Chael Sonnen News

Chael Sonnen
Chael Sonnen

Chael Sonnen says he 'will be a failure' if he doesn't win a title

Cole Shelton - June 13, 2019

In the co-main event of Bellator 222, Chael Sonnen will take on Lyoto Machida at light heavyweight. There, it is expected the winner of that fight will take on Ryan Bader for the promotions light heavyweight title. With that said, this could be the last time that Chael Sonnen finds himself within reach of a title shot. The 42-year-old made a promise to his father before he passed away that he would win a title in a major MMA promotion. After three attempts in the UFC and one in the WEC, he has yet to accomplish it. Sonnen still plans on keeping that promise, for if he doesn’t, he consider himself a failure.

Lyoto Machida, Chael Sonnen
Chael Sonnen

Bellator 222 | Pro fighters make their picks for Chael Sonnen vs. Lyoto Machida

Cole Shelton - June 12, 2019

Bellator returns to Madison Square Garden in New York City with the stacked Bellator 222 card this weekend. The card sees two titles on the line and an intriguing light heavyweight matchup between Chael Sonnen and Lyoto Machida. Ahead of the light heavyweight showdown, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions on this light heavyweight matchup. And, the consensus is that Sonnen will use his wrestling and grind out a win.

Henry Cejudo, Dana White, Valentina Shevchenko, Ali Abdelaziz
Henry Cejudo

Coach discusses Chael Sonnen's influence on Henry Cejudo

Tom Taylor - June 5, 2019

You’ve probably noticed that UFC flyweight champion Henry Cejudo has come out of his shell lately. Ahead of his UFC 238 bantamweight title fight with Marlon Moraes, he’s been talking trash and cutting promos in a way that he never has previously. According to his coach, that’s due in part to the influence of Chael Sonnen. Speaking at a scrum this week, coach Eric Albarracin explained how Henry Cejudo has been influenced by the infamous trash talker Chael Sonnen (via MMA Fighting).

Lyoto-Machida-Chael-Sonnen
Bellator 222

Lyoto Machida explains decision to fight Chael Sonnen, details lofty goals in Bellator

Chris Taylor - May 25, 2019

Lyoto Machida will return to the cage on June 14 where he will square off with Chael Sonnen in the headliner of Bellator 222. The former UFC light heavyweight champion, Machida (25-8 MMA), made his Bellator debut this past December where he picked up a split-decision win over former Bellator middleweight title holder Rafael Carvalho.

Chael Sonnen, Conor McGregor
Chael Sonnen

Report | Chael Sonnen returns to the Bellator cage opposite former UFC champ Lyoto Machida

Tom Taylor - April 4, 2019

Chael Sonnen is set to return to the cage the summer, and his opponent will be former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida. The bout will go down on June 14 inside New York City’s world famous Madison Square Garden. This news was first reported by ESPN, and subsequently confirmed by MMA Junkie.

Conor McGregor, Khamzat Chimaev
Conor McGregor

Chael Sonnen offers interesting theory on Conor McGregor retirement

Tom Taylor - March 28, 2019

Conor McGregor has retired from MMA — at least, that’s what he’s claiming. Hey guys quick announcement, I’ve decided to retire from the sport formally known as “Mixed Martial Art” today.I wish all my old colleagues well going forward in competition.I now join my former partners on this venture, already in retirement.Proper Pina Coladas on me fellas!

Chael Sonnen, Conor McGregor
Jon Jones

Chael Sonnen makes bold prediction for UFC 235 main event

Chris Taylor - March 2, 2019

Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen has a bold prediction for tonight’s UFC 235 main event title fight between Jon Jones and Anthony Smith. “The American Gangster” joined Ariel Helwani last night on ESPN’s Sports Center where he shared his pick for this evenings highly anticipated UFC 235 main event.

Lyoto-Machida-Chael-Sonnen
Chael Sonnen

Lyoto Machida heading back to light heavyweight with Chael Sonnen fight in the works

Drake Riggs - February 27, 2019

It has been six years since the former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida (25-8) competed in a bout that took place at 205-pounds. However, that appears to be changing for his upcoming fight. According to ESPN, a light heavyweight bout between Machida and the three-time UFC title challenger, Chael Sonnen (31-16-1) is currently being finalized for an event to be determined. Both fighters have reportedly verbally agreed to the bout.

Jon Jones, Chael Sonnen
Chael Sonnen

Chael Sonnen shares interesting take on Jon Jones drug testing situation

Tom Taylor - January 30, 2019

Three-time UFC title challenger and current Bellator star Chael Sonnen has some interesting views on Jon Jones’ recent drug testing drama. Throughout this recent drama, Jones has maintained that he never knowingly ingested banned substances. Sonnen believes that’s only half true. In his eyes, Jon Jones has probably not intentionally ingested recently — but he certainly has previously.

