Chael Sonnen News
Dricus du Plessis vs Paulo Costa should be the next fight, says MMA analyst
Harry Kettle - August 27, 2025
Chael Sonnen believes that Dricus du Plessis vs Paulo Costa is a smart fight to make in the middleweight division. As we know, Dricus du Plessis recently lost his UFC middleweight championship. He fell short in his title fight against Khamzat Chimaev and while some believe an immediate rematch could be on the cards, the majority are of the opinion that he needs to win a fight or two in order to earn his way back there.
Nobody wants to see Alex Pereira fight Magomed Ankalaev again, says outspoken UFC analyst
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 7, 2025
If you ask one UFC analyst, Alex Pereira shouldn’t have been booked in a rematch with Magomed Ankalaev. Pereira lost the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship to Ankalaev back in March. Ankalaev forced Pereira to fight while moving backward, which was unfamiliar territory for “Poatan.” The constant pressure from Ankalaev paid dividends, as he was able to secure the unanimous decision victory to obtain UFC gold for the first time in his pro MMA career.
Chael Sonnen doesn't believe it's fair to question Khamzat Chimaev's conditioning
Harry Kettle - August 5, 2025
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen doesn’t believe it’s fair to question the state of Khamzat Chimaev’s conditioning ahead of UFC 319. As we know, we’re just a few weeks away from Khamzat Chimaev challenging Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship. It’s a fight that’s been a long time coming, and it’s one that many are backing ‘Borz’ to win. However, some have questioned the state of his conditioning.
UFC analyst claims Ilia Topuria's first lightweight challenger has been decided
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 4, 2025
Has the first UFC lightweight title contender for Ilia Topuria been determined? Topuria recently captured the 155-pound gold by sleeping Charles Oliveira in the opening frame of their UFC 317 main event. That’s now three straight knockout wins over future UFC Hall of Famers for “El Matador.” While Topuria has looked like a world-beater, there are enticing challengers for him.
Islam Makhachev warned by UFC legend to avoid costly mistake: 'It only gets harder'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 19, 2025
One UFC icon hopes Islam Makhachev can avoid making a big mistake. Makhachev will officially relinquish the UFC Lightweight Championship once the vacant title fight between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira begins. Topuria vs. Oliveira will headline UFC 317 in Las Vegas on June 28. As for Makhachev, he will be challenging UFC Welterweight Champion Jack Della Maddalena at a date to be determined.
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen floats the idea of Kamaru Usman facing Shavkat Rakhmonov
Harry Kettle - June 18, 2025
Chael Sonnen has given his thoughts on the possibility of Kamaru Usman facing Shavkat Rakhmonov in a huge welterweight clash. As we know, Kamaru Usman’s win over Joaquin Buckley has vaulted him right back into championship contention at 170 pounds. He was able to prove that he still has what it takes to defeat top guys in the welterweight division, cementing his status as one of the true all-time greats.
Chael Sonnen provides fresh update on Ben Askren’s health crisis
Harry Kettle - June 13, 2025
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has provided a fresh update on the current health status of MMA veteran and wrestling legend Ben Askren. In recent days, it’s become public knowledge that former UFC fighter Ben Askren is currently dealing with a pretty severe health problem. He was admitted to hospital, initially relating to a staph infection, with it later coming out that he was suffering from pneumonia. Ever since then, the mixed martial arts world has been quick to flood his family with messages of support.
UFC analyst reveals what Anderson Silva told him about secret Jon Jones sparring session
BJ Penn Staff - June 5, 2025
Jon Jones and Anderson Silva are without a doubt two of the greatest fighters in UFC history. Jones is the current UFC heavyweight champion, but spent most of his career reigning over the light heavyweight division. Silva, meanwhile, was the long-time champion one division down at middleweight. Unfortunately, the two greats never ended up fighting each other, as Silva’s prime occurred a bit before Jones reached the pinnacle.
Another popular UFC analyst questions Ilia Topuria's coaching change ahead of UFC 317
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 25, 2025
You can count another prominent UFC analyst who is unsure what to make of Ilia Topuria’s decision to split from his longtime coaches. The news came as a surprise to many within the MMA industry. Jorge and Agustin Climent had been in Topuria’s corner since his days as an amateur. They helped prepare him for his eventual UFC Featherweight Championship victory. A little over a month before his UFC Lightweight Championship fight against Charles Oliveira, word broke that “El Matador” had split from the Climent brothers.
