nothing in the official paperwork (though Sonnen said he verbally notified CSAC head George Dodd). When the California State Athletic Commission was presented with this dubious defense, officials decided to reduce the suspension by half to six months and maintain the $2,500 fine.
I suggest that a six-month imposed hiatus is not a meaningful suspension or penalty since elite fighters (Sonnen in particular) routinely take off four to six months between fights anyway.
In his UFC/WEC eight-fight career, Sonnen has taken at least six months off on two occasions (March 2008-November 2008 and February 2010-August 2010).
This is equivalent to suspending a school kid for the summer or telling a worker on Friday at 5 p.m. that he is suspended until 9 a.m. Monday morning. It's a joke.
He can still earn money outside of the octagon (where the majority of their money resides) and can continue to train. Where is the penalty? Where are the negative consequences to dissuade the next fighter who considers not complying with the rules?
The CSAC has a checkered history at best and recently has unceremoniously removed or forced out some of their commissioners. Unfortunately, this ruling further highlights their ongoing issues and suggests that more pruning and education needs to take place before the CSAC can shake its murky past.
I can honestly say that when it comes to policing the use of performance-enhancing drugs, the UFC is no better or worse than the others. It's not about fairness, safety or integrity of the sport. It's about money. Olympic-style random urine and blood testing is long overdue; anything less is a farce. Yeah, yeah, I know. "F you, Doc! Who are you to say? You probably aren't even a real doctor!"
No worries. Just kindly keep my mother out of it.
Dr. Johnny Benjamin is MMAjunkie.com's medical columnist and consultant and a noted combat-sports specialist. He is also a member of the Association of Boxing Commissions' MMA Medical Subcommittee. Dr. Benjamin writes an "Ask the Doc" column every two weeks for MMAjunkie.com. To submit a question for a future column, email him at askthedoc [AT] mmajunkie.com, or share your questions and thoughts in the comments section below. You can find Dr. Benjamin online at www.drjohnnybenjamin.com, and you can read his other sports-related articles at blog.drjohnnybenjamin.com.
"Mecca of MMA" will hold UFC 131
http://mmajunkie.com/news/21653/ufc-131-official-for-april-30-at-rogers-centre-in-toronto.mma
Get ready for 65 000 fans to watch GSP fight.
Fans in Toronto go ape-shit for MMA....this card will be epic. The biggest crowd to watch an MMA fight....by far. Bank on that.
http://mmajunkie.com/news/21653/ufc-131-official-for-april-30-at-rogers-centre-in-toronto.mma
Get ready for 65 000 fans to watch GSP fight.
Fans in Toronto go ape-shit for MMA....this card will be epic. The biggest crowd to watch an MMA fight....by far. Bank on that.
GSP won't be ready to fight again until at least July, fighting in April might bring him to actually fight more than twice a year and he CAN NOT do that!
I always find this statement comical. There is no more cheating going on then sports where they use "olympic style" testing but they still hardly ever catch the athletes.
If anyone has ever seen the book on steroids then you will know that they will never be able to stop it if the athlete truely wants to use. There's just no way they can test for all of them and that doesn't include the new gear coming out.
Before long steroids will be history anway. See myostatin.
don`t guys usually get an automatic 6 month suspension after getting brutally knocked out?.....
////:grins:
Utimate Fighting Championship CEO Lorenzo Fertitta and President Dana White are set to travel to Rio de Janeiro next week, where they will announce, in conjunction with Mayor Eduardo Paes, the first UFC event ever to hit the city.
Fertitta, White and Paes will make the announcement on Wednesday, Dec. 15, at Paes? official residence, the Palacio da Cidade. Textual, the company responsible for the UFC?s public relations in Brazil, confirmed the press conference on Monday.
According to Textual, UFC champions Anderson Silva, Mauricio ?Shogun? Rua and Jose Aldo will also be in attendance, along with middleweight contender Vitor Belfort and MMA legend Royce Gracie.
The UFC has not held an event in Brazil in over a decade. The promotion?s last trip to the largest country in South America was 1998?s ?Ultimate Brazil? -- also known as UFC 17.5 -- which took place in Sao Paulo. That show was highlighted by a clash of countrymen Belfort and Wanderlei Silva, with Belfort scoring a technical knockout over ?The Axe Murderer? in just 44 seconds.
Fertitta, White and Paes will make the announcement on Wednesday, Dec. 15, at Paes? official residence, the Palacio da Cidade. Textual, the company responsible for the UFC?s public relations in Brazil, confirmed the press conference on Monday.
According to Textual, UFC champions Anderson Silva, Mauricio ?Shogun? Rua and Jose Aldo will also be in attendance, along with middleweight contender Vitor Belfort and MMA legend Royce Gracie.
The UFC has not held an event in Brazil in over a decade. The promotion?s last trip to the largest country in South America was 1998?s ?Ultimate Brazil? -- also known as UFC 17.5 -- which took place in Sao Paulo. That show was highlighted by a clash of countrymen Belfort and Wanderlei Silva, with Belfort scoring a technical knockout over ?The Axe Murderer? in just 44 seconds.
LOL, that had to be uncomfortable for that girl. Wandy is the man. It's amazing to see how nice the guy is to everyone but you know there's something there that makes you feel a little uneasy about being around him.
Rumor has it they are talking about a Wandy/Sonnen next Ultimate fighter show. Could be tough to understand Wandy but we sure know we will understand Sonnen
According to MMA Junkie, 145lb superstar Norifumi "KID" Yamamoto is in the middle of contract negotiations with the UFC.
:0074
:0074
:mj07:
I hate that fucking prick Sonnen too. I hope Wandy knocks him all the way to Brazil!
Since Kid took time out to make the Olympics his return to MMA has not been great but once he gets going at full steam he is one of the best
Just look at some of the potential fights
@135 vs Faber. Dream match and if promoted well could be headliner/strong co main
@135 vs Benavidiz. This would be a fight or the year contender
@135 Torres. Another great fight
#145 vs. Aldo. Would favor Aldo but what a great fight. I would prefer him at 135 though
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2010/12/...d-henderson-and-duffee-not-sonnen-for-hormone
sonnen isn't the only 1 to use trt although duffee and henderson followed proper procedure.
this guy is on trt.
sonnen isn't the only 1 to use trt although duffee and henderson followed proper procedure.
this guy is on trt.
Michihiro Omigawa Signs UFC Contract, Meets Chad Mendes in Return
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2010/12/...signs-ufc-contract-meets-chad-mendes-in-debut
Props to UFC for signing one of the top 145'ers in the world:0008
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2010/12/...signs-ufc-contract-meets-chad-mendes-in-debut
Props to UFC for signing one of the top 145'ers in the world:0008
I think ya mean......."props to the UFC for signing the dude that pays off MMA judges". That dude has lost a ton of fights, but yet wins appear on his record.....hmmm I wonder why
MMA Judging in North America just got a lot worse:scared :142smilie
MMA Judging in North America just got a lot worse:scared :142smilie
Still since dropping to Featherweight he has had the career that most thought was out of his reach.
But if Javier Vasquez could not stop Mendes I dont think Omigawa can
But if Javier Vasquez could not stop Mendes I dont think Omigawa can
