ESPN MMA analyst and three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen is going to take up the role of color commentator starting in just about two weeks time. In an official press release, World Series of Fighting announced that Sonnen has signed a multi-event agreement to serve as TV analyst alongside play-by-play voice Todd Harris. Here’s Sonnen’s quote from the release:
“I am stoked to join the powerhouse team at World Series of Fighting, and call their fights that feature some of the best mixed martial artists on the planet,” said Sonnen “World Series of Fighting has done an outstanding job of building their organization into a top-tier franchise in a very short span of time, and I am just proud to be a part of such a fast-growing company.
Sonnen was a UFC analyst on FOX networks before his 2014 firing after he’d tested positive for multiple banned substances ahead of his fight with Vitor Belfort. ESPN soon scooped him up for an analyst position, and the 38-year-old also worked alongside Jim Ross for a Battlegrounds MMA show last October.
WSOF president Ray Sefo had this to say:
“We are thrilled to have Chael Sonnen, one of the most colorful individuals in professional sports, join our production,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo. “We are confident Chael will enhance the fan viewing experience both for our growing national audience on NBCSN and across the globe by providing the insights he learned competing at the highest level of the sport.”
Chael’s first event will be on September 18th for WSOF 23, with Justin Gaethje and Luis Palomino headlining the card in a rematch of their thrilling lightweight title fight from earlier this year. It is unknown whether or not Bas Rutten will continue working for the promotion, or if we’ll soon see a Harris/Rutten/Sonnen trio.
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