Chael Sonnen – Complete Profile: Height, Weight, Fight Stats

Last updated on July 31st, 2020

Chael Sonnen is one of the biggest UFC trash-talkers of all time. He is a former DangerZone Light Heavyweight Tournament winner, a former Gladiator Light Heavyweight Championship winner, former WEC Middleweight runner-up, two-times former UFC Middleweight runner-up, and former UFC Light Heavyweight runner-up.

Athlete Statistics

Full Name: Chael Patrick Sonnen
Born Name	Nickname	Age & DOB
Chael Patrick Sonnen	The American Gangster The People’s Champ	Chael Sonnen is currently 47 years old according to his/her date of birth April 3, 1977.
Fight Stats	Height	Weight
31 Wins // 17 Losses // 1 Draws	6 ft 1 in or 185 cm	222 lbs (101 kg)
Reach	Fighting Style	Association
73 inches (185 cm)	MMA	Bellator MMA Team: Team Quest
Nationality	Net Worth	Born Place
American	$10 Million	Milwaukie, Oregon, United States

Profile

Chael Sonnen is known for his world-class takedowns and awesome ground game. As a former Greco-Roman competitor, he knows to cling to the opponent like a leech. It is almost impossible to escape his mount or defend his takedown attempts in the clinch.

In the stand-up, Sonnen mostly tries to punch the opponent and knock him down. He has finished most of his fights on the ground. Chael Sonnen is a very strange fighter – he has one of the best submission offenses among all the wrestlers who ever competed in the UFC but his submission defense is critical!

However, The American Gangster is known for trash-talking. There are many names that were called by Sonnen – Anderson Silva, Tito Ortiz, Ronda Rousey, Floyd Mayweather Jr, Conor McGregor… He simply enjoys humiliating, irritating and challenging opponents. You know how is it said – a dog who barks won’t bite. But Chael Sonnen definitively enjoys doing both things at the same time!

The Road To The Top

Chael Sonnen had his MMA debut at Battle Of Fort Vancouver on May 10, 1997, where he defeated Ben Hailey via unanimous decision in the first round. He joined UFC with the score of 15-6-1. He had notable victory over Renato Sobral and a draw against Akihiro Gono but he was defeated by Jeremy Horn two times and Forrest Griffin once.

He earned his fastest victory versus Tim McKenzie at BodogFIGHT: Costa Rica Combat, whom he defeated after only 13 seconds in the first round via D’Arce choke.

Chael Sonnen – UFC Career

Chael Sonnen had his UFC debut at UFC 55 on October 7, 2005, in Uncasville, Connecticut. He was defeated by Renato Sobral via triangle choke in the Light Heavyweight bout.

The People’s Champ cut weight and went to Middleweight division, where he had his second fight at UFC Fight Night 4 on April 6, 2006, where he defeated Trevor Prangley via unanimous decision.

Sonnen had his third fight at UFC 60 on May 27, 2006. Jeremy Horn defeated him for the third time via armbar. After this fight, Sonnen returned to smaller promotions. He earned two notable victories over Paulo Filho and Oleksiy Oliynyk.

Chael Sonnen – Second UFC return

Chael Sonnen returned to the UFC to face Brazilian BJJ specialist, Demian Maia, at UFC 95, on February 21, 2009. Maia won the fight via triangle choke.

The American Gangster then defeated Dan Miller at UFC 98 on May 23, 2009, via unanimous decision.

Chael Sonnen entered as a late replacement for UFC 104 fight with Yushin Okami, whom he defeated via unanimous decision on October 24, 2009. Sonnen did an impossible thing by cutting 36 pounds in only 22 days!

Sonnen then fought Nate Marquardt at UFC 109, on February 6, 2010. After escaping two deep guillotine chokes, the most famous trash-talker won via unanimous decision, and also won his first Fight Of The Night bonus.

