10 Things UFC Wants You To Forget About Chael Sonnen
3. Money Laundering Charge
Like all American Gangsters, Chael Sonnen is also a convicted criminal. In 2011, after his suspension for testing positive for the use of performance enhancing drugs in his first fight fight against Anderson Silva, Sonnen appeared in court charged with money laundering in connection with mortgage fraud. The full details of what actually happened are mostly kept in the dark but Sonnen actually pleaded guilty to this offence. He could have faced up to 20 years behind bars but, due to the fact he was willing to testify against others involved in the scam and he had a very good lawyer, Sonnen was given an extremely reduced sentence of just two years probation and a $10,000 fine. $10,000 sounds like a hell of a lot but its definitely better than 20 years locked up in prison and with the money Sonnen gets from his fights, sponsors, appearances as a pundit and stints on The Ultimate Fighter series, its a small price to pay for freedom. The crime also affected Sonnens chances at furthering his dubious political career after it forced him to pull out of the race for a position in the House of Representatives as the Republican candidate.
Hailing from South East London, Sam Heard is an aspiring writer and recent graduate from the University of Warwick. Sam's favourite things include energy drinks, late nights spent watching the UFC with his girlfriend and annihilating his friends at FIFA.
