Time to face the music.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will stream today's (July 23, 2014) live hearing featuring Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) and embattled middleweights Chael Sonnen and Vitor Belfort, online via the promotion's Fight Pass digital network.
Not a subscriber? Not a problem.
MMAmania.com will be tuning in and bringing you LIVE updates as the action unfolds right here, beginning at 1 p.m. ET. Sonnen is No. 35 (out of 35) on the itemized agenda (full breakdown here), while Belfort is No. 6. Naturally, we'll be sure to deliver all the details as they break.
And there will be plenty.
Belfort is trying to get his mixed martial arts (MMA) license reinstated after flunking an out-of-competition drug test for testosterone (more on that here). "The Phenom" was undergoing the now-outlawed testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and assuming he can pass a battery of tests, may get his long-desired title shot later this year, even if it means traveling to Brazil.
But expect him to be jumping through a number of hoops.
Sonnen, meanwhile, won't be so lucky. While "The American Gangster" was also on TRT, his failed drug test returned a witches brew of banned substances (see them here). The former Ultimate Fighter (TUF) coach decided to call it quits after getting pulled from UFC 175, but must still face administrative penalties from "Sin City's" governing body.
His ex-opponent, Wanderlei Silva, will be disciplined by NSAC a later date.
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NSAC hearing live blog and updates:
Nostradumbass here with you this fine Wednesday. Let's get it.
1 p.m. ET: Meeting underway, some lady on the panel is twirling her hair.
1:05 pm: Agenda is approved and we're on our way.
1:06 pm: Mayweather vs. Maidana rematch approved for Sept. 13.
1:13 pm: Boxers David Estrada and Don Mouton approved for licenses.
1:20 pm: Alexis Vila approved for MMA license (WSOF) after commission laughs at him for crashing his car into an airport. It was a suicide attempt but hey, whatever they think is funny, I suppose.
1:38 pm: Boxer Vivian Harris approved for license; however, Steve Lipscomb application "tabled" until he gets a fight scheduled with a reputable promoter.
Hey look who it is ... and all smiles.
1:40 pm: Belfort reads prepared statement about how cooperative he is and his drug tests.
1:42 pm: Belfort downplays 2006 steroid bust, feigns ignorance.
1:43 pm: Belfort says he won't fight any earlier than December, welcomes drug tests.
1:45 pm: Weepy Belfort says he won't fight anywhere else (including Brazil) until he can first fight in Las Vegas.
1:50 pm: NSAC wants Vitor to pay for any drug tests that come from his licensing.
1:55 pm: NSAC threatens to test Belfort until the day he retires, both urine and blood.
2:00 pm: NSAC wants ability to test Belfort no matter where he is scheduled to compete, Brazil, Florida, etc.
2:02 pm: Belfort granted conditional license to fight Chris Weidman at UFC 181 in Las Vegas (details).
2:10 pm: UFC 178 approved for MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
2:30 pm: Mayweather Promotions awarded promoters license.
2:40 pm: Chael Sonnen is here and ready to go...
2:42 pm: Team Sonnen admits to violations and will prepare no defense.
2:45 pm: Sonnen's attorney basically throwing himself on the mercy of the court.
2:50 pm: While being questioned by commission as to why he needs three different doctors for his banned prescriptions, Sonnen also reveals he's taking Ambien (Zolpidem), which treats insomnia and sometimes brain disorders.
2:52 pm: Sonnen says he's guilty and ashamed, gets praised by NSAC for his intelligence.
2:55 pm: Sonnen was in line to receive $100,000 to show for UFC 175 fight against Wanderlei Silva.
3:00 pm: Going through a lesson in performance-enhancing drugs.
3:15 pm: Still raking Sonnen over the coals, which I don't understand, since he admitted guilt and will not dispute the findings.
3:17 pm: NSAC calls Sonnen's drug cocktail a big pile of deception.
3:20 pm: Chael insists he was on no other drugs and calls himself an "open book" and a "square" who never even tasted alcohol.
3:22 pm: Sonnen accepts NSAC offer to work with commission on combating fighters who use PEDs.
3:30 pm: Commission is deliberating.
3:40pm: NSAC wants to work Sonnen "like a farm animal" to assist with catching drug testers.
3:50 pm: Sonnen found guilty, force to pay doctor fees, suspension for two years, and work with commission to educate fighters (details).
That's a wrap from Nevada!