When you’re the best fighter in the world today, they don’t call you a great fighter. They call you Chael Sonnen.
The greatest showman and trash talker in MMA’s history has returned to the sport. Sonnen (28-14-1) has signed a multi-year, multi-fight contract with the UFC’s largest competitor, Bellator.
Now 39, the two-time UFC middleweight contender and one-time UFC light heavyweight contender will make his return with the promotion following a two-year suspension in 2014 for failing a drug test.
The Rulers Back.
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) September 16, 2016
Sonnen appears to be content being a prizefighter for Bellator as he announced in a press release that he will be taking fights at multiple weight classes. Or, as he put it, he now fights at ‘Gangster Weight’.
“I’m consistently blown away by the product and presentation that Bellator is bringing to the fans,” Sonnen said.
“I’m not nearly done competing and I’m coming after everyone, everywhere. I’m not sticking to one weight class either, I fight at ‘Gangster Weight’ and nobody is safe.”
Bellator MMA President Scott Coker confirmed that the American Gangster is open to taking fights from middleweight right up to heavyweight with some huge names being touted as possible opponents.
“When we were in the process of 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 matchups together starting before the end of the year.”
Although no fights have been booked just yet, Sonnen told Greg Beacham of the Associated Press that he’s eyeing up a high profile light heayweight bout against former UFC champion Tito Ortiz for his return fight.
I asked Chael Sonnen when and who he wants to fight first with Bellator: "The Bad Boy vs the Bad Guy in November, and that's a quote."
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) September 16, 2016
If Ortiz isn’t available for the contest, a certain Canadian welterweight is willing to take Sonnen up on his “Gangster Weight” offer.
https://twitter.com/rory_macdonald/status/776636192523595776
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