Chael Sonnen Retires from MMA; Was He Humilated or Being Rational? [Poll]
After testing positive for two illegal drugs, UFC middleweight Chael Sonnen announced on Wednesday his decision to retire from his mixed martial arts career.
According to Yahoo Sports, Sonnen made the important announcement on UFC Tonight where he is a Fox Sports 1 co-host.
"I want to officially announce my retirement from competitive mixed martial arts," Sonnen said.
He mentioned during the program that he wants to stay within the rules.
"I don't fully understand them, and I have to put my health first. I have to put my family first," Sonnen was quoted as saying.
He also noted that the day will come when he will no longer be a titled fighte, but went on explaining "but I don't ever want there to be a day where I don't have the ability to have the title as parent and father and husband, and my health has got to come first."
In another report by MMA Weekly, the fighter tested positive for anastrozole and clomiphene to treat his hypogonadism condition. Sonnen was included in the random test conducted by the Nevada State Athletic Commission last month, while the fighter was promoting his UFC fight in Las Vegas. Yahoo Sport said he was immediately pulled out from the card.
The player released his side shortly after the dug test results came out. He admitted taking the drugs for his testosterone-replacement therapy. Yahoo said he had a "therapeutic use exemption" for the said treatment before it was banned by the athletic commission.
He told MMA Fighting that his drug use was "medically necessary" as he wants to have his own family someday.
"I have to put my health first. I have to put my family first. If I know what I know now, and I know this is going to work and I'm going to be able to get my wife pregnant and look forward to having a family, I'm going to do the exact same thing 20 more times so it's going to put me out of compliance 20 more times. Let's just stop with that. Let me just remove myself," he told MMA Fighting in an interview.
According to MMA Fighting, Sonnen started wrestling in 1997 and his retirement gives him a record of 28-14-1. He last fought Rashad Evans at UFC 167 where he lost during the first round.
Do you think Sonnen retired because he was humiliated or was his decision rational? Let us know below.