Chael Sonnen News
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.
Jon Jones issues cryptic statement after further legal issues
Harry Kettle - June 23, 2025
UFC veteran Jon Jones has issued a vague statement on social media after recent legal issues were revealed. As we know, Jon Jones has opted to retire from mixed martial arts. He’s also vacated the UFC heavyweight championship, with Tom Aspinall now being promoted to the undisputed champion slot. As we look ahead to the next phase of his life, it’s not clear as to whether or not the 38-year-old will opt to return at some point in the future.
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.
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.
UFC analyst claims Conor McGregor's physical appearance is 'screaming cocaine'
BJ Penn Staff - May 26, 2025
Chael Sonnen believes Conor McGregor is aging unnaturally quickly thanks to excessive substance abuse. In fact, he believes McGregor now looks 10 years older than UFC CEO Dana White — which would make him 65 years old. “They did a side-by-side, it was Conor and Dana,” Sonnen said on Instagram (via MMA Mania). “I swear to goodness, Conor looked 10 years older than Dana White, and you could see it in the eyes. You could see the booze in the eyelids and the cocaine in the eyeballs, saying ‘I wanna fight.’ And then you’ve got a promoter who’s the only one with the legal right on the face of the earth to make it so that you can fight, and that promoter is standing there saying, ‘We’re not even close, I’m not even taking his calls right now.’”
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 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.
Analyst claims Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall fight is "agreed" to: "The fight is done"
Cole Shelton - April 22, 2025
UFC analyst Chael Sonnen says Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall is a done deal and will be announced soon. Jones vs Aspinall is one of the biggest fights to make in the UFC, but there hasn’t been much talk on when or if it would happen. Some thought Jones would retire, and Aspinall would get promoted to undisputed champ. Yet, Sonnen claims the fight is agreed to and the date is locked in.
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 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 confirms Colby Covington's next opponent will likely be Gilbert Burns: "He will fight again"
Josh Evanoff - February 4, 2025
Chael Sonnen has revealed Colby Covington will likely face Gilbert Burns in his UFC return. The ever-controversial ‘Chaos’ is fresh off his return to the cage at UFC Tampa in December. Colby Covington famously went on hiatus following his loss to Leon Edwards in late 2023, but he stepped up on short notice to face Joaquin Buckley. ‘New Mansa’ entered his first UFC headliner red-hot, last scoring a knockout win over Stephen Thompson in October.
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.
It isn't safe for Conor McGregor to fight again, says UFC legend: 'He shouldn't do any form of combat'
Chris Taylor - January 31, 2025
One well-known MMA personality doesn’t believe it’s safe for Conor McGregor to fight competitively again. McGregor has not been seen inside the Octagon since July 2021 where he suffered a broken leg in his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier. The former two-division UFC champion was planning on making his return against Michael Chandler in the main event of UFC 303. An injury derailed that plan, and fans have since been wondering if the Irishman will ever return to prizefighting.
Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen speak after being named coaches of The Ultimate Fighter 33: "We'll have to grapple!"
Josh Evanoff - January 20, 2025
UFC Hall of Famers Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen can’t wait to coach The Ultimate Fighter. It’s no secret that the UFC’s long-running reality show has seen better days. Since the creation of the Dana White Contender Series in 2017, The Ultimate Fighter has taken a bit of a backseat. While the show has continued to run with the likes of Conor McGregor as coaches, ratings have badly declined.