California State Athletic Commission executive George Dodd reportedly told Sherdog.com that Chael Sonnen tested positive in post-UFC 117 drug screening.
Sonnen, who dominated Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva before falling victim to an eleventh hour submission in the fifth round in that August 7th battle, made enough of a mark that a rematch was being scheduled for early next year. Assuming the alleged results hold and a suspension is issued, Sonnen would likely be bypassed for the shot by another middleweight contender.
While no mention has been made about the drug for which Sonnen failed, the assumption is that it was a performance-enhancer. Tests for drugs-of-abuse had already come back negative.
A positive test for performance-enhancing drugs would be particularly noteworthy since Sonnen made waves prior to the fight for disparaging remarks about Lance Armstrong cheating in his sport.
Neither Sonnen nor the UFC has yet commented publicly.
