One of the UFC's most exciting rematches will be put on hold as the California State Athletic Commission has suspended middleweight title contender Chael Sonnen after he tested positive for steroids, according to The Associated Press.
The positive test was discovered after Sonnen's loss to Anderson Silva during UFC 117 last month. Sonnen's test results revealed an abnormally high testosterone-to-estrogen level, which serves as a lead indicator of steroid use. The middleweight will see his fighting license revoked for one year as punishment.
The suspension cancels the highly anticipated rematch between Sonnen and Silva, which the UFC was planning for early next year.
The Silva-Sonnen bout was the highlight of UFC 117, as the trash talk between the two fighters had escalated to a breaking point before the matchup. The excitement continued into the ring as Sonnen controlled the first four rounds before losing the middleweight title in a fifth-round choke by Silva.
In light of Sonnen's suspension, UFC President Dana White posted the schedule and matchup changes to his Twitter account.
Silva will now match up against Vitor Belfort on Nov. 13 in Germany during UFC 122. Yushin Okami — who was scheduled to fight Belfort at 122 — will now square up against Silva at UFC 125 in Las Vegas on New Years Day. Okami will fight Nate Marquardt instead of Belfort in Germany, according to White.
