Chael Sonnen Net Worth

Chael Sonnen, a retired American mixed martial artist, boasts a net worth of $4 million. Sonnen began his MMA career in 1997, swiftly climbing the ranks in the UFC’s light heavyweight and middleweight divisions. Beyond the UFC, he competed in the WEC, Pancrase, and Bellator MMA. Despite never clinching a UFC Championship, Sonnen is regarded as one of the top fighters to have ever entered the octagon. Throughout his career, he defeated notable fighters such as Michael Bisping, Wanderlei Silva, and Quinton Jackson. Known for his trash-talking prowess, Sonnen transitioned to an MMA analyst role for ESPN in 2014 and later founded his own wrestling promotion.

Early Life

Chael Patrick Sonnen was born on April 3, 1977, in Oregon. Raised in a Catholic household with German roots, Sonnen developed an early interest in wrestling, beginning serious training at age nine. During high school, he was a state championship runner-up and later branched into boxing in the 90s, eyeing a career in mixed martial arts. After high school, Sonnen attended Brigham Young University but transferred to the University of Oregon when BYU cut its wrestling program. At the University of Oregon, he excelled on the wrestling team and graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology.

Chael Sonnen Career

Initially considering a professional wrestling career, Sonnen was destined for MMA. By his late teens, he was winning tournaments, starting his professional career with six consecutive victories before a loss to Trevor Prangley. In 2003, he also lost to future UFC star Forrest Griffin. Despite these setbacks, Sonnen joined the UFC in 2005, competing in UFC 55 against Renato Sobral. Although he lost, he rebounded with a victory against Prangley. However, after a loss to Jeremy Horn, the UFC released him from his contract.

Sonnen then moved to Bodog Fight, securing wins against fighters like Tim Credeur and Alexey Oleinik. He later joined World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), facing Paulo Filho and Bryan Baker, resulting in a loss and a win, respectively.

Sonnen’s success in the WEC led to a return to the UFC, though his initial comeback saw a loss to Demian Maia. He soon redeemed himself with victories over Dan Miller, Yushin Okami, and Nate Marquardt, becoming the top contender for the middleweight championship.

In 2010, Sonnen faced Anderson Silva for the championship. Despite leading in points, he lost to Silva via a triangle armbar. His reputation took a hit when his testosterone levels were found to be 17 times higher than normal, resulting in fines and suspensions. Sonnen’s appeal, citing testosterone treatments for hypogonadism, was unsuccessful. Additionally, he faced an indefinite suspension due to a money-laundering incident.

Also Read: Cecily Strong Net Worth

Returning to the UFC in 2011, Sonnen defeated Brian Stann and Michael Bisping but lost again to Silva. In 2012, he transitioned to light heavyweight, coached “The Ultimate Fighter 17,” and faced further losses, including one to Jon Jones. After failing a drug test, Sonnen announced his retirement from MMA in 2014. His attempts to become a UFC analyst ended when Fox Sports terminated his contract due to multiple failed drug tests. He later joined Bellator MMA, retiring in 2019 after a loss to Lyoto Machida.

Legal Issues

In 2011, Sonnen pleaded guilty to money laundering, related to a 2006 real estate deal involving $70,000. He was sentenced to two years of probation and fined $10,000. In 2012, Sonnen opened a pizza restaurant in Oregon but faced a lawsuit from his business partner for embezzlement and counter-sued for defamation and unpaid wages. The case was settled out of court, and Sonnen sold the restaurant in 2014.

Chael Sonnen Relationships

Chael Sonnen married Brittany in 2013, and the couple had two children. Tragically, their second child passed away at a young age.

Chael Sonnen Net Worth

Chael Sonnen net worth is $4 million.