Chael Sonnen’s retirement from MMA hasn’t exactly been silent. After the former UFC light heavyweight was suspended for two years by the Nevada Athletic Commission in July for testing positive for multiple banned substances, Sonnen is enjoying the opportunity to break down the fourth wall.
After explaining how he ‘tried to game the system’ on professional wrestler Chris Jericho’s podcast, Sonnen did another candid interview with Jason Bryant of the Short Time Wrestling Podcast.
Asked about the creation of his heel persona, Sonnen explained how he learned to embrace the role in 2011 when he plead guilty to federal money laundering charges while also testing positive for elevated testosterone levels following his UFC 117 loss to Anderson Silva.
“I got hit with a PED charge and a criminal charge in the same month,” said Sonnen. “The whole ‘silly me’ defense is a pretty good one. When you go, ‘Listen, I didn’t know. I didn’t know the rules.’ That works. That’s a good, solid defense. One time. I needed it twice in the same month. So I just knew I was beat. As far as a PR standpoint goes, this is a disaster. Anybody in politics will tell you that when there’s a problem you steer into it, so I came out of that mess and I just came out and said, ‘Yea, I’m a gangster. This is the life. This is what gangsters do.’
“Before I knew it they were making t-shirts that said ‘American Gangster’ on it. It became the No. 2 selling t-shirt of all time for Tapout. People just started going into it. I just kept going with it, too. ‘This is nothing. These are just the things I was caught for. You should hear what I got away with.’ I started going really hard into it. Yea, it was a lot of fun and it did turn it around.”
Sonnen then laid out his keys to masterfully turning heel.
“Whenever you can evoke a strong emotion and want somebody to tune in, whether it’s to see you win or get beat up, and I’ve been on both sides of that, it’s a win,” said Sonnen. “What you don’t want is for somebody to not care. Whenever they have no feeling at all, that’s bad. Even if they kind of like you or they kind of don’t, that’s also bad. It’s got to be a strong emotion one way or the other.
“For me, I prefer to be the heel. I just have always preferred to incite them and make them angry. I had death threats in Brazil, but if you’re a heel, this is a major win. What’s stronger than that? It’s always fun for me. One thing I picked up on was that nobody else wanted that. If you’re up there competing for popularity, well, everybody wants to be liked. Everyone wants to be patted on the back. Now you’re competing with everybody. If you go to the other end of the pool, you can have the water all to yourself. I became the biggest heel in MMA and possibly in sports kind of by just swimming down there and saying, ‘Well, I want to be down here.’ If I could do it over again, I’d definitely chose the same route. I might have laid it on a bit thicker at times but I would never go back.”
Sonnen was asked if he believed he’d ever step into the Octagon with Wanderlei Silva, the man he coached opposite on ‘The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3.’
“I don’t think Wanderlei and I will ever cross paths. We’re both in timeout right now. The kids that I like most in school were the ones I met right outside the principal’s office, so as far as Wanderlei goes he’s actually earned points with me. When we were both eligible, I couldn’t get him in the ring so I can’t imagine that anything like that ever happens. I don’t think so.”
With his fighting future in doubt, Sonnen remarked on his recent experience competing against Andre Galvao at Metamoris 4 in August.
“I took on a nine-time world champion, and I had never done this before,” said Sonnen. “It was my first time, he’s won the Worlds nine times. We both knew how this movie was going to end before the opening credits ever rolled, but I don’t think that’s a reason to not do something. It’s more of a reason to go out, compete and have some fun. It was a big chance for me to learn some new stuff. To just focus on Jiu Jitsu or grappling and pick up some new techniques. I’d love to do it again.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
‘Heavyweights are afraid of Nate Diaz.’ Gilbert Melendez brought Nate Diaz to TUF to intimidate Anthony Pettis. ‘I brought Nate out, [Pettis] brought 10 dudes.’
