Chael Sonnen News

Curtis Calhoun - April 9, 2026

UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen believes the UFC has a significant marketing problem surrounding Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg. UFC 327 is hours away as former UFC light heavyweight titleholder Jiri Prochazka and streaking contender Carlos Ulberg fight for the vacant light heavyweight championship in the main event. Prochazka’s recent wins over Khalil Rountree Jr. and Jamahal Hill catapulted him back into the title mix, while Ulberg’s impressive win streak earned the talented New Zealander a shot at the belt.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 6, 2026

Michael Chandler may be on his way to retirement soon if Chael Sonnen’s hunch proves to be correct. Chandler is scheduled to compete on the UFC Freedom 250 card on June 14. He will be facing Mauricio Ruffy in a bout that many believe was made to enhance the Brazilian bruiser’s stock. Some believe that Chandler might hang up his gloves depending on the outcome of the fight.

Harry Kettle - April 2, 2026

MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has given his thoughts on Sean Strickland’s upcoming fight against Khamzat Chimaev. At UFC 328, Sean Strickland will get his chance to try and become a two-time UFC middleweight champion when he challenges Khamzat Chimaev for the belt. While many favor Chimaev to win, Sean certainly has the skills necessary to cause him some real problems.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 1, 2026

If Chael Sonnen’s hunch proves to be correct, then fight fans will miss out on Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz 3. Much has been made over Nate Diaz’s recent appearance on “This Past Weekend.” During the podcast appearance, the Stockton native said he didn’t want to be the first opponent for McGregor since he’s returning from an injury. Diaz did express interest in the trilogy if the “Notorious” one makes a successful return.

Harry Kettle - February 18, 2026

MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has explained why he believes Alex Pereira will be part of the UFC White House card. As we know, Alex Pereira is easily one of the biggest stars in all of mixed martial arts – and perhaps in the entirety of combat sports. His run since arriving in the UFC has been nothing short of remarkable, and even at this point in his career, he still seems to have a bright future ahead of him.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 10, 2026

Chael Sonnen doesn’t believe Jon Jones is out of the all-time great conversation due to past controversies with drug testing. There’s no doubting that “Bones” is one of the most talented fighters to ever enter the MMA space. His lone defeat has been heavily disputed, as he was disqualified in his 2009 bout against Matt Hamill for using 12-6 elbows, which were illegal at the time. Many argued that referee Steve Mazzagatti should’ve stopped the fight well before Jones even landed the elbows.

Curtis Calhoun - January 20, 2026

UFC legend Chael Sonnen spoke out against what he sees as unfair treatment of top lightweight Arman Tsarukyan by the promotional brass. Top UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan will have to wait a bit longer for another shot at the title ahead of UFC 324.

Curtis Calhoun - January 8, 2026

UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen isn’t buying Justin Gaethje’s recent dismissal of a possible staph infection suffered ahead of UFC 324. Justin Gaethje will get his second chance at winning an interim lightweight title later this month when he clashes with Paddy Pimblett in the UFC 324 main event. Gaethje and Pimblett will fight for the interim belt amid Ilia Topuria’s ongoing hiatus from competition.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 19, 2025

Anderson Silva is happy that his relationship with Chael Sonnen is on far better terms these days. At one time, Silva and Sonnen had the most intense rivalry in all of combat sports. Sonnen made his share of disparaging remarks about Silva and Brazil to the point where the UFC brass feared for his safety. Ultimately, Silva defeated Sonnen twice inside the Octagon and the two squashed their beef. By the time Silva and Sonnen fought once more inside a boxing ring, there was no animosity at all.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 17, 2025

One well-known analyst has shifted his opinion on Ilia Topuria’s status as the UFC Lightweight Champion. Topuria might be holding the main 155-pound title, but he will not be featured in the next lightweight championship bout. Instead, Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje will be fighting for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship on Jan. 24. The bout will headline UFC 324, which will be UFC’s debut event on Paramount+.

Curtis Calhoun - December 16, 2025

UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen had a similar run-in with Francis Ngannou that UFC CEO Dana White recently alleged. Despite being two years removed from their nasty split, UFC CEO Dana White and former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou remain at odds.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 16, 2025

A former UFC title contender isn’t sold on Conor McGregor fighting on the White House card. McGregor hasn’t fought since 2021, yet UFC continues to use him to market the promotion’s debut on Paramount+. The “Notorious” one is the biggest name to ever compete in UFC and he has vowed to fight again. It hasn’t happened since he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier in their trilogy fight.

Dylan Bowker - November 12, 2025

Chael Sonnen did not mince words when talking about the blockbuster viability that Ronda Rousey was said to have had in her career as an active fighter. During an interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, Sonnen delved into discussing the former UFC bantamweight champion and called into question the purported elements of just how popular a star the MMA promotion claimed she was in her heyday.

Harry Kettle - November 11, 2025

MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has praised flyweight star Muhammad Mokaev and thinks he’s heading back to the UFC. For the longest time now, Muhammad Mokaev has been viewed as an incredibly exciting prospect at flyweight. During his time with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, it certainly seemed as if he was building his way towards a title shot. Alas, in the end, that didn’t quite come to fruition, and he was instead released following his big win over Manel Kape.

Curtis Calhoun - November 10, 2025

UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen wants James Krause to be excluded from the FBI’s ongoing probe into suspicious gambling activity. It’s been a rough month thus far for the UFC.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 26, 2025

Chael Sonnen’s controversial comment post-UFC 321 has a lot of people talking, including a retired standup warrior. During the UFC 321 post-fight show, Sonnen reacted to Tom Aspinall being unable to continue after being poked in both eyes by Ciryl Gane this past Saturday.

Curtis Calhoun - September 30, 2025

UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen didn’t hold back on the man who brutally assaulted Wanderlei Silva during a chaotic post-fight brawl. MMA legend Wanderlei Silva’s exhibition boxing debut didn’t go according to plan against Acelino Freitas, during and after the fight itself.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 24, 2025

Ronda Rousey recently said she’s finding her love for MMA again after posting training videos, but one UFC Hall of Famer advises fans to not be fooled. Rousey has been out of pro MMA competition since she was stopped by Amanda Nunes in 48 seconds back in late 2016. After she dominated the women’s bantamweight division and secured a perfect record of 12-0, “Rowdy” suffered back-to-back finishing losses before transitioning to the world of pro wrestling. Rousey hasn’t been under WWE contract since 2023 and she got fans buzzing with her MMA training videos.