Retired UFC fighter Chael Sonnen is set to bring his larger than life personality to mainstream TV as he’s just been announced as a contest on the next season of ‘Celebrity Apprentice’.
The NBC show, which was formerly hosted by current presidential hopeful Donald Trump but is now helmed by Arnold Scwharzenegger, is also expected to feature a total of 16 celebs including 80’s pop star Boy George, Motley Crue front man Vince Neil, reality TV stars ‘Snooki’ and Kyle Richards, plus retired female boxing champion Laila Ali among others.
Sonnen was one of the most colorful characters ever in the UFC, arguably second only to current featherweight champion Conor McGregor in terms of his ability to hype up a fight.
The 38 year-old is also no stranger to controversy, having been suspended for elevated levels of testosterone following an unsuccessful title shot against Anderson Silva in 2010, then also narrowly avoided serving time behind bars after pleading guilty to money laundering charges related to mortgage fraud from his time as a realtor in Oregon several years before.
Sonnen’s troubles didn’t end there as in 2014 he tested positive for the illegal drugs HGH and EPO, leading to a two year suspension which resulted in him announcing his retirement from the sport.
The UFC and FOX cut ties with Sonnen after that, but he’s since worked his way back into the media and currently serves as an analyst for ESPN in addition to providing color commentary for the World Series Of Fighting organization in addition to hosting his own popular MMA podcast, ‘You’re Welcome!’.
Check out the full cast for the upcoming season of Celebrity Apprentice below.
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Laila Ali, retired boxing world champion and daughter of Muhammad Ali
Brooke Burke-Charvet, actress, TV host and CEO of ModernMom.com
Eric Dickerson, pro football hall of fame running back
Boy George, Grammy-winning singer
Matt Iseman, America Ninja Warrior host
Carrie Keagan, actress, writer and former host of VH1’s Big Morning Buzz Live with Carrie Keagan
Carson Kressley, Emmy-winning reality TV fixture and celebrity stylist
Lisa Leslie, four-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion
Jon Lovitz, comedian and former Saturday Night Live star
Vince Neil, lead vocalist of Mötley Crüe
Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, former star of Jersey Shore
Kyle Richards, actress and star of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Chael Sonnen, former UFC fighter and mixed martial artist
Porsha Williams, singer and star of The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Ricky Williams, Heisman Trophy winner for the University of Texas and ESPN sports analyst
Carnie Wilson, singer and member of Wilson Phillips
