Chael Sonnen has retired from competitive mixed martial arts, per Fox Sports:
BREAKING: UFC fighter Chael Sonnen (@sonnench) just announced his retirement from competitive MMA on @UFCTonight #UFC
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 12, 2014
As Fox Sports' Marc Raimondi reported, Sonnen's retirement comes fresh of the heels of his positive test for banned substances:
Chael Sonnen's recent failed drug test hasn't just led to him being pulled from UFC 175. It will also mark the end of his MMA career.
Sonnen announced his retirement from competition Wednesday on UFC Tonight, one day after news came out that he had tested positive for banned substances and would likely not be able to fight Vitor Belfort on July 6 in Las Vegas. Sonnen has competed in MMA for 17 years, including the last five with the UFC.
On Fox Sports 1's America's Pregame, Sonnen offered a defense of his failed test.
With his opponent off the card, Belfort has nobody to fight, so he will also miss out as well, per Yahoo Sports' Kevin Iole:
Chael Sonnen announces retirement. Also, Vitor Belfort won't fight at UFC 175 given inability of UFC to get him new opponent.
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) June 12, 2014
Sonnen's fight at UFC 175 likely would have been one of his last in the company anyway. At 37 years old and having lost three of his last four fights, the end was near. The failed drug test merely sped up the inevitable.
Sonnen retires with a 28-14 professional career record, according to Sherdog. Although he never won a title, he was never far from the middleweight and light heavyweight championship pictures.
While Sonnen had an impressive UFC career, most fans will remember him for his bombastic and polarizing personality. His bouts with Jon Jones and Anderson Silva are particularly memorable for the way in which he cut pro-wrestling-type promos in order to hype the fight.
Back in April 2013, Deadspin's Tim Marchman went in depth detailing many of the ways Sonnen tried to get under Jones and Silva's skin. As a result, many fans and critics have less than flattering opinions of the fighter, as demonstrated by some harsh words from Sports On Earth's Tomas Rios:
Chael Sonnen may have retired from MMA, but he has inspired future generations of bigoted non-athletes who can't even use steroids right.
— Tomas Rios (@TheTomasRios) June 12, 2014
Whatever your opinion of Sonnen, there's no question that UFC watched one of its biggest stars leave the company on Wednesday. He may not have been the most talented fighter, but his charisma ensured that he remained near the top of most of the cards on which he was featured.
Now the question is, who will fill Sonnen's boots as the most loved/hated fighter in UFC?
