Sonnen's new contract, weight class

BY foxsports • July 23, 2013

Chael Sonnen signed a five-fight deal and he’s not just going to stick at light heavyweight.

“I’ve moved to Southern California and am training at Reign with Mark Munoz. My new contract, which is a five-fight deal, was finalized today.”

Sonnen said on UFC Tonight Tuesday that he would drop down to middleweight after he upends Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. It’s not just a desire to go down a weight division, but Sonnen added the contract requires him to move down.

“I’ll return to middleweight after beating Shogun. There’re two guys I want to get matched up with: Vitor Belfort, because he’s awesome and he’s on an incredible roll. And Wanderlei Silva, who I’ve heard is going back to middleweight. The landscape has completely changed. I’ve got a new contract and I’m returning to the weight class.”

Wanderlei had some interesting thoughts on the matter.

I guarantee that @ShogunRua will retire @Sonnench in their fight on @FOXSports1. @wandfc according to @arielhelwani
— UFC Tonight (@UFCTonight) July 24, 2013

Sonnen faces Rua at the UFC debut on FOX Sports 1 on Aug. 17.

Sonnen, 36, has lost his prior two fights, the last at light heavyweight as champ Jon Jones beat Sonnen by TKO (elbows and punches) at UFC 159 in April. His last fight at middleweight was against then-champ Anderson Silva at UFC 148 in July 2012; Silva won by route of a second-round TKO.

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