UFC: Despite disdain for CSAC's ruling, Sonnen will not fight until cleared

LAS VEGAS – UFC president Dana White isn't exactly a fan of the California State Athletic Commission's handling of middleweight contender Chael Sonnen.

But it seems that even White – a fiery, aggressive executive who seems to win just about every fight he's ever taken on – knows when to pick and choose his battles.

"You show me a guy who fought the government and won," White said to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "Show me that guy. I want to meet him. I don't want to be the next guy to try it. I'll do what I'm told."

White's challenge came on the heels of a simple question. With his outspoken criticism of the CSAC's decision to extend Sonnen's original six-month suspension to an "indefinite" term (not to mention the commission's multiple adjustments to the middleweight's first date of potential eligibility), would the UFC consider promoting a Sonnen fight in a state willing to license him – or even overseas, where the UFC acts as its own regulatory body?

Absolutely not.

"We won't let him fight anywhere," White said. "We'll honor that suspension until it's cleared up.

"He's going to have to pay his dues and straighten this stuff out with these guys and then do it, even though I think it's wrong."

Sonnen's issues began with a failed drug screen following his near-upset of Anderson Silva at UFC 117, and they only amplified when he plead guilty to money laundering charges and was then accused of giving less-than-truthful testimony in his original CSAC hearing.

Much of the CSAC's decision, the commission's officials said, was based on the often erratic statements Sonnen made during a handful of under-oath testimonies, as well as a variety of interviews and media appearances over the past year or so.

White admits Sonnen's statements are often a bit odd, but he simply doesn't believe the CSAC's punishment fits the fighter's crime.

"I think that Chael has paid his dues," White said. "Can you keep a guy from making a living for having a big mouth? He's a big mouth. He says dumb [expletive]. He says stuff that doesn't make sense sometimes, you know? He lives in his own little planet.

"But I can tell you this: If you go throughout the history of boxing and look at some of the guys that have been licensed in boxing and what they've done?"

Sonnen will get his first crack at a new CSAC-issued license to fight on June 29, and at 34 years old, it appears the wrestling standout's career window is rapidly closing. White admits his he feels bad for the 14-year veteran but said there's simply nothing he can do.

"We will honor it," White said. "They regulate me. They're my boss, too."