Piano Prodigy Jude Kofie to Headline Project Harmony’s 30th Anniversary Gala
5 days ago
United States Chael Sonnen is a retired mixed martial artist, submission grappling promoter, and combat sports analyst, who has transitioned from a decorated wrestling career to a prominent figure in MMA and media.
FloSports announced an agreement with Chael Sonnen to create Submission Underground, a new submission-only competition.
Sonnen began working as an MMA analyst for ESPN after retiring from fighting.
Matt Lindland began working with Chael Sonnen at West Linn High School, indicating an early association with the MMA gym.
Chael Sonnen discussed the PFL purchasing Bellator on his 'Beyond the Fight' podcast, highlighting his role in analyzing major MMA industry developments.
These brands were mentioned as sponsors for Chael Sonnen's podcast, showcasing his ability to attract multiple sponsors for his media ventures.
cbdMD partnered with Sonnen during the latter part of his career, supporting him in his fighting endeavors.
Sonnen joined Global Force Wrestling (GFW) as an 'expert analyst' for their GFW Amped broadcast team, making a return to professional wrestling in a non-competetive role.
Sonnen signed with the World Series of Fighting to become a member of their broadcast team, starting at WSOF 23.
Upon signing with Bellator MMA to fight, Sonnen also became an analyst and commentator for numerous Bellator events.
Sonnen was hired as the lead commentator for Real American Freestyle in May 2025, further expanding his presence in combat sports broadcasting.
Chael Sonnen was born on April 3, 1977, in Oregon, where he began wrestling at the age of nine. He attended West Linn High School, becoming an Oregon state runner-up, and later continued his wrestling career at the University of Oregon. There, he achieved NCAA Division I All-American honors, was a two-time PAC-10 runner-up, earned a silver medal at the 2000 Greco-Roman World University Championships, and secured two Dave Schultz Memorial International Greco-Roman titles. Sonnen graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology, laying a foundation for a career that would span professional fighting, analysis, and promotion.
Sonnen’s mixed martial arts career began in 1997, competing across various promotions including World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), Pancrase, and most notably the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Bellator MMA. He was known for his competitive spirit and his ability to generate significant interest in his fights through his distinctive verbal style. Across his career, Sonnen challenged for both the UFC Light Heavyweight and Middleweight Championships. He announced his retirement from MMA in 2014 following a second failed drug test, though he later returned to competition with Bellator MMA from 2016 to 2019, culminating in his second retirement.
Beyond his fighting career, Sonnen has made significant contributions to combat sports as an analyst and promoter. In 2014, he began working as an MMA analyst for ESPN, and in 2016, he founded Submission Underground (SUG), his own submission grappling promotion. He has also served as a lead commentator for Real American Freestyle and coached on The Ultimate Fighter. His career has included partnerships with various brands, leveraging his public profile and expertise within the combat sports community.
Curious about our offerings or have inquiries? We're eager to assist!
Just complete the form, and we'll respond promptly.
