by King Hazard
The MMA bad guy is official back in combat sport. Following an initial report by The Associated Press, Chael Sonnen is returning inside the cage and it won’t be the one within the UFC.
That’s right! Sonnen has parted ways with the UFC. He will now compete inside the 360 cage after signing a multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA. At Sonnen’s own request, the UFC recently granted him his release.
Bellator MMA President Scott Coker stated,
Chael is an incredible athlete that has competed at the very highest levels of the sport, and I know that he is going to continue to do just that here at Bellator. When we were signing him, Chael was adamant that he wants to compete in three divisions here. He already has unfinished business with Wanderlei Silva, but he also wants to fight guys like Tito Ortiz, Fedor Emelianenko and even Rory MacDonald at middleweight. These are all fights that I’d be very inclined to watch, so hopefully we can put some, if not all of these match-ups together starting before the end of the year.
Back in July, Sonnen told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour he has the “itch” to fight again and had reinstated himself in the UFC’s USADA drug testing pool.
I definitely have that itch, I fantasize about it. But it’s one step at a time. I’m not holding back from you. I’m not acting like my return is some kind of breaking news. I’d tell it to you right now. But I have to pass this first test, quite frankly. It’s still out there. I’ve gotta pass it. If I pass that, I’ll pass all of them. But I have to know that everything is out. Boom, step one down.
Sonnen’s Bellator debut is expected to be announced very soon. So stay tuned to Yell! Magazine for the update.
Stay Connected