'The Bad Guy' seems to return a shock to save an upcoming matchup.
Chael Sonnen has compiled a number of big wins and impressive versions in his career before he retired from MMA in 2019.
The MMA legend went back to the competition last year in the competition with a boxing match for exhibition against his former UFC -Rival Anderson Silva.
Although he has not been active for six years now, the 48-year-old has remained a key figure in combat sports and one of the most prominent voices in mixed martial arts.
Now, after Sonen has agreed to a competition in the short term, he seems to place his money where his mouth is by jumping back for a remarkable return.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Chael Sonnen reportedly signed to rematch Craig Jones on CJI 2 on Sunday
This weekend in Las Vegas, BJJ star Craig Jones' game-changing grip promotion, the Craig Jones Invitational, will return for his second event.
The majority of the focus is on a tournament format, which will now use a team format after a few changes made after last year's debut event.
Just like the previous episode, however, Jones would also be in action during the event in a showcase match that would have seen him against Olympic gold medal winner Gable Stever Steveron.
Shortly after Steveson's MMA debut was announced, he withdrew from the Grijp Matchup, who then led to Jones called Chael Sonen.
Sonnen responded with a video on social media where he agreed with the competition, although there was no official announcement to go with it.
Ariel Helwani has now reported that Jones versus Sonnen was signed for the Sunday of CJI 2, where the former UFC star still works the day before on the debut Real American Freestyle Wrestling event.
Craig Jones vs. Chael P. Sonnen was signed on Sunday for CJI 2, say sources. Sonnen replaces Gable Steveson.
Chael will call the first real American Freestyle Wrestling event in Cleveland on Sunday, early on Sunday AM flight to Vegas to fight Jones in the evening.
Jones … pic.twitter.com/28PG74MQUT
– Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) 28 August 2025
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Chael Sonnen will want to avenge his earlier loss against Craig Jones during the CJI 2 of this weekend
Chael Sonnen and Craig Jones are not only two of the greatest personalities in combat sports, they are also former opponents.
The last submission match in which Sonen participated was against the Australian star in 2017.
They were confronted with the ADCC Absolute Division in Finland, where Jones appeared as a victor and beat the UFC legend through the heel hook.
Beating Jones in a rematch in such a short term is certainly a big assignment for Sonnen this weekend in Las Vegas.