Sonnen To Appeal Positive Drug Test

Chael Sonnen isn’t backing down.

The UFC middleweight plans to appeal his positive test for performance-enhancing drugs following his UFC 117 loss to Anderson Silva in Oakland.

MMAFighting.com released a statement from Sonnen’s management this morning.

“It is our policy not to comment on pending actions by the Athletic Commission. Chael is consulting with his legal advisors and physicians and will have a statement in the near future,” Sonnen’s manager Mike Roberts told MMA Fighting. “Chael will file an appeal with the CSAC and looks forward to working with the Commission to resolve this matter.”

Sonnen received notice of his positive test from the CSAC last Friday. The middleweight championship contender previously informed CSAC officials during a pre-fight screening process that he might test positive, and his post-fight drug test showed “abnormally high levels” of testosterone.

If Sonnen’s appeal fails, he will be subject to an automatic one-year suspension and $2,500 fine, putting his planned 2011 rematch with Silva on hold.

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