UPDATED: Chael Sonnen signs multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA

The Bad Guy is back. 39-year-old former 3-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen (29-14-1) has signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA. The Associated Press broke the news of the signing just moments ago.

The Rulers Back.

— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) September 16, 2016

Sonnen retired from the sport back in the summer of 2014 before news came to light of a failed drug test, the third of his UFC career, weeks later. During his 11-fight tenure with the UFC, Sonnen fought at both 185 lbs and 205 lbs, earning noteable wins over the likes of Mauricio’ Shogun’ Rua, Nate Marquardt, Yushin Okami, the now retired Brian Stann and current middleweight champion Michael Bisping.

Sonnen told the AP that he will fight any fighter at any weight when he begins the next chapter of his career in Bellator. Expect Sonnen to appear on SPIKE TV tomorrow night during Bellator 161 ‘Kongo vs. Johnson’ out of Austin, Texas.

UPDATE: Multiple sources have confirmed that Sonnen wants “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz (18-12-1) in November for his first fight with his new promotion.

I asked Chael Sonnen when and who he wants to fight first with Bellator: "The Bad Boy vs the Bad Guy in November, and that's a quote."

— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) September 16, 2016

Bellator currently has three fight cards lined up for November. Bellator 163 is the most likely landing spot for ‘Ortiz vs. Sonnen’ due the the card being listed on Bellator’s website as ‘TBA vs. TBA’. That card will take place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT on November 4th. Bellator 164 ‘Koreshkov vs. Lima’ is scheduled to take place on November 10th in Tel Aviv while Bellator 165 ‘Chandler vs. Henderson’ is set for November 19th in San Jose.