Chael Sonnen to appear in front of NSAC on April 27 for licensing hearing

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Now that he's been sentenced on money laundering charges in his home state of Oregon that has effectively ended his real estate career, UFC middleweight Chael Sonnen is attempting to get back to the career he does have left in fighting.

According to a report from MMAJunkie.com, Sonnen will appear in front of the Nevada State Athletic Commission during their April 27 meeting, at which time the commission will question Sonnen on a number of topics and vote to determine whether or not they will allow Sonnen a license to fight in the state of Nevada and a license to corner fighters as well.

Sonnen will make the appearance due to statements made during a hearing with the California State Athletic Commission in December. At that meeting, Sonnen made claims that he had previously gotten "approval" from the NSAC, specifically NSAC executive director Keith Kizer, for the use of testosterone for hypogonadism prior to his fight with Nate Marquardt. Kizer subsequently denied any such conversations took place or that any such approval had been given.

Kizer then met with Sonnen and officials from the UFC last month in an attempt to clear the air, a meeting that Kizer described as one that did not well. So now, commission members will question Sonnen about his alleged need for testosterone replacement therapy for his condition, the statements he made to the CSAC about their commission, and will determine the next course of action for the future. A majority vote on the commission will allow Sonnen his license and second's license, which will open the door for his return to MMA and a possible coaching slot on The Ultimate Fighter against Michael Bisping that the UFC has reportedly targeted.

Link to Original Source Article

Penick's Analysis: This is sure to be another interesting appearance for Sonnen in front of a state commission. After the debacle with the CSAC, there isn't a lot of faith in an athletic commission to call Sonnen on his B.S. if he presents similar "facts" as those he brought in December, and I wouldn't at all be surprised if this turns into a simple formality proceeding where Sonnen will say whatever he's going to say and get approved regardless of the situation. I'm expecting that to be the case on the 27th, and we'll likely see Sonnen back in the cage, or on television, as soon as the UFC can put him there.

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