Stephan Bonnar is set to return to UFC

After a seven-month suspension, Stephan Bonnar will be back fighting in the UFC this July. Last year, Bonnar tested positive for steroids after his loss to Forrest Griffin in August.

Bonnar admits that he took the steroids, due to a nagging elbow injury.

''I was desperate,'' Bonnar told the Chicago Sun-Times this week.

''My right elbow had been bad for a while, and I hurt it bad getting ready for Rashad Evans, who Bonnar fought on June 28].

''Right after that fight, I thought I'd have some time off to do some therapy, rehab and heal. And five days later, I get a call to fight Forrest in a month and a half. I was worried. I was looking for something to speed up the healing. I just was worried I was not going to be able to fight, and they needed me. This wasn't an undercard fight; it was the main event. Pulling out was not an option,'' Bonnar says, explaining why he decided to take the steroids. However, after losing the decision to Griffin, he was tested, and subsequently suspended.

Bonnar said an MRI of his elbow injury showed some cartilage damage. He’s had two surgeries during his seven-month suspension.

''There were partial tears in the tendon. And during surgery, they removed three marble-sized pieces of bone. But I feel good now and can't wait to fight again.''

Bonnar lost sponsors due to his positive drug test and suspension, and says he was concerned that the UFC would kick him out, but UFC president Dana White says that’s not going to happen.

''I love Stephan Bonnar,'' said White. ''He's a good man and a good fighter who made a mistake.''

Bonnar returns to action on July 7, in an even against Mike Nickels at the ARCO Arena in Sacramento, California.

Source: www.buddytv.com