On June 14th, 2019, Chael P. Sonnen announced his retirement from professional mixed martial arts. This decision sent shockwaves through MMA news platforms and social media. Articles were written, opinions were shared, and the ever-present controversy that surrounded the second half of Sonnen’s career did anything but wane.
But Chael Sonnen has thrived on chaos for many years. Outspoken and brash, Sonnen visibly enjoyed the tumultuous reactions his mouthy façade catalyzed time and time again. But there’s one thing in the fight game that clearly meant more to him than being a heel—the love of competition.