Chael Sonnen Profile

Portland, Oregon area native Chael Sonnen is one of the most polarizing MMA fighters in the sport. Serious fans respect his toughness, dedication and ability to control a fight. Neophytes that have come to the sport more recently in the wake of the UFC's media onslaught often conflate his 'heel' persona and judge him harshly based on that. Sonnen was a Division 1 NCAA wrestling champion while a student at the University of Oregon and a two time national Greco Roman champion. Sonnen made his MMA debut at age 19 and has been competing steadily ever since.

Sonnen's career had ups and downs as he competed in a variety of MMA organizations around the world. At the same time, he worked full time as a real estate agent in Portland. He lost to Paulo Fihlo in a bout for the WEC middleweight title and didn't have the opportunity to compete for the title in the rematch after Filho missed weight. After losing his UFC debut to BJJ specialist Demian Maia he went on a three fight winning streak that earned him a title shot against middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

Sonnen gave Silva his toughest fight to date and controlled the bout throughout. He would have won an easy decision were it not for a lucky desperation submission that Silva pulled off late in the fight. His arrogant persona, a failed test for performance enhancing drugs and a brush with the law has further vilified him in the eyes of fickle MMA fans who willfully overlook the same behavior from countless other fighters. Sonnen hasn't competed in nearly a year but is scheduled to fight tough Brian Stann at UFC 136 later this year.

Due to his legal transgressions Sonnen has been stripped of his license to practice real estate in Oregon, though he continues to live and train in the suburbs of Portland.