Sonnen’s UFC career “frozen” by White

A day after pleading guilty to money laundering Dana White has “frozen” Chael Sonnen’s UFC contract. According to the report from TMZ Sports, White has suspended Sonnen so that he can get his personal life in order. The suspension comes after unofficial reports that Sonnen was coming back from his 6 month suspension to fight at UFC 128.

According to TMZ Sports, White had the following to say:

“Chael Sonnen has gone through a lot in the last few months and we think it’s important for him to focus on getting his personal life together before focusing on his career in the UFC.” White adds, “I spoke with Chael earlier today and he agrees that setting priorities in his life is the best thing for him right now. I sincerely hope Chael is able to straighten out his personal life.”

MMA Fighting writes that this is the correct decision:

This move comes as a surprise, but it is the correct move for the UFC. As of Monday’s plea deal, Sonnen is a convicted felon. Mainstream American sports leagues simply can’t stand by and do nothing when their athletes are convicted of felonies, and if the UFC wants to be a mainstream American sports league, it needs to discipline its fighters when their actions reflect badly on MMA. The UFC should be commended for this move.

MMA Fighting recieved this statement from Sonnen’s manager:

“Chael Sonnen and the UFC have mutually decided that Chael will take some time off from his fight career to focus on the resolution of some personal issues. Chael looks forward to returning to the octagon in the near future and resuming his quest for the UFC middleweight title”.

Payout Perspective:

This is the second big decision the UFC had this week in which it had to change course. First, after UFC 125, it confirmed that Anthony Pettis would be the next in line to fight Frankie Edgar despite the Edgar/Maynard draw. A couple hours later, the UFC changed its mind and gave Maynard the rematch. Now, a day after word got out that Sonnen would return this March, he plead guilty to money laundering on the same day. Certainly, someone from the UFC should have known that Sonnen’s court date was the same day. As a result, White had to come out and suspend Sonnen which cancels his fight against Yoshiro Akiyama.

The move by the UFC to suspend Sonnen is the correct move from a public relations standpoint. Although most fight fans could care less about his case, MMA Fighting correctly points out that if the UFC intends to be a respected sports league, it must address Sonnen’s out of octagon legal issues. Certainly, if the UFC wants to be on a television network, expand internationally and become legal in New York State, it has to work and govern like the NFL, NBA and MLB. Since Sonnen is one of the top middleweights in the UFC, I’d expect his return pending his sentencing hearing in March. Depending on whether the court agrees with the recommended plea agreement, the UFC will welcome back Sonnen.

Another way to look at it is that Sonnen’s presence on the card would overshadow the highly anticipated matchup between Rashard Evans and Shogun Rua. With all the controversy swirling over Sonnen outside the octagon, it would take away shine from the Evans/Rua title fight.

As for Sonnen’s manager’s statement to MMA Fighting, it is hard to think that Sonnen’s suspension was “mutual”. Once again, it is another spin on the news from someone that is used to spin.