Chael Sonnen’s next pursuit has ties to his roots as an athlete.
The UFC Hall of Famer will serve as a commentator for Hulk Hogan-fronted Real American Freestyle wrestling league, as announced in a press release this week.
The upstart brand, which looks to give freestyle wrestlers a chance to compete at the pro level, is planning to host their first-ever event this August in Cleveland, Ohio.
While Sonnen is best known for his nearly 50-fight MMA career, which spanned decades and included high-profile runs in both the UFC and Bellator, he also has a notable background in wrestling.
Sonnen earned a folkstyle wrestling silver medal at the Pac-10 Championships in 1999 and 2001, representing Oregon State University. He also placed second in the 2000 World University Championships for Greco-Roman wrestling.
Sonnen has become a pundit in combat sports following his career as a competitor, having a large presence on social media and appearing infrequently as part of UFC broadcasts.
Hogan announced Real American Freestyle earlier this year alongside Eric Bischoff and Izzy Martinez. The new sports league is still searching for a broadcast deal amid their launch later this year, as stated in a recent interview on The Ariel Helwani Show.
They have already signed some notable talents onto their roster ahead of a debut event, including Kennedy Blades and Ben Askren.
