MMA Chael Sonnen Announces MMA Return; Joins Bellator Roster by Kristine Haugsjaa September 16, 2016 Photo Credit: aroundtheoctagon.com If there’s one thing you can always rely on, it’s Chael Sonnen to keep us on our toes. Since coming off his lengthy Nevada Athletic Commission suspension in August and calling off his retirement, the MMA community has been hanging on every word of ‘The People’s Champ’ for an announcement of his anticipated return. Well here it is. Sonnen is back but to Bellator MMA, not the UFC. Sonnen (29-14-1) confirmed with the Associated Press Thursday night that he signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator for his return, making this the second ex-UFC headliner to cross over to the promotion in 2016. Welterweight and former UFC title challenger Rory MacDonald signed over after his loss to now-title contender Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson in June. Who will the first opponent be for the ‘American Gangster’ under the Bellator banner? MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani posted on Twitter during Sonnen’s media call Friday regarding the announcement that Sonnen stated former TUF Brazil: 3 rival coach Wanderlei Silva and he will be fighting, and sooner than we may think. How many other big names from the UFC will be making the jump over to Bellator? As free agency becomes more popular as contracts run out, this could become a growing trend in the MMA scene. Post Views: 1,022 The following two tabs change content below.BioLatest Posts Kristine Haugsjaa Kristine is a Managing Editor for DoubleGSports.com as well as UFC/MMA Lead Writer. She also hosts a column known as Fighting Words. Latest posts by Kristine Haugsjaa (see all) NJ’s Chookagian makes flyweight debut at UFC Charlotte - November 7, 2017 Fighting Words: Bellator is Giving Hardy the Credit She Deserves - October 20, 2017 Frankie Edgar to face Champion Max Holloway at UFC 218 - October 3, 2017 Boxing’s Amanda Serrano heading to MMA - September 21, 2017 Related TopicsBellator MMAChael Sonnenmmatuf brazillufcwanderlei silva Click to comment You must be logged in to post a comment Login Leave a Reply Cancel replyYou must be logged in to post a comment. Newsletter Subscription Can't Miss Posts! Women in Sports: NHL Network Host, Jackie Redmond by Nicholas Durst | posted on March 4, 2019 Women in Sports: Ariel Epstein, On-Air Host at SportsGrid (VIDEO) by Anthony Paradiso | posted on March 12, 2021 A Conversation with Nancy Newman: “We Are All a Yankee Family” by Elizabeth DiPietro | posted on July 27, 2020 Women in Sports: Podcast Host, New York Riptide Sideline Reporter, Dani Wexelman by Luke Porco | posted on March 3, 2020 Fighting Words: Bellator is Giving Hardy the Credit She Deserves by Kristine Haugsjaa | posted on October 20, 2017 More in MMA The Mockery of A Sport: Paul vs. Askren Jake Paul and Ben Askren are set to fight tonight, and as a fan... The Leverage Game: What’s Going on Between Jon Jones and UFC? After Francis Ngannou knocked out Stipe Miocic, fight fans everywhere were already excited about... Athletes and their “Charitable” Contributions The other day I was watching TV when I saw a commercial for Conor... Should the Holloway vs. Katter fight have been Stopped in the 4th Round? Dana White thought so… In my honest opinion, when it comes to sports there is nothing like watching... Woodley’s First Title Defense at UFC 205 against ‘Wonderboy’ Long Island UFC Lightweight Iaquinta out of UFC 205