UFC embraces Sonnen, looks like he?ll return in Texas against Stann

After all the commission drama, we know where the UFC stands on Chael Sonnen and licensing issues.

Heavy.com and MMAjunkie are reporting that Sonnen will face Brian Stann at UFC 136 in Houston. The wrestler vs. striker matchup will be the lead-in to what could be a mega-card.

His spot in California purgatory expired at the end of June. A few days later, he was featured in a video on UFC.com speaking about the Wanderlei Silva-Chris Leben fight and now it looks like the controversial Sonnen is due to return to the Octagon in October.

It's unclear if Sonnen will ever return to California to have his license re-instated. In the meantime there's always Texas, the new home for fighters banned by the Golden State. Antonio Margarito spurned California by landing the Manny Pacquiao fight in Dallas and MMA's Josh Barnett just did the same so by fighting Brett Rogers in Big D.

Two title matchups have been rumored for Oct. 8. If Gray Maynard can get cleared, his trilogy fight with UFC lightweight champ Frank Edgar could go down. Health is also a concern for Jose Aldo. If the 145-pound champ is over his back issues, Aldo may face Kenny Florian. The UFC is also planning a fan expo around the Oct. 8 card.

It'll be interesting to see how Sonnen handles the lead up to the fight. Could he possibly come up with an angle to trash the Iraq-war veteran Stann?

Do you like the matchup? The first comment on UFC.com's story trashed the fight.

Tim Daraitis- This fight makes no sense stylistically, for marketing, or to advance either to a better spot. Stylistically, Stann's wrestling defense isn't the best, and Chael will have an easy fight. For marketing, the UFC needs Sonnen to trash talk, which he shouldn't/can't do against American Hero Brian Stann. Both fighters won't advance because what does either beating the other prove? Odds makers will undoubtedly make this another -600 Chael to +400 Stann or something ridiculous, like they do with other bad matchups.

Matt Hamill Volk Han Joachim Hansen Antoni Hardonk Dan Hardy