On August 17, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 26, Chael Sonnen competed at light heavyweight and submitted Mauricio “Shogun” Rua via guillotine choke. The win has presented Sonnen with a plethora of options. He could transition to a new phase of his career and remain a permanent fixture of the 205-pound division. Sonnen’s other option would be to return to the middleweight division—the one in which he has gained the most fame.
At 36 years old, however, it would behoove the former NCAA Division I All-American wrestler to finish his career at middleweight. Following his dramatic and much-needed victory over Rua, some of mixed martial arts’ biggest names expressed interest in fighting the “American Gangster,” including Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva.
Sonnen’s options at middleweight far outweigh those at light heavyweight. The former grants Sonnen the opportunity to capitalize off certain fights and possibly contend for another championship title.