Easy come, easy go.

UFC middleweight title contender Chael Sonnen has been suspended for one year by the California State Athletic Commission for a failed drug test prior to his UFC 117 fight with Anderson Silva on August 7th.

According to the CSAC, Sonnen tested positive for anabolic steroid and even mentioned to CSAC Executive Officer George Dodd that he was taking a banned substance prior to the test just days before the fight.

Sonnen would go on to lose the title fight with UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva despite dominating the first four rounds. In hindsight, it sure shows how the steroids came in handy for Sonnen, keeping him fresh and energetic for four full rounds while he proceeded to ground and pound the champion.

The news comes as a bit of a surprise to the MMA community. It was only a couple of weeks ago that a rematch was announced for February of 2011 and it really appeared that Sonnen (25-11-2) had it made in the shade.

How quickly things change. And funny how it happens when you make dumb choices.

Now, Sonnen faces a year suspension -- pending an appeal of course -- and probably a long road back to title contention if he isn't cut first.

The news has changed pending fights as well. With Sonnen unable to fight the rematch with Anderson Silva in February, the UFC has removed middleweight Vitor Belfort from his October UFC 122 fight with Yushin Okami (replaced with Nate Marquardt) and scheduled Belfort to fight Silva in January at UFC 125.