UFC President Dana White has issued his first public comments since UFC and FOX cut ties with Chael Sonnen earlier this week. In an exclusive interview with UFC.com, White said:

“It’s very hard for me because I care about him a lot as a friend. I like Chael Sonnen, so it’s a tough one, man. He had four banned substances in his body, so what are you going to do?”

As entertaining as Sonnen was on the UFC Tonight show on FOX Sports 1, Dana White said Sonnen is a perfect example that nobody is above the rules and any fighter taking illegal substances at this point is very foolish (he actually used more colorful language than that) –

“The hardest part about it is that Chael Sonnen is a very intelligent guy and look what it’s done. It’s just terrible,” White continued. “If it happened to a guy that was not as bright, you’re like, it’s unfortunate but the guy isn’t very bright.’ You have to be a real stupid f****** idiot to mess around with drugs right now in this sport.”

Other topics discussed include UFC 175, Chris Weidman becoming a star, Urijah Faber, Cub Swanson and more . You can read the full feature at UFC.com.