Chael Sonnen’s two-year suspension ends in July 2016, and it’s a lucky coincidence, that the UFC’s historic 200th pay-per-view event will be held in the exact same month. Although Sonnen, who is one of the bigger PPV draws in UFC history, says he wasn’t offered to fight at the event and doesn’t want to either.
In fact, he completely ruled out a UFC comeback during the 300th episode of the MMA Hour.
“I am not coming back,” Sonnen said.
Sonnen was suspended in July last year, after failing multiple tests for performance-enhancing drugs. The 38-year old has evolved from mid-tier fighter to pay-per-view main-event attraction by starting to promote his fights with entertaining trash talk. His feud and two fights with Brazilian top star and former UFC champion Anderson Silva elevated both men to superstardom.
Sonnen hasn’t fought since a one-sided loss to Rashad Evans in November 2013. He will be 39 years old when his suspension is up next year, and says a comeback is totally out of the question. “I am not putting a toe in the water. I don’t know how to speak any more clear.”
“Am I getting the itch?” Sonnen said. “Man, I never really lose it. When I go to bed at night, I do still fantasize about that. But I fantasize about a lot of things.”
Although basically retired, Sonnen currently has an extremely tight schedule as commentator for WSOF and analyst for ESPN, along with making appearances at Global Force Wrestling and running his own podcast. It seems that there is not much room left for an MMA comeback – and no need for it either.
“I won’t be back,” Sonnen stressed.
Looks like fans of the outspoken former middleweight contender will have to rely on the grappling-event series like Metamoris, if they want to see him fight again. The decorated wrestler competed twice for the organization, with rather lackluster performances.
You can watch the whole segment with Sonnen above.