NSAC approves testosterone TUE for Chael Sonnen

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(UFC middleweight contender Chael Sonnen)

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has agreed to grant UFC middleweight ChaelSonnen a therapeutic-use exemption for the use of testosterone in preparationfor his title bout at UFC 148.

On the card, Sonnen will challenge UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva forthe second time. The two previously faced off at UFC 117 with Silva walkingaway with a submission victory. After the contest, Sonnen was suspended fortesting positive for elevated levels of testosterone without an exemption.

During a hearing with the California State Athletic Commission, Sonnen hadclaimed that NSAC head Keith Kizer had given him approval to use testosteronefor his UFC 109 fight against Nate Marquardt. Kizer publicly disputed thatclaim.

The NSAC made their decision after their monthly meeting at Grant Sawyer OfficeBuilding in Las Vegas. The commission voted unanimously in favor of grantingthe exemption.