Chael to Return...to Bellator

[REDDzone]

Whoa, did not expect that.

http://www.foxsports.com/buzzer/story/chael-sonnen-exits-the-ufc-and-signs-multi-fight-deal-with-bellator-091516

[Bernman]

Just was going to post about that, but you scooped me.

Didn't know his suspension was up or that he could ever realistically return. No idea what to expect at this point without the peds. He needs them or he'll fall into a deep, deep depression, and start lactating, or whatever it was his mom said. I get my ped user and their reps' excuse stories mixed up.

Apparently Bellator poached him. He can try to make a run at a title, certainly in Bellator's 185 lb division. It's their weakest, outside hw. There isn't a lot there.

This strategy works alright for Bellator, until it goes horribly for them in the end. On the stock market, do you buy falling stock, or rising ones? It'll draw some eyes, but they should start using guys like this to present the show, not be the show themselves. Then moves like this would actually be loss leaders, although not necessarily in the quantity they're making them these days.

[Jasen777]

Does Bellator have any middleweights worth pushing? Maybe give Sonnen to King Mo?

[Susan]

Chael can sell fights. Great move.

[REDDzone]

I'm assuming he will be fighting at 205, not 185.

Chael vs Tito is a huge fight for them ratings wise, regardless of how little substance there is behind that terrible fight.

[Bernman]

He hasn't had any horse meat in years.

Actually, come to think of it, now that he's Bellator he'll have USADA off his ass. That could be one motivation for choosing Bellator, the reduced restriction.

[CPT]

Is anyone really stoked to see 39 year old non-PED Sonnen fight in Bellator?

Would legit be more excited if they just signed him to be a full time commentator. I expect he'll be used in that capacity sometimes though.

[Jasen777]

Is anyone really stoked to see 39 year old non-PED Sonnen fight in Bellator?

I'm doubtful we get non-PED Sonnen. Still don't care much though.

[REDDzone]

Oh man, I just thought....Wanderlei. Is that a possibility?

[NZB2323]

Oh man, I just thought....Wanderlei. Is that a possibility?

I was just going to post this. Ratings wise it would do well.

[Bernman]

Shael-Wanderlei on paper is one of the more boring fights you could make with Wanderlei, though. Shael would just try to take him down and then implement a vanilla top game.

Ratings'-wise, Wanderlei-name brawler or top flight Bellator original striker should draw, while leaving people more satisfied, and if the Bellator original won they could build their name off him. Shlemenko vs. Wand is the fight of the people.

Shael could fight any number of guys between 205 and 185, depending on your approach with him, if you want to build another guy off his name, or sell a fight. I would like to see Lins beat him up, personally. He can take roids. I don't think it matters. Otherwise he and Mo would match up pretty well, and you know he'd get Mo's panties in a bunch.

[ShowtimeFan]

BELLATOR: Where washed-up and average UFC fighters can go to be important again...!

(And I am fine with that, as I never pay for any MMA fights)

[Cammo101]

Best 185er in Bellator by a wide margin IMO. That says more about Belltor's Middleweight division than Chael.

[lilfishi22]

I wouldn't mind Tito v Shael. The pre-fight build up would probably deliver more excitement than the actual fight though.

[Hilltop]

Wanderlei is fighting Cro Cop in December