David Bixenspan put together a fantastically comprehensive timeline of the meteoric rise (beginning with his rise to prominence pre-UFC 117) and Shakespearean fall of UFC middleweight Chael Sonnen. We've got a miniature version of that wrap-up here, but I wanted to point out new details about Sonnen's future that are worthy of a second look. Namely, what's in store for his May 18 hearing with the California State Athletic Commission and what various outcomes could mean for Sonnen's career. To wit:
More Details About Chael Sonnen’s May 18th CSAC Hearing
As would be expected since the commissions respect each others' suspensions, Sonnen is effectively suspended in Nevada as well. [NSAC Executive Director Keith] Kizer told [Steven] Marrocco that the Nevada hearing is now on hold pending the results of the California hearing, which will take place a week from today in Los Angeles. Deputy Attorney General Karen Chappelle will represent the state of California and Dodd will be there to testify if called to do so, since "I'm kind of at the center of certain subject matters that have been brought up, so I'll be there."
To clarify and add to what was already reported, I called Dodd a few minutes ago to ask the questions I had after reading what's come out since last night.
- The most interesting response was with regards to when he was first made aware of Kizer's comments. Dodd actually found out during the original hearing, but since he was not sure about what the exact circumstances were, he couldn't testify about it.
- The letter to Sonnen notifying him of the suspension was sent during the third week of April. The timetable was based on working with Kizer to straighten out what happened and what Sonnen's claims have been. It seemed like the "I meant to say 'my manager,' not 'I'" meeting may have dug him into a much deeper hole.
- For now, it's an athletic commission matter. The rest is up to Karen Chappelle. If she feels that criminal charges are warranted after the commission hearing, then she could move forward with them, but there's no way to be sure for now. It's only a criminal case if she decides to make it one.
- Finally, there may or may not be a live video stream of the hearing like there was last time because it's in a different location that's not already set up for that. It's being looked into and there should be a more concrete answer at the beginning of next week.
I’m not certain what the probabilities are the State of California will pursue criminal charges in the event they believe Sonnen perjured himself. I’m looking into it now, although one wonders if there’s a difference in penalty for lying in a hearing for an athletic commission versus a criminal or even civil trial.
But I ask that you simply consider the moment at which we have arrived with Sonnen. From the second minute of the fifth round of his main event fight at UFC 117, take a second to inventory his collapse.
I’m at a loss trying to find an analogous situation in sports with another controversial figure. Certainly sports, and combat sports more specifically, are full of sad sack tales of epic misfortunate or personal negligence. But the swiftness of the timeline here is what stands out. It hasn’t even been a year since Sonnen nearly snatched the title away from MMA’s best fighter. Since then he has tested positive for steroids, seemingly perjured himself, lost out on multiple opportunities to fight, missed a chance to host MMA’s most important television show, pleaded guilty to federal money laundering charges, been suspended by the UFC, forfeited his real estate license, spent thousands of dollars in lawyer fees, lost an additional $10,000 in a fine as part of a plea bargain to avoid jail time, lost his ability to even promote or corner in MMA and is now potentially facing further criminal charges.
I don’t know what the future holds, but I suspect Sonnen is a desperate man today. It’s not at all inconceivable the UFC middleweight will never fight again, at least not in anything resembling a world-class environment. And given that he’s got no real estate career to fall back on, that sets up a tricky predicament.
I’m unable to extend sympathy. This is a web of misfortune spun solely by Sonnen. It’s a tale of fantastic miscalculation, a farrago of transparent lies and bravado born of showmanship inappropriately applied to events of consequence. We’re either on the verge of witnessing one of the great comebacks outside of the competition space in combat sports history or the final, undeniable moment of crash and burn. If I’m a betting man, I’m thinking the latter is more likely.
But this is MMA. Anything can happen.
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