Chael Sonnen (pictured) is awaiting an OK from the commission in Boston to fight on Aug. 17. Photo by Nick Laham/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images.
Chael Sonnen is still unlicensed to fight “Shogun” Rua at Aug. 17’s UFC Fight Night in Boston, and representatives from the local commission are having closed-door meetings to determine if the fighter is properly using testosterone-replacement therapy while competing in the UFC.
According to a report on Wednesday by MMAjunkie.com, the Department of Public Safety (DPS), the government body that oversees MMA in the state of Massachusetts, elected to hold the meeting following a complaint from New York-based union Unite Here.
“The executive session is to determine what acceptable levels of testosterone are for people who have a medical reason for testosterone supplements,” DPS representative Terrel Harris told the website.
Harris declined comment on what the complaint entailed, and UFC officials also wouldn’t comment on the matter.
“The commissioners will sit in and they’ll hammer out the issue,” Harris said. “When they’ve made a final decision, they’ll let everybody know what that decision is.
“Right now, he’s not even licensed.”
Harris added that the decision to license Sonnen will be made relatively soon, given the short amount of time before the scheduled fight card, according to the report.
UFC Fight Night 26
Shogun vs. Sonnen
August 17, 2013
TD Garden
Boston, Massachusetts
Main Card:
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (21-7) vs. Chael Sonnen (27-13-1)
Alistair Overeem (36-12-1) vs. Travis Browne (14-1-1)
Urijah Faber (28-6) vs. Yuri Alcantara (28-4)
Matt Brown (17-11) vs. Mike Pyle (25-8-1)
Uriah Hall (7-3) vs. John Howard (20-8)
Joe Lauzon (22-8) vs. Michael Johnson (12-8)
Prelims:
Brad Pickett (23-7) vs. Michael McDonald (15-2)
Conor McGregor (13-2) vs. Max Holloway (7-2)
Mike Brown (26-8) vs. Steven Siler (22-10)
Diego Brandao (17-8) vs. Daniel Pineda (18-9)
Prelims on Facebook:
Manny Gamburyan (12-7) vs. Cole Miller (19-7)
Cody Donovan (8-2) vs. Ovince St. Preux (13-5)
Ramsey Nijem (8-3) vs. James Vick (4-0)
