Chael Sonnen and Bellator MMA conference call recap: ‘I hope they book two guys for my debut because I know one will pull out’

Bellator MMA will be getting a ton of memorable quotes now that “The American Gangster,” Chael Sonnen has signed a multi-fight deal.

The former UFC title contender and Bellator MMA President Scott Coker were on a conference call with the media on Friday, a day after the news of Sonnen’s signing was released by the Associated Press.

Sonnen said of his debut, “I’m on a legends ass kicking tour. I hope they book two guys for my debut because I know one will pull out.”

Sonnen: I'm on a legends ass kicking tour. I hope they book two guys for my debut because I know one will pull out.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 16, 2016

With deals as big as this, one would think it was a very long legal process considering that Sonnen was fresh off a two-year suspension and had last fought for the UFC. It apparently only took three simple phone calls with Coker to get the deal finalized.

Made deal over 3 phone calls – Chael

— Zombie Prophet (@ZPGIFs) September 16, 2016

Sonnen stated that he is looking to make his Bellator debut at light heavyweight, but it all depends on who the potential list of opponents includes.

“I’ve personally heard Fedor is coming to Bellator. Where there’s smoke there’s fire.”

Chael: I've personally heard Fedor is coming to Bellator. Where there's smoke there's fire.

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) September 16, 2016

Sonnen also said that there is something between Tito Ortiz and himself that needs to be figured out in the cage.

Sonnen on Ortiz: Every time we're in the same room, it's this big Alpha Male contest. He knows what's going on and I know what's going on.

— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) September 16, 2016

If it was not obvious, Sonnen was not under any contract with the UFC when he signed with Bellator.

Sonnen: I was not under contract with UFC when I signed with Bellator.

— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) September 16, 2016

Sonnen said that the tipping point for him wanting to join Bellator was when Ken Shamrock walked out with Road Warrior Animal.

Sonnen says when Road Warrior Animal walked out Ken Shamrock he was jealous and said he wanted that experience.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 16, 2016

Regarding his contract term with Bellator, “The American Gangster” said he is in it for the long run with Bellator. Sonnen claimed something in the realm of a six-fight deal over three years.

Sonnen said his deal is 6 fights over 3 years and Coker said he's in the right ball park.

— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) September 16, 2016

Regarding his recent drug tests performed by USADA, Sonnen says that he had four tests, to which none came back with any problems.

Sonnen says he was tested 4 times by USADA and there were no problems.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 16, 2016

Coker was questioned on Bellator’s drug testing policy and replied that Bellator abides by what the state athletic commissions rule.

Coker on drug testing: Our policy is that we always abide by what the state athletic commission wants to do.

— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) September 16, 2016

Coker also added that Bellator does not have any immediate plans to hire a third party such as USADA for year-round drug testing of their athletes.

Scott Coker says Bellator has no intention right now of hiring an independent drug testing agency for year-round testing.

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) September 16, 2016

Regarding now being under the Bellator roster and having previously fought for the UFC, Sonnen says that he was proud to be with the UFC, and extremely proud to now be with Bellator and is looking to get back to setting records like had done in the past.

Sonnen: I was proud to be a UFC fighter. I am extremely proud to be a Bellator fighter.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 16, 2016

Sonnen: I look at the numbers. I want the most ratings, t-shirt sales, PPV buys. I lost them all when I retired and I want them all back.

— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) September 16, 2016

With being an analyst for ESPN and a commentator for WSOF, Sonnen stated that signing with Bellator will not affect any of those deals.

Sonnen: For ESPN we cover MMA but for big fights and UFC dominate that. ESPN's commitment is not to the UFC, it's to MMA.

— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) September 16, 2016

Sonnen says he still has a deal with WSOF as a commentator but no business relationship with the UFC

— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) September 16, 2016

While Yahoo reported that it is obvious why Sonnen signed with Bellator, Sonnen stated that there will be consequences if he fails a drug test while fighting under Bellator in his contract.

“Chael says it’s in writing in his Bellator contract, if he fails a drug test, he will be fined 100 percent of his purse and fined $500k.”

Chael says it's in writing in his Bellator contract, if he fails a drug test, he will be fined 100 percent of his purse and fined $500k

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) September 16, 2016

Sonnen interestingly stated that he was given the opportunity to box Roy Jones Jr. in Abu Dhabi, but stayed true to his suspension under the NAC.

Sonnen says he skipped an opportunity to box Roy Jones Jr. on a rooftop in Abu Dhabi. That would've been for UR Fight.

— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) September 16, 2016

Sonnen said that he has been getting warm messages from everyone in the MMA community, even those from his past employer at the UFC.

Sonnen: You need to stand with your brand. I stand w/ Bellator. But privately, we're fans. I'm getting positive feedback from UFC employees.

— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) September 16, 2016

As far as the fight with Wanderlei Silva that never got to happen, Sonnen says he will chase the Brazilian down.

Sonnen: You need to stand with your brand. I stand w/ Bellator. But privately, we're fans. I'm getting positive feedback from UFC employees.

— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) September 16, 2016

Sonnen: I will definitely be fighting Wanderlei Silva in Bellator. I don't know if Scott Coker knows that, but I will.

— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) September 16, 2016

As for the money, Sonnen says that he just wants to compete and that he has made a lot of money throughout his career already.

Sonnen: People ask me 'why Bellator,' but I don't have a great answer.

— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) September 16, 2016

Chael claims this move is not about money. Says he's got money, he made the move to compete. No difference between 9 and 10 million.

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) September 16, 2016

The conference call ends with Sonnen saying: KABOOM

— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) September 16, 2016