No hiding. Alexander Gustafsson is now open to fighting Anthony Johnson. ‘I can’t wait to sign the bout agreement my friend and show you what Battlefield feels like.’
Predictions. Luke Thomas gives his picks for UFC Fight Night: Jacare vs. Mousasi.
Free man. A Florida judge has dropped all charges levied against Thiago Silva stemming from the alleged altercation with his estranged wife.
150. Charles Oliveira blames missing weight on a viral infection. ‘I think it was a viral infection. But I was the one who asked for this fight, so I couldn’t withdraw.’
MEDIA STEW
UFC Fight Night: Jacare vs. Mousasi weigh-in highlights. (full weigh-ins here)
Alexander Gustafsson talks fighting Anthony Johnson.
Quick preview for Bellator 123.
Joe Lauzon vlog episode 3.
TMZ made it less than a minute before asking the TUF 20 cast about sex.
Bruce Buffer calls a Neymar goal, makes you a new ringtone.
Friday overload.
Bellator 123 Pre Fight Interview: Scott Coker
…
Invicta 8: Tara LaRosa and Roxanne Modafferi face-off before their fight
…
Robbie Lawler on Johny Hendricks Rematch- ‘I Know I’m Going to Stop Him’
TWEETS
MR factor is strong.
@AlexTheMauler thank you for accepting this fight. Much respect first and foremost now let’s give the fans what… http://t.co/0NAzCgaDyi
— Anthony Johnson (@Anthony_Rumble) September 4, 2014
Beef.
@JohnyHendricks don’t get confused about your power. You knocked out 2 old guys with no chin, you don’t even hit that hard. Don’t be scared
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) September 4, 2014
Good.
Signing my fight contract for December 6th… Time to silence the critics!!! #teampettis #tuf20… http://t.co/f8PCqNvVwG
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) September 4, 2014
Damn.
I just heard Olivera missed weight by like….a Brazilian pounds
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) September 4, 2014
CONGRATS @NikLentz on weighing in at the contract weight of 146lbs like a PROFESSIONAL & unlike his opponent! @ufc @joerogan
— Mike DOLCE (@TheDolceDiet) September 4, 2014
Eh?
If the #3 guy is scared & doesn’t want to fight me does that make me #3 ?? #ranking #problems @danawhite @ufc @TWooodley
— Hector Lombard (@HectorLombard) September 4, 2014
Get well soon.
2 breaks 3 surgeries and now an infection lol … This was 8 days ago and I’m all better now. I had… http://t.co/YlkKA4m09H
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) September 4, 2014
Cool.
Packing for Afghanistan AFE tour. Got all these @dudewipes in the mail to take to the troops. Great… http://t.co/LrnfzrjY1P
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) September 4, 2014
Congrats.
The face of BJJ just got his purple belt. http://t.co/gLzG6suU8y pic.twitter.com/bcR1m4Fmtw
— chael sonnen (@sonnench) September 5, 2014
Blue today. Brown by METAMORIS in May. Black by Abu Dhabi in Sept. http://t.co/2EjIp7dXC3 pic.twitter.com/yyyltZGhHi
— chael sonnen (@sonnench) September 5, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Sept. 4 2014)
Daron Cruickshank vs. Anthony Njokuani at UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine
Fabio Maldonado vs. Hans Stringer at UFC 179
John Lineker vs. Ian McCall at UFC Fight Night: Uberlandia
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via MrBrutality.
Mr. Brutality’s Bold Predictions for a Decade of UFC
Greetings MMAFighting – you heard it here first. Welcome to my bold predictions for the hottest UFC topic of each year for the next DECADE! Let us begin:
In the year 2015:
A Rowdy RetirementRonda-rousey-crying_medium
Ronda Rousey will suffer a devastating training injury at the end of the year 2015. Rather than sitting out, she will opt to retire to Hollywood stardom and will never fight professionally again. She will remain undefeated, and will have never stepped into the cage against Ms. Cyborg.
…
Check out the rest of the post here.
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