When the Global Fight League (GFL) came knocking, Chael Sonnen wasn’t home to answer the door.
Sonnen has remained a fixture within the MMA community since he retired from active competition in 2019. Whether it’s working as a commentator, broadcast analyst or podcaster, there’s no role too big or small for the outspoken Sonnen to fill.
Though he had past MMA retirements that didn’t stick, Sonnen, 47, has stayed true to his word this time around and remained retired — at least in MMA. “The American Gangster” and his most prominent UFC rival, Anderson Silva, surprised the combat sports world in 2024 when they announced a trilogy bout in an exhibition boxing match. They ultimately went the distance in a fight that more closely resembled a light sparring session than a hotly contested bout, resulting in a draw.
Since then, the MMA world has continued its usual flow of madness, such as the arrival of the new GFL promotion. Considering the many exceptionally seasoned names the roster currently boasts, Sonnen made for a likely recruit.
If that thought crossed your mind, it definitely crossed GFL founder Darren Owen’s, according to Sonnen. However, Sonnen told Uncrowned that he listened to his better judgment and declined the offer.
“Yes, they did [call],” Sonnen said. “In hindsight, maybe I should have said yes. There were signing bonuses. But there’s a point where it’s weird. There’s a point where fighting is really cool, and your buddies will look at you like you’re really cool, and you go to the coffee shop, and they’ll look at you like you’re cool. There’s a point where it’s weird.
“I’ve seen some guys, and I won’t name them, who are 40, who are 41, that fought. I remember thinking, ‘Put your clothes on. You’re taking your shirt off, putting your mouthpiece in, you got no problem with this guy.’ At some point, it’s weird. That’s the reason I said no.
“Whether you’re the greatest of all time or not — which I am — at some point, it’s weird,” Sonnen added. “There’s just a point where you got to stop.”
GFL’s formal introduction with its pre-determined draft took place on Jan. 24. The event probably could’ve gone better overall, despite Owen’s argument that the broadcast blunders helped viewership. From draft board leaks to AI fighters and rap songs, it wasn’t exactly an inspiring first step.
Sonnen was impressed, though. While he has no connection to the upstart promotion, the three-time UFC title challenger has seen his fair share of unique inner workings and attempts at generating buzz within the MMA world. It isn’t easy to stand out in this sport, so despite their introductory mistakes, Sonnen believes the GFL brass may have something to work with — even if he hates to admit it.
“I prefer to be negative. That makes me happy. I prefer to be a critic,” Sonnen said. “I like to break things down. Maybe it could be a movie, or a meal, or a fight promotion. I like to push their face in it like the puppy that missed the paper, and you want to know something? [For] their rollout, where they did that little piece they had for social media where Tyron Woodley came out and he was like this superhero, it was pretty badass from a production standpoint. From trying to find something as simplistic as martial arts and what people already have a level of expectation with, but to separate yourself and make you look different — I thought they pulled it off. It pains me to say because I would love to just [criticize]. I thought for what they’ve done, which is very small so far, they’re off to a good start.
“I thought it popped. I thought it looked good. I sent it to people,” Sonnen continued. “I really did think they pulled it off. You’ve got to understand, they’re brand new, they’re just starting. They got this hell of a roster and it’s such a difficult game. If there’s any business you’re going to go into that takes balls, it’s this one. Because every business is tough, but you are more likely than not to fail in this business space. Everybody does. It is a hard thing to break into.”
The next order of business for “The American Gangster” comes in a familiar role when he coaches opposite his fellow UFC Hall of Famer, Daniel Cormier, on “The Ultimate Fighter 33” in May. Sonnen has coached the longstanding reality television series twice in the past.
Unlike traditional seasons of the series, the retired duo of Sonnen and Cormier won’t fight each other after all is said and done.
According to Sonnen, UFC CEO Dana White liked the concept of both competing in a grappling match, presumably at one of the promotion’s UFC Fight Pass Invitational events. Sonnen was open to the idea, but quickly realized the unique trouble that could cause.
“Dana’s got this new grappling thing, ‘We’re going to have you guys fight. There’s nothing that says you can’t grapple,'” Sonnen said. “Dana, please. Don’t make the audience look at that man [Cormier] without a shirt on. You’ve done that to us before. We put our time in. Maybe if you have like a rash guard situation or a singlet, but don’t — and not the beating I would give Daniel. Don’t do that to the audience. They don’t deserve that.”
