Three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen is retiring from mixed martial arts.
Sonnen made the announcement Wednesday on UFC Tonight, a FOX Sports 1 show he co-hosts.
“I want to take an opportunity to officially announcement my retirement from competitive mixed martial arts. I had a great time,” Sonnen said who proceeded to thank those that helped him throughout his career.
The news comes one day after it was revealed Sonnen failed a drug test performed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission last month in Las Vegas. Sonnen was scheduled to fight Vitor Belfort July 5 at UFC 175, but was pulled from the event when his test results were known.
Sonnen tested positive for banned substances Anastrozole and Clomiphene, which he later explained were to assist with fertility issues. The West Linn, Ore., native says he doesn’t regret taking the substances because his wife is now pregnant.
The 37-year-old has earned notable UFC wins over Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Michael Bisping, Brian Stann, Nate Marquardt and Yushin Okami, but Sonnen truly became a star because of his rivalry with longtime middleweight champion Anderson Silva.
Sonnen and Silva have one of the most intense rivalries in MMA history, a rivalry that began prior to their first fight at UFC 117 in 2010. In the lead-up to that fight, Sonnen insulted Silva repeatedly and said he would beat the Brazilian superstar despite the fact he was a massive underdog. In the fight, Sonnen proceeded to dominate Silva – something that at the time was unthinkable – only to be submitted late in the fifth round. It’s regarded as one of the best fights in UFC history.
Despite the loss, Sonnen ramped up his trash talk and it led to an anticipated rematch at UFC 148; Silva won the rematch by second-round TKO and the two have remained cordial since.
Sonnen also thanked his rival.
“I also want to thank the most important opponent I’ve ever had,” Sonnen said. “I couldn’t have got here without this dance partner, and that is of course you, Anderson Silva. Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you for the memories, thank you for the invitation to the barbeque, even though I didn’t take you up on it.”
Sonnen finishes his MMA career with a record of 28-14-1 that includes a 7-7 mark in the UFC.
