Longtime UFC veteran and current World Series Of Fighting personality Chael Sonnen has signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA.
Sonnen had announced his retirement from the sport in 2014 after failing an out of competition drug test. In an odd twist to that story, his proposed opponent in Wanderlei Silva also failed an out of competition drug test around the same time.
Sonnen, during his time in the UFC, did challenge twice for the UFC Middleweight Title and once for the UFC Light Heavyweight Title, he was never able to capture the belts. Sonnen’s last bout before the self-imposed retirement was a loss to Rashad Evans at UFC 167 in November 2013.
Sonnen was asked by The Associated Press about signing with Bellator MMA after claiming for so long that he would remain retired for good.
“I’m a heel. Heels lie” said Sonnen.
Sonnen also stated that he is open to fighting just about every fighter on the Bellator MMA roster and that he is willing to fight at any weight class as well. During his long tenure in the UFC/WEC, Sonnen fought in multiple weight classes.
Although an opponent has yet to be announced or an official promotional debut date, Sonnen is now done with his two year suspension for a failed drug test, so he could technically return to action at any time.
No official statements have been issued by Bellator MMA or Chael Sonnen as of this writing, nor was there an announcement of his status as a commentator for the World Series Of Fighting.
Click on this LINK to hear an interview that Fightful conducted with Chael Sonnen this past August.
(Updated 10:01pm EST.: Ariel Helwani has reported on MMA Fighting that Chael Sonnen was able to sign with Bellator MMA is due to the fact that the UFC granted Sonnen a release within the last month.)
