Former UFC fighter and Fox Sports analyst Chael Sonnen is heading back into the TV world. He’s joined ESPN as an analyst, according to a report from the AP.
Sonnen will make his ESPN debut on Friday, previewing Saturday night’s UFC 180. He’ll be making frequent appearances on SportsCenter and other ESPN platforms talking MMA. He was suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission this summer after failing two drug tests in three weeks, which lead to his departure from Fox. At Fox, Sonnen was a cohost of UFC Tonight alongside Kenny Florian.
Sonnen’s past with performance enhancing drugs apparently won’t be an issue going forward, and he said that he won’t be dodging the topic if it comes up.
“I wouldn’t shy away from a topic, even if it’s one that brought me shame,” Sonnen said. “There are topics like that, and there are opponents I’m going to have to cover that have also embarrassed themselves, but that’s part of the sport, man. I cherish those moments.”
ESPN’s coverage of MMA has essentially been nonexistent, and bringing in an experienced (and quite frankly, good) analyst like Sonnen immediately helps improve their coverage. Fox simply had to cut ties with Sonnen when they did, and no one can fault them for losing Sonnen to ESPN under the circumstances of his departure. It seems like a win/win situation for everyone involved – Sonnen is back on TV, Fox’s hands are washed of a controversial figure in the sport, and ESPN gets a solid analyst to help bolster their lacking coverage of the UFC.
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About Joe Lucia
I hate your favorite team. I also sort of hate most of my favorite teams.