Sonnen to appeal positive test with CSAC

MMAFighting.com reports:

In an MMA Fighting exclusive, Sonnen's manager, Mike Roberts, wrote that Sonnen will appeal the California State Athletic Commission's claim that he tested positive for "abnormally high" levels of testosterone and that Sonnen will break his silence on the matter in the coming days.

"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. Chael will file an appeal with the CSAC and looks forward to working with the Commission to resolve this matter."

The 33-year-old reportedly received formal notice of his test failure last Friday and has 30 days in which to file his appeal. Once he does file his appeal, it will be heard at the next CSAC commission meeting on Dec. 2 in Sacramento, Calif.

I think it was pretty much a foregone conclusion that Sonnen would appeal. We'll see how the California State Athletic Commission handles this one compared to how it handled the failures of Sean Sherk and Hermes Franca back in 2007. If Sonnen's appeal results in having his suspension reduced, that is significantly better for everyone involved. If Sonnen gets his suspension reduced to six months, he would be eligible to fight again in February.

We still await the exact drug and the levels in addition to a statement from Sonnen, which should be most interesting.