Chael Sonnen
Chael Sonnen

Chael Sonnen calls out Ryan Bader, deletes Tweet

Tom Taylor - January 27, 2019

Last night, in the main event of Bellator 214, Ryan Bader became Bellator’s first two-division champion by knocking out Fedor Emelianenko to capture the heavyweight strap. At present, it’s not known whether Bader will defend his heavyweight or light heavyweight belt first. Whatever the case, Chael Sonnen seems interested in being his first challenger. On Saturday night, shortly after Ryan Bader won the strap, Chael Sonnen called him out on Twitter — though he promptly deleted the Tweet.

Chael-Sonnen-Shogun-Rua
Chael Sonnen

Chael Sonnen earns his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt

Drake Riggs - January 13, 2019

If someone would have told you eight to nine years ago that the then top UFC middleweight contender Chael Sonnen would one day be an official Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, you probably wouldn’t have believed them. Yet here we are!

Tito Ortiz, Chael Sonnen
Chael Sonnen

Tito Ortiz wants to 'torture' Chael Sonnen in rematch

Thomas Taylor - January 8, 2019

Roughly two years after their first fight, Tito Ortiz and Chael Sonnen are still going at it. The latest skirmish in the pair’s ongoing war of words occurred on Twitter. This time around, it was Sonnen who fired the first shot. 

Tito Ortiz, Chael Sonnen
Golden Boy Promotions

Tito Ortiz calls out Chael Sonnen: 'I'm going to beat you down'

Tom Taylor - December 3, 2018

Shortly after he knocked out his arch rival Chuck Liddell in the main event of the first-ever Golden Boy MMA card late last month, former UFC light heavyweight champ Tito Ortiz announced that he planned to retire from MMA for good and focus on his burgeoning career as a fight promotor. “I’m done.” Ortiz said when asked if he’d be retiring. “There is nobody left I want to fight. I just want to continue to help the sports grow as a promoter. I want to help give back to the fighters.”

Chael Sonnen, Conor McGregor
Chuck Liddell

Chael Sonnen gives harsh critique of Tito Ortiz vs. Chuck Liddell 'disaster'

Tom Taylor - November 26, 2018

Last weekend, UFC Hall of Famers Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz met for a third time. They did so in the main event of the first MMA card promoted by long-time boxing promoter Oscar De La Hoya. While some fight fans were impressed by Oscar De La Hoya’s first MMA offering, Bellator MMA star Chael Sonnen was not. In fact, he’s calling it a ‘disaster.’

Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Chuck Liddell vs Tito Ortiz 3
Chuck Liddell

Chael Sonnen rips "has beens" Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell

Chris Taylor - November 22, 2018

Former two-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen is not supporting this weekend’s third fight between Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell. “The American Gangster” recently took to Twitter where he referred to both men, Ortiz and Liddell, as “has beens”.

Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm, Joe Rogan
Ronda Rousey

Chael Sonnen gives in-depth assessment of Ronda Rousey's UFC career

Tom Taylor - November 21, 2018

There was a time not all that long ago when former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey was considered not only the best female mixed martial artist on the planet, but one of the best fighters alive outright. Unfortunately, her legendary reign crumbled rather abruptly when she was stopped in back-to-back fights with Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. Today, Ronda Rousey is enjoying tremendous success as a pro wrestler in WWE. Unfortunately, many MMA fans are still critical of the former UFC champion for the way she handled the two losses that ended her time in the UFC.

Floyd Mayweather, Tenshin Nasukawa
Floyd Mayweather

Chael Sonnen: Floyd Mayweather 'will be 50-1' after bout with Tenshin Nasukawa

Tom Taylor - November 19, 2018

The mysterious RIZIN 14 showdown between undefeated boxing legend Floyd Mayweather and 20-year-old kickboxing sensation Tenshin Nasukawa is apparently back on. According to Mayweather, however, it will merely be a boxing exhibition… just three, three-minute rounds of “moving around” for yet another mammoth payday.  While Floyd Mayweather seems to think this fight with Tenshin Nasukawa will be little more than a light sparring session, Bellator star and MMA analyst Chael Sonnen is imploring the pugilist to be a little more discerning.

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Chael Sonnen

VIDEO | Chael Sonnen compares his experiences against three of MMA's all-time greats

Drake Riggs - November 13, 2018

Fedor was the strongest, Jon Jones was the most dynamic, and Anderson Silva was the... pic.twitter.com/CpDcVVI2NG — Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) November 13, 2018