The self-proclaimed undefeated and undisputed champion of the middleweight division officially announced his retirement on UFC Tonight. Chael Sonnen retires from the sport just days after failing a random drug test from the Nevada State Athletic Commission, removing him from his scheduled fight with Vitor Belfort that was set to take place at UFC 175.
Sonnen will always be remembered for his rivalry with Anderson Silva, as well as his work on the microphone. With both his unexpected performance at UFC 117 and with his trash talk, his rematch with Anderson Silva became one of the most anticipated fights in UFC history, and turned Chael Sonnen into an MMA star.
Sonnen ends his career with a 28-14-1 record, having gone 0-3 in UFC championship fights.
“My health has got to come first,” Sonnen said on UFC Tonight, referencing his use of testosterone replacement therapy. Sonnen had explained in interviews before his retirement that going off of the treatment would affect his health, and it seems like it was enough for him to decide that now was the time to call it quits.
Chael Sonnen’s mic skills and snappy one-liners drew fans into watching his fights, and his on and off relationship with Brazil made for a mix of hate and love from that nation. It is likely that Sonnen will still be involved with the UFC, whether as a host, commentator, or hype man.
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