· UFC Middleweight Chael Sonnen Pleads Guilty To Money Laundering

It has certainly been a rough six months for former UFC No. 1 contender Chael Sonnen (24-11-1, 4-4 UFC).

After losing a middleweight championship fight to Anderson Silva at UFC 117 in August that he dominated for four-plus rounds, Sonnen was suspended by the California State Athletic Commission for having high levels of testosterone show up in his drug test. Originally slated for a rematch with Silva in February, the UFC instead canceled that fight when Sonnen was suspended for a year by the CSAC.

The same commission voted to reduce Sonnen's suspension to six months in February, based mainly on the fact that he claimed an exemption in Nevada.

Sonnen, who holds a realtor's license in Oregon, pleaded guilty on Monday to a charge of laundering money, according to a press release from the U.S. District Attorney in Oregon. The charge comes with a potential of 20 years in prison and up to $500,000 in fines. According to the release, Sonnen conducted a transaction where that was "designed to conceal or disguise the ownership and control of the proceeds of wire fraud."

Because he pleaded guilty, Sonnen likely faces a lesser sentence. Some outlets are reporting that his sentence will be a two-year probation, a $10,000 fine, and the revocation of his realtor's license. His sentencing is scheduled for March 28.

Sonnen was also running for a seat in the Oregon House of Representatives last year, but he pulled out of the race due to a pending legal issue that he had to resolve, he said at the time. His replacement nomination by the Republican Party eventually won the election.

The news of the guilty plea also comes with news that Sonnen has been scheduled to return to the UFC at UFC 128 against Yoshihiro Akiyama on March 19, just days before he is scheduled to receive sentencing in court. It is unknown whether his legal troubles will affect Sonnen's return to the UFC.