Chael Sonnen Vs Anderson Silva – Title Shot

Chael Sonnen fought for the UFC Middleweight championship at UFC 117 on August 7, 2010. Before the fight, Sonnen was throwing heavy trash talk, threatening he will force Silva to retire and put him to sleep. It was also Sonnen’s first main event of the evening.

The American Gangster was leading convincingly after four rounds on the scorecards. In the fifth round, Anderson Silva submitted him via tremendous triangle armbar and won the fight. Both fighters received Fight Of The Night bonuses, and it was later pronounced The Fight Of The Year.

Chael Sonnen – Controversy And Suspension

After testing positive for elevated testosterone levels, CSAC suspended Chael Sonnen for 12 months, and he was fined $2,500. Sonnen issued an appeal, claiming that he had a medical reason for taking testosterone replacement therapy – a hypogonadism diagnose. He also stated that NSAC was informed about his issues before UFC 104 fight with Yushin Okami. His penalty was then reduced from 12 to 6 months.

Chael Sonnen – Third UFC Run

The American Gangster fought at UFC 136 on October 8, 2011, where he defeated Brian Stann via unanimous decision.

Chael Sonnen then faced Michael Bisping at UFC On Fox 2 on January 28, 2012. In the legendary match of two biggest Middleweight division trash-talkers, Sonnen won via unanimous decision.

Chael Sonnen Vs Anderson Silva – Second Title Shot

The two fought at UFC 148 on July 7, 2012, in Las Vegas, Nevada, in the main event of the evening. Sonnen successfully took Anderson Silva down in the first round and landed 76 ground and pound strikes. However, he missed his spinning back fist in the second round, and Silva used it to finish him off with the knee to the body and punches.

Chael Sonnen Vs Jon Jones – Third Title Shot

The American Gangster returned to Light Heavyweight division, where he fought Jon Jones in a title fight at UFC 159 on April 27, 2013, in the main event of the evening. In one of the biggest title mismatches, Jon Jones won via TKO after a tremendous barrage of punches and elbows in the first round.

Jon Jones broke a big toe on his left foot while he was taking Sonnen down. If Chael Sonnen survived the first round, there is a big probability that the doctor would stop the fight.

The People’s Champ then defeated Mauricio Rua via guillotine choke at the main event of UFC Fight Night 26, on August 17, 2013, earning his first Submission Of The Night award.

Rashad Evans defeated Sonnen at UFC 167, on November 16, 2013, via first-round TKO.

Chael Sonnen Vs Wanderlei Silva – Second Suspension And UFC Retirement

Sonnen was coaching The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3 against Wanderlei Silva. The two should face at UFC 175 on July 5, 2014, but Dana White asked the fight to be rescheduled because two angry rivals fought during the filming of the show and Silva hurt his hand. Sonnen took Wanderlei down and punched him few times, while Wanderlei delivered few strong elbows before the fight was stopped.

On June 28, 2014, it was announced that Chael Sonnen had failed the random drug test again and he was removed from the bout! This time, he was positive on human growth hormone, erythropoietin, anastrozole, and human chorionic gonadotropin.

Following the controversy, Chael Sonnen announced retirement in the episode of UFC Tonight on June 11, 2014. NSAC announced on July 23, 2014, that The People’s Champ will be suspended for 2 years from any martial arts competition.

Chael Sonnen – Bellator MMA

Chael Sonnen fought Tito Ortiz at Bellator 170 on January 21, 2017. Ortiz won via first-round submission. However, Sonnen attacked him heavily after his statement related to Chuck Liddell UFC trilogy.

Then he faced Wanderlei Silva at the main event of Bellator NYC on June 24, 2017. Sonnen won his long-time rival via unanimous decision.

In the fight at Bellator 192, on January 20, 2018. Chael Sonnen defeated Rampage Jackson via unanimous decision. However, Rampage Jackson was pretty unhappy with Sonnen’s fighting style.

Chael Sonnen – Podcast

Chael Sonnen is an author of the podcast, a humorous show where he interviews famous MMA studs and legends and speaks his mind. You can find more details here – https://www.podcastone.com/chaelsonnen.