Chael Sonnen News

Tom Taylor - March 31, 2020

Chael Sonnen recognizes that the coronavirus pandemic is a serious issue, but he’s also having a hard time wrapping his head around the criticism directed at UFC President Dana White. While most other sports leagues — and many MMA promotions — have closed up shop to minimize the spread of of the virus, White has been defiantly attempting to promote events as normal in the early weeks of this crisis.

Chris Taylor - March 28, 2020

Chael Sonnen believes that the police officers who arrested Jon Jones were purposely humiliating the UFC light heavyweight champion. Jones was arrested early on Thursday morning after officers responded to a gun shot call in downtown Albuquerque. On scene, the police found ‘Bones’ in a running jeep with a weapon. The UFC light heavyweight champion allegedly had marijuana residue on his clothing and also failed a sobriety test.

Tom Taylor - March 20, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has caused the combat sports industry to grind to a halt. Dozens of events have been postponed or canceled outright, and fighters are being deprived of the opportunity to compete. Yet Chael Sonnen believes this pandemic-related shutdown of the industry could be beneficial to fighters if they take proper advantage. In his eyes, fighters have a golden opportunity to gain some attention with much of the other noise drowned out.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 17, 2020

Chael Sonnen is leaning towards wanting to see Kevin Lee adjust to the welterweight division. This past Saturday night (March 14), Lee took on Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC Brasilia. The action was held inside the Ginasio Nilson Nelson. UFC Brasilia was closed to the public amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Tom Taylor - March 11, 2020

MMA fans were pretty disappointed by the UFC 248 main event, which pitted middleweight champ Israel Adesanya against challenger Yoel Romero. Former fighter and MMA analyst Chael Sonnen believes that’s because, as fans, we’re accustomed to amazing fights. Or as he puts it, “spoiled beyond belief.” The man’s not wrong.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 2, 2020

Chael Sonnen isn’t sure he shares in Dustin Poirier’s belief that Justin Gaethje can give Khabib Nurmagomedov his toughest test to date. Speaking to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani last month, Poirier expressed his belief that Gaethje could give Nurmagomedov problems. Poirier has shared the Octagon with both Gaethje and Nurmagomedov. “The Diamond” doesn’t believe Tony Ferguson will be the man to stop “The Eagle” when they collide on April 18.

Mike Pendleton - February 27, 2020

After his fight against Tyson Fury was stopped in the seventh round by his corner and trainer Mark Breland, Deontay Wilder was visibly upset. He’s even considering removing Breland from his team. While some have understood Wilder’s desire to “go out on his shield” many have criticized him for his reaction towards Breland and now another name is being added to that list.

Cole Shelton - February 26, 2020

Chael Sonnen has five possible phrases why Tito Ortiz and Alberto Del Rio’s fight was ruled a no-decision. Before the fight took place, he said it would be fixed. So, of course, topping his list is the fact that the fight was fake and the Texas commission found out.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 25, 2020

Chael Sonnen is in awe of Tyson Fury but he did find something “bizarre” about his stoppage win over Deontay Wilder. This past Saturday night (Feb. 22), Fury and Wilder collided a second time for the WBC heavyweight title. Back in Dec. 2018, the first bout between Fury and Wilder ended in a controversial split draw. “The Gypsy King” left no doubt in the rematch as he dropped “The Bronze Bomber” twice and earned the seventh-round TKO victory.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 3, 2020

Chael Sonnen admits things looked a bit suspicious to him in the confrontation between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal but he isn’t blaming either fighter. Last week ahead of the NFL Super Bowl LIV, UFC welterweight champion Usman and BMF title holder Masvidal engaged in an altercation on Radio Row in Miami. The two exchanged heated words and had to be separated. The confrontation did not get physical.

Tom Taylor - January 27, 2020

ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith has received a ton of hate from the MMA community over the last few days, catching flack from the likes of Joe Rogan, Conor McGregor, Josh Thomson, Din Thomas and others. In the opinion of UFC and Bellator analyst Chael Sonnen, however, the blowback Smith has received has been undue. The reason for all of this criticism, to remind, are the comments Smith made at UFC 246, which were widely regarded as disrespectful to Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.

Tom Taylor - January 20, 2020

UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal doesn’t take crap from anyone. He proved that when he brawled with Leon Edwards at last year’s UFC London card. If there was any remaining doubt about the kind of guy Masvidal is, however, a recent story from Chael Sonnen should dispel it.

Cole Shelton - January 7, 2020

Chael Sonnen believes people are counting out Donald Cerrone against Conor McGregor. In the main event of UFC 246, McGregor makes his highly-anticipated return to the Octagon on Jan. 18 opposite Cerrone at welterweight. Many fans think it is an easy fight for the Irishman, with some even suggesting Cowboy would take a dive. 

Natasha Hooper - January 7, 2020

Chael Sonnen is convinced that Jon Jones is the toughest fighter in the world. During a recent episode of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show, Sonnen and Helwani deliberated over the best fight of the decade. Helwani suggested Jones’ 2013 UFC 165 fight against Alexander Gustafsson was the first time the champion had faced any true adversity, adding that Jones’ partying and antics outside the octagon all contributed to the drama of a show-stopping fight.

Tom Taylor - January 2, 2020

Chael Sonnen has a hunch that Georges St-Pierre will fight again in 2020. St-Pierre, a former two-division UFC champion, is currently retired, but Sonnen doubts that retirement will stick.

Tom Taylor - January 2, 2020

Back in November, Jorge Masvidal captured the UFC’s one-off BMF belt with a win over Nate Diaz. While this BMF belt win represented a nice feather in Masvidal’s cap, it was not considered by many fans as a legitimate championship accomplishment. Chael Sonnen begs to differ. Sonnen, an analyst for both the UFC and Bellator, believes Masvidal is an absolutely legitimate MMA champion — even if that fact bothers people. Sonnen points to Conor McGregor’s interest in a BMF title fight with Masvidal as proof of this reality.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 16, 2019

Chael Sonnen believes that one could make a case for booking a rematch between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington. Usman successfully defended his UFC welterweight gold against Covington this past Saturday night (Dec. 14) in the main event of UFC 245. “The Nigerian Nightmare” and “Chaos” had a back-and-forth battle. Usman scored the fifth-round TKO victory.

Harry Kettle - December 4, 2019

Chael Sonnen has taken a look on the brighter side of Tony Ferguson’s entertaining interview on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show.  Ferguson came out swinging during the interview with Helwani in one of his first public chats since it was confirmed that he’d be facing Khabib Nurmagomedov on April 18 for the UFC Lightweight Championship. This is the fifth time that this fight has been booked, but for multiple reasons, it has never quite come to fruition.