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. "Who are you to say? You probably aren't even a real doctor!"
No worries. Just kindly keep my mother out of it.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news;_ylt=Ajyj_PGyiRrfAQJl7ereulU9Eo14?slug=mmajunkie-Ask_Fight_Doc_Chael_Sonnen_CSAC_testosterone
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