Chael Sonnen announced his retirement from MMA on Wednesday after a 17 year-career.
Sonnen was pulled from UFC 175 on Tuesday after failing a pre-fight drug test for two banned substances: anastrozole and clomiphene.
Sonnen was a trash-talking wrestler who regularly took fights on late notice, much to UFC president Dana White’s delight. Although he didn’t always win, his mouth got him big fights. Sonnen fought for the middleweight title twice against longtime champion and career rival Anderson Silva. He also took on Jones in a short-notice replacement at UFC 159. He fell short in all three title shots.
“I want to take an opportunity to officially announcement my retirement from competitive mixed martial arts,” Sonnen said. “I had a great time.”
The 37-year-old was a regular user of TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), which was deemed illegal by the Nevada State Athletic Commission in February. On “UFC Tonight” on Wednesday, Sonnen said he used the banned substances after the commission outlawed TRT, which he used for hypogonadism, among other medical issues.
“I want to stay within the rules,” Sonnen said. “I don’t fully understand them, and I have to put my health first. I have to put my family first.”