“Chael Sonnen is a guy, people know he’s done steroids throughout his entire career,” Jones stated. “Probably the reason why his testosterone is low now.”
Testosterone replacement therapy has been a hot-button issue in mixed martial arts over the past couple of years. Much of the discussion about it’s use in MMA was launched into the public conscience due to Sonnen’s use of the therapy to treat a condition called hypogonadism and his battles with the California and Nevada athletic commissions to allow it, but still gain licensure to fight.
There are numerous causes for hypogonadism, which range from genetics to various diseases and disorders to radiation to steroid use. The latter of which is what Jones is saying probably caused Sonnen’s hypogonadism.
Sonnen has always insisted that his is a medical condition and has even lauded UFC president Dana White’s recent crack down on fighters that are getting therapeutic use exemptions (TEUs), but abusing them during training because they feel they have a “free pass.”
Jones, however, has consistently spoken out against fighters being allowed TEUs for testosterone replacement therapy, whether it is induced by performance enhancing drug abuse or Father Time.
“Basically, I believe if you’re healthy enough to play a sport, you shouldn’t take any performance enhancement drugs or testosterone. Fighters make a lot of money in their 20′s, make a lot of money in their 30′s, and when they get in their 40′s, unfortunately, you’re in your 40′s,” Jones said during a media conference call last August.
“You should fight the way you fight when you’re in your 40′s, switch your style up to stay in the game. I don’t think you should be able to take a drug to pretty much give you the strength of a 30-year-old again.”
and then! Backtracking on that comment, Jones on Wednesday apologized on Twitter, saying, “I had no right to accuse Chael of being a career long steroid user, I apologize.”
