Dana White: 'Chael Sonnen will be back as soon as we can make a fight for him'

by Jesse Holland on Jul 1, 2011 5:32 PM EDT in UFC News

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

The UFC middleweight division just got interesting again.

That's because promotion President Dana White today told Inside MMA the former 185-pound number one contender "will be back as soon as we can make a fight for him."

Sonnen was benched by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) back on May 18 after getting pinched for fabricating testimony in a previous hearing earlier this year stemming from his failed drug test at UFC 117 -- not to mention his felony conviction in Oregon for money laundering.

His suspension recently ended on June 29, making him eligible to reapply for his license to fight.

Now it's up to White and UFC matchmaker Joe Silva to put the mouthy ex-Realtor back to work. But against who? Winner of Michael Bisping vs. "Mayhem" Miller? Winner of Chris Leben vs. Wanderlei Silva?

Or perhaps an import from Strikeforce?

Hear more from Dana on Chael's pending return, as well as the difference in punishments between Sonnen and Nate Marquardt, after the jump.

Chael Sonnen needs an opponent. Fantasy matchmakers, let's hear what ya' got.

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Comments

good! cant wait

"ever heard of a tune up? tee hee hee hee
"ah hee hee hee ever heard of a ritual killing? tee hee hee hee"
"i dont get it"
"you gnaw on her face in public like that again and you'll be one tee hee hee hee"

by scott1 on Jul 1, 2011 5:35 PM EDT reply actions

I can wait… i think the winner of Wanderlei vs Silva…

by Ruzh_ on Jul 1, 2011 5:40 PM EDT reply actions

Wanderlei vs Silva?

Current bets:
20$ on Fedor to finish Hendo against ViolentMike.
SigBet with TheGreg on Rampage to beat Jones, his 2 weeks to my 1.

by freenow82 on Jul 1, 2011 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions

he's beating leben and taking on silva for the title, it seems

aww, to be young and a daydreamer again

fedor > gsp > a. silva
it's much more impressive to control a guy like fitch for 5 rounds than it is to beat leites in any fashion. The quality of opposition tells a story as well.

by vhw_ on Jul 1, 2011 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd like Wand

Even if he loses to Leben…

by ~Peregrine on Jul 1, 2011 5:41 PM EDT reply actions

meh.. anyone via triangle

by TigerTD on Jul 1, 2011 5:43 PM EDT reply actions

lol yes

Current bets:
20$ on Fedor to finish Hendo against ViolentMike.
SigBet with TheGreg on Rampage to beat Jones, his 2 weeks to my 1.

by freenow82 on Jul 1, 2011 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Opponent by sub 3rd round.

Current bets:
20$ on Fedor to finish Hendo against ViolentMike.
SigBet with TheGreg on Rampage to beat Jones, his 2 weeks to my 1.

by freenow82 on Jul 1, 2011 5:56 PM EDT reply actions

Can't wait for the cheesey trashtalk.

For someone with his physical shortcomings Chael sure does have balls………..oh wait!

" Its a good thing you look good in that suit, cos that's all you're gonna be doing - wearing a suit."

by dec3ptiKon_ on Jul 1, 2011 6:06 PM EDT reply actions

muñoz

just so he learns what a true wrestler is like.

the barbarian (tim) would make an excellent match but he needs a few more wins before even talking about competing with a former #1 contender.

fedor > gsp > a. silva
it's much more impressive to control a guy like fitch for 5 rounds than it is to beat leites in any fashion. The quality of opposition tells a story as well.

by vhw_ on Jul 1, 2011 6:11 PM EDT reply actions

*mma wrestler is like

sorry, didn’t mean to troll (so harsh)

fedor > gsp > a. silva
it's much more impressive to control a guy like fitch for 5 rounds than it is to beat leites in any fashion. The quality of opposition tells a story as well.

by vhw_ on Jul 1, 2011 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Him vs Munoz is the only thing that comes to my mind

I think Munoz would win

Cut to Middleweight-Shogun, Roy Nelson & Lorenz Larkins

by CharactersAnalysis on Jul 1, 2011 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions

muñoz vs hamill

i mean, his striking is not notch and his power is not there but sonnen’s boxing is serviceable and he’s even a better wrestler than hamill.

though muñoz has evolved since that fight, so who knows, maybe it would be closer than what i first thought

fedor > gsp > a. silva
it's much more impressive to control a guy like fitch for 5 rounds than it is to beat leites in any fashion. The quality of opposition tells a story as well.

by vhw_ on Jul 1, 2011 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions

If I was betting I'd definietly pick Sonnen

Better wrestling and Durable Boxing,He could grind Munoz easily. I just picked Munoz because Munoz has been pretty good since training at Kings MMA. However now that i think about his fight with Okami, I think Chael would tool him,

Cut to Middleweight-Shogun, Roy Nelson & Lorenz Larkins

by CharactersAnalysis on Jul 1, 2011 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't need to watch the video to know why marquardt and sonnen received different punishments

sonnen knows how to sell a fight a LOT better than marquardt and so he makes Dana and Co a lot more money. money is why dana makes decisions. well money and his little temper tantrums/hissy fits.

by I.AM.miSTAKen on Jul 1, 2011 6:16 PM EDT reply actions