Popular UFC analyst thinks Islam Makhachev ducked Ilia Topuria
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 19, 2025
One well-known MMA personality believes that Islam Makhachev purposely avoided Ilia Topuria. Makhachev will be vacating the UFC Lightweight Championship once Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira begins at UFC 317. The UFC lightweight title defense recordholder is moving up to challenge UFC Welterweight Champion Jack Della Maddalena at some point. Topuria labeled Makhachev a “coward” for refusing to fight him.
UFC legend calls Belal Muhammad the third best welterweight of all time
Harry Kettle - May 9, 2025
UFC analyst Chael Sonnen has dubbed Belal Muhammad the third best UFC welterweight champion of all time. Over the course of the last few years, Belal Muhammad has been slowly but surely rising up through the ranks of the UFC’s welterweight division. Now, we’re at a point where he sits at the top of the mountain as the UFC welterweight champion. He has earned that title through commitment, hard work and dedication, and this weekend, he is set to defend the gold at 170 pounds.
UFC legend walks back Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall claims, says new challenger has emerged
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 23, 2025
A member of the “Fight Wing” section of the UFC Hall of Fame is now hearing that Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall isn’t the next heavyweight title fight after all. Fans have grown tired of waiting for the UFC heavyweight title picture to move forward with an undisputed championship fight. Aspinall has held the interim title since Nov. 2023. Jones and Aspinall have the same amount of title defenses, but their matchup still hasn’t been booked.
UFC legend says Alex Pereira won't find success in Magomed Ankalaev rematch
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 30, 2025
One UFC legend isn’t keen on Alex Pereira accepting an immediate rematch against Magomed Ankalaev. Pereira lost the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship to Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313 in March. “Poatan” was defeated via unanimous decision. The story of the fight was that Ankalaev was the aggressor, forcing Pereira to fight backwards, which limited the effectiveness of his striking.
Chael Sonnen tricked opponent to win a fight early in his MMA career
Harry Kettle - March 17, 2025
Chael Sonnen reportedly tricked an opponent of his in order to win a fight early in his mixed martial arts career. Chael Sonnen has always been an incredible character in the world of mixed martial arts. In fact, you could make the argument that he’s the best trash talker in the history of the sport. However, back when he fought against Jason Lambert in 2003, he was a relative unknown.
Chael Sonnen defends Sean Strickland's head coach following post-UFC 312 comments
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 14, 2025
Chael Sonnen is coming to the defense of Sean Strickland’s head coach Eric Nicksick. Nicksick surprised many within the MMA community with some brutal honesty on his working relationship with Strickland. Nicksick made the comments during his appearance on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” On the program, Nicksick said that his job is to train world champions. He was adamant that Strickland needs to decide what he wants to do going forward. This was after Strickland suffered a one-sided loss to Dricus du Plessis in their UFC 312 rematch.
Chael Sonnen believes Khamzat Chimaev could serve as back-up fighter for UFC 312 main event
Harry Kettle - February 5, 2025
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen believes Khamzat Chimaev may end up serving as the back-up fighter for the UFC 312 main event. As we know, Khamzat Chimaev is a top contender in the middleweight division. While Dricus du Plessis may be defending the belt against Sean Strickland at UFC 312, we all know ‘Borz’ is waiting for the winner. In addition, many believe he’d be the favorite against either of the two potential champions.
Chael Sonnen is convinced that Islam Makhachev is eager to leave lightweight division
Harry Kettle - February 4, 2025
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has explained why he believes Islam Makhachev is eager to leave the lightweight division. Islam Makhachev is the pound-for-pound best fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship right now. He’s also the UFC lightweight champion. Oh, and he’s also heavily teased the idea of moving up in search of a second world title. So, in summary, he’s pretty busy these days.
Chael Sonnen reveals Colby Covington will be his assistant coach on TUF 33
Cole Shelton - February 3, 2025
Chael Sonnen will be coaching TUF 33 opposite Daniel Cormier and he revealed his coaching staff. TUF 33 is set to debut on May 27 and will have two legends as coaches, instead of current fighters who are usually booked to fight after the show airs. Ahead of the show airing, Sonnen revealed in an interview that Colby Covington will be one of his assistant coaches.