2. Chael Sonnen's 2014 Drug Test Failures, Retirement, And Firing
Jeff Chiu/AP/Press Association ImagesSummer 2014 was a rough one for Chael Sonnen. After a successful coaching stint on TUF Brazil 3 where he won over the Brazilian fans, with a lucrative FOX Sports broadcasting position on the side, Sonnen was forced to transition off TRT after it was banned by the NSAC. Expected to fight Wanderlei Silva at UFC 175, his opponent was switched to Vitor Belfort when Silva dodged a drug test. Sonnen mocked Silva for running from the test, then had to eat a healthy serving of crow when he failed a drug test of his own, in late June. Pulled from the UFC 175 card, Sonnen announced his retirement, and stated the drug test failure was due to substances used to transition off TRT, and treat an infertility issue. He also announced his wife was pregnant. It seemed like Sonnen would actually walk out of the situation a winner. He had a baby on the way, a spot with FOX Sports, and legend status in the UFC - mostly due to his ability on the mic, the fight of his life in a last-round loss to Anderson Silva, and wins over the likes of Shogun Rua, Brian Stann, and Michael Bisping. Then it was announced he had failed a second test. The UFC and FOX turned on him, firing him from his broadcast duties. While no doubt a face-saving move, and a bit odd considering a second test failure was a given since he failed the first test (after all, drugs take time to clear your system), it was still a huge black mark for the UFC. You can expect Sonnen to land on his feet. He's laying low for the time being, but Sonnen has a knack for surviving, and you can never count him out. However, all this came just weeks after Dana White suggested Sonnen could one day run the UFC - making him look, in hindsight, rather silly.