Biography(references)In 1996, Sonnen began training in boxing, with the hope of competing in the UFC upon graduating from high school. After high school, Sonnen attended Brigham Young University before transferring to the University of Oregon in Eugene, when BYU began considering cutting their wrestling program. At Oregon, Sonnen earned All-American honors, was a two-time PAC-10 runner-up, was a silver medalist at the 2000 Greco-Roman World University Championships, and was a two-time Dave Schultz Memorial International Greco-Roman winner. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 2001, with a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology.
Fighter Trivia(references)The couple had their first child, a son named Thero, on June 4, 2015. In 2016, Chael's newborn daughter, Blauna Dian, died. Both Blauna Dian and Chael's wife, Brittany, had contracted listeria.
Awards & Accolades
National Collegiate Athletic Association: NCAA Division I All-American out of University of Oregon (1998)
National Collegiate Athletic Association: NCAA Division I 190 lb – 8th place out of University of Oregon (1998)
National Collegiate Athletic Association: Pac-10 Conference 197 lb – 2nd place out of University of Oregon (1999)
National Collegiate Athletic Association: Pac-10 Conference 197 lb – 2nd place out of University of Oregon (2001)
University National Greco-Roman Championships: 187.25 lb – 3rd place out of University of Oregon (1997)
University National Greco-Roman Championships: 187.25 lb – 2nd place out of University of Oregon (1998)
University National Greco-Roman Championships: 187.25 lb – 1st place out of University of Oregon (1999)
University National Greco-Roman Championships: 187.25 lb – 1st place out of University of Oregon (2000)
University National Greco-Roman Championships: Awarded "Most Outstanding Wrestler" of 2000 tournament
World University Greco-Roman Championships: 187.25 lb – 2nd place (2000)
Senior National Greco-Roman Championships: 187.25 lb – 4th place (2000)
Senior National Greco-Roman Championships: 185 lb – 4th place (2002)
2000 US Greco-Roman Olympic Team Trials: 187.25 lb West Regional Champion
2000 US Greco-Roman Olympic Team Trials: 187.25 lb – 3rd place
US Greco-Roman World Team Trials: 211.75 lb – 4th place (2002)
Dave Schultz Memorial International Greco-Roman: 187.25 lb – 1st place (2000)
Dave Schultz Memorial International Greco-Roman: 213.75 lb – 1st place (2001)
University National Freestyle Championships: 187.25 lb – 5th place out of University of Oregon (1998)
University National Freestyle Championships: 187.25 lb – 3rd place out of University of Oregon (1999)
University National Freestyle Championships: 187.25 lb – 2nd place out of University of Oregon (2000)
UFC: Fight of the Night (Two times) vs. Nate Marquardt and Anderson Silva
UFC: Submission of the Night (One time) vs. Maurício Rua
Bellator MMA: Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix Semifinalist
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