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Chael Sonnen talks about the fan backlash on UFC 248’s headliner fight between Israel Adesanya and Yoel Romero.
Most fans who saw UFC 248’s headliner between Israel Adesanya and Yoel Romero unfold were left unsatisfied. Most gripes were about the lack of action from what was expected to be an interesting matchup between two elite 185-pounders.
As he does so often, analyst Chael Sonnen offered his take. For him, the unwelcome stigma on the fight is more because of the fans.
“As MMA fans, we have been spoiled beyond belief,” Sonnen said in a recent video he released on his YouTube channel (transcript by BJPenn.com). “We have been treated to high-paced, high-action fights, so when one of them isn’t what we expected with the pace and the action, I realize how that is surprising.
“But it’s on par for other sports. Sometimes things happen that aren’t what you expected to happen—which is a nice of saying dull and not a whole lot of action.”
Top middleweight contender Paulo Costa is likely the next in line to challenge Adesanya for the title. Sonnen already has high expectations, based on how “Borrachinha” is as a fighter.
“When you’re talking about Paulo Costa, all the makings of an exciting fight are there,” he said. “Adesanya is a very fun, very exciting fighter. He had one weird night that he was fifty percent. Paulo Costa has had zero bad nights that he’s ever been a part of. Everything about him is fun.
“You put those two guys together, you have a very reasonable expectation that something entertaining and action-packed is going to take place.”
Costa went on to lambast Adesanya’s performance, while calling him the “most shameful champion” he’s ever seen.