Chael Sonnen mulling MMA return, unsure whether he'll pass a drug test
The last time we saw Chael Sonnen compete in the Octagon, it was November of 2013 and Rashad Evans dominated him en route to a first-round TKO at UFC 167. Since then, the self-proclaimed “bad guy” has been on the bench after being suspended for failing multiple drug tests by the Nevada Athletic Commission. Shortly after his latest drug test in 2014, Sonnen announced his retirement.
While being “retired,” Sonnen has done some analyst work for other MMA and pro wrestling promotions as well as competed in a trio of submission grappling matches.
But as of this week, Sonnen has completed his suspension and is now eligible to return to mixed martial arts competition. The question is whether we will see him in the UFC anytime soon.
The answer to that inquiry is that he’d love to come back, as long as he’s able to pass a drug test.
“I jumped into the [drug-testing] pool, which is a four-month process and I’ve done two tests,” Sonnen said in an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “But I don’t have the results back and, full disclosure Ariel, I don’t know what they are going to say.”
Sonnen, who is known for his candid interviews, admitted in a tongue-in-cheek manner that he’s “basically clean” but has concerns about being able to pass the USADA screenings necessary in order to get his license to compete. He has never shied away from discussing his previous PED use and isn’t quite sure that the supplements he has been using are USADA-compliant.
“I don’t want to be tested like everybody else,” Sonnen said. “I want it to be on a curve. I’d like a curved system. Oh, you had seven things last time, this time you’ve only got three. That’s pretty good. That’s the kind of test I’m looking for. And I’m not sure that’s out there.”
Sonnen is best known for his rivalry with Anderson Silva. As a heavy underdog who trash talked the then-best fighter in the world, few gave him a chance against Silva. However, at UFC 117, Sonnen dominated the fight for four-and-a-half rounds until Silva managed to pull off a stunning last-minute submission.
Despite being 39 years of age and out of competition for over two years, Sonnen is still interested in competing if he can get licensed later this fall.
“I definitely have that itch,” Sonnen said. “I fantasize about it. But it’s one step at a time. I’m not holding back from you. I’m not acting like my return is some kind of breaking news. I’d tell it to you right now. But I have to pass this first test, quite frankly. It’s still out there. I’ve gotta pass it. If I pass that, I’ll pass all of them. But I have to know that everything is out.”
And it wouldn’t be a Chael Sonnen interview without a bit of embellishment about his past.
“I dominated middleweight. There has never been a middleweight like me. The next closest guy is Anderson Silva. I’ve got two 10-8 rounds against Anderson Silva. That’s just the truth. I have no equal at middleweight.”
He may think he’s the best middleweight in the world, but he’s well aware that his biggest challenge lies outside of the Octagon fighting the United States Anti-Doping Agency.
