It's Official

SASK_MMA · 11-03-2006, 05:04 PM

BONNAR SUSPENDED FOR NINE MONTHS AFTER STEROIDS ADMISSION

By: Stash Capar

UFC light heavyweight competitor and The Ultimate Fighter season one finalist Stephan Bonnar was given an opportunity to defend allegations of steroid use before the Nevada State Athletic Commission during disciplinary hearings held earlier today.

The fighter, who tested positive for boldenone metabolite, a non approved substance by NSAC regulations, admitted to using the steroid, calling it “the worst decision of his life."

“I had serious nagging injuries [before his fight with Griffin] that wouldn’t go away,” said Bonnar. “This was the biggest fight of my career and I wasn’t going to pull out…three weeks before the fight I became desperate, so I purchased the steroid and began taking it."

After explaining his rationale for taking the banned substance, Bonnar apologized for his actions.

“I just want to express my apologies,” said Bonnar. “I took a substance which I knew was not approved by the commission and I regret it. I ask for the forgiveness of the commission, the forgiveness of the UFC and the forgiveness of the fans."

Although the NSAC found Bonnar’s apologies “refreshing," a motion was passed to suspend Bonnar for nine months, with an additional fine of $5,000.

Bonnar’s representatives tried to minimize the fine, pointing out that their client had already suffered greatly.

“If you do a Google search on Stephan right now, eight out of ten hits will refer you to a failed drug test,” said one of Bonnar’s representatives. “Stephan has already suffered greatly…he is not someone who is making millions of dollars."

Besides the fine and suspension, Bonnar’s television contract with Spike TV was recently terminated. The popular mixed martial artist was to act as a commentator and reporter for future MMA related shows.

“I lost something that I truly enjoyed, something that I could have done after I was done with fighting,” explained Bonnar.

The NSAC concluded the hearing by saying that the use of steroids is becoming an increasingly evident problem in mixed martial arts - a problem that they hope will soon get under control.

POSTED -- 11/03/06

www.thefightnetwork.com

alahyousious · 11-03-2006, 05:08 PM

I think it is a fair punishment. Hopefully he will take his time off and use it to his advantage.

kowarrior · 11-03-2006, 05:46 PM

He should go get a real job. MMA is not doing anything for him anyway. It's just destroying his life. He's not making much money and his body is breaking prematurely. The suspension will do him good.

scottsec · 11-03-2006, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kowarrior

He should go get a real job. MMA is not doing anything for him anyway. It's just destroying his life. He's not making much money and his body is breaking prematurely. The suspension will do him good.

Bonnar fucking sux!

Howie · 11-03-2006, 06:53 PM

yea 9 months is a good suspension....he did the crime he gotta do the time

space · 11-03-2006, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottsec

Bonnar fucking sux!

Interesting opinion.

I think he is a decent fighter and it's a shame he decided to take the roids.

dagreat1 · 11-03-2006, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kowarrior

He should go get a real job. MMA is not doing anything for him anyway. It's just destroying his life. He's not making much money and his body is breaking prematurely. The suspension will do him good.

last I checked 6 figures was at least $100,000, I don't know where you learned math?

He was doing fine, he was just being a passive fighter instead of just going for it and laying his body on the line. Had he done that in the second Griffin fight he would've likely won that fight as Griffin is a sloppier fighter than Bonnar.

The roids were a poor career decision, he will now be dropped by the UFC (I seriously doubt they will give him anohter fight and I'm sure the contract is void if he uses performance enhancers so he will not receive another paycheck from the UFC) and will have to go to a lesser org. Maybe the IFL or WFA will pick him up.

He will be of use to someone, like I said he just needs to be willing to sacrifice his body in the cage or ring. What's the fuggin difference, you;re going to get damaged either way, what's a little more pain or possibly less pain and inflicting a great deal more on your opponent?

Luis Cruz · 11-03-2006, 07:27 PM

I don't feel any sympathy for him. He's been around and seen the other guys fail these tests and then hear people like Tim aplogize and say how much they regret it, he should've learned from them. He knew exactly what he was doing as he said and it's a piss poor decision thinking he could beat the system, i see that as lack of heart.