Chael Sonnen’s two year suspension from mixed martial arts ends in July of next year, but the 38 year-old has confirmed that he won’t be looking to make a comeback.
“I am not coming back,” Sonnen told Ariel Helwani on The MMA hour show. “I am not putting a toe in the water. I don’t know how to speak any more clear.”
Sonnen announced his retirement from the sport after being handed the 24 month suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission in July of 2014 after testing positive for multiple drugs such as HGH, EPO and hCG prior to a fight that never ended up taking place with his fellow TUF Brazil 3 coach Wanderlei Silva.
Since then Sonnen has looked to forge a new career in broadcasting, starting with his own podcast, ‘You’re Welcome’, then an analyst role at ESPN and most recently adding to that by agreeing to become part of the commentary team for the World Series Of Fighting promotion.
So, Sonnen is still keeping close ties to the sport, but despite the fact that his suspension lifts just in time for UFC 200 next year and ‘The American Gangster’ admitting that he does still get the itch to compete he goes on to state categorically that, “I won’t be back.”
