Chael Sonnen may be the “People’s Champ” and the “West Linn Gangster,” but at the beginning of each day, he puts on a pair of pants just like everyone else.
For the past two years, fans have questioned the legitimacy of Sonnen’s wise-cracking persona.
Does he truly believe everything that comes out of his own mouth, or is he merely a talented promo artist who missed his boat in the world of professional wrestling?
In a must-see interview, Sonnen joined UFC commentator Joe Rogan on “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast to talk about random, interesting topics and his upcoming championship rematch with Anderson Silva.
He also gave fans a rare look into what went through his mind in the first fight back in August 2010, when he was submitted by Silva in the waning minutes of the final round.
“It was devastating. I had no idea what was happening in that fight, none. When the fight was over, I was devastated. I came to, and I said to the ref, you know the typical thing like a doofus, ‘What happened?’ The referee, Josh Rosenthal, is a fantastic referee, simply says, ‘You tapped out.’ And he looks at me for a response like I was going to argue, and I simply say, ‘I believe you.'”
It was hard for anyone to believe. After four-and-a-half rounds of dominating perhaps the greatest fighter of all time, Sonnen found himself trapped in the same submission hold that has plagued him throughout his career, the triangle choke.
The sheer devastation of an entire dream being crushed with only a minute and fifty seconds left on the clock is incomprehensible to most. All of the countless hours spent training and dedicating one’s self to achieving a lifelong goal. Some would even consider it a tragedy.
“I knew [I tapped out] because ESPN zoomed in on it and showed it. But that’s all I said was, ‘I believe you.’ I remember falling asleep. It’s a very weird experience you know, when you’re actually going to sleep, but you’re trying to stay within reality, and I remember having a dream thinking, ‘Well if I tap, I can get out of this, nah, let’s not tap.’
“The fight was over. I had already tapped. I hit his foot, and I really didn’t fully know what happened. When it was over and I came to, I didn’t fully know what happened. I was trying to figure out what just happened.”
Losing makes humans of us all. No one is perfect. As fans, it’s easy to forget the humanity of those who find the courage to step into the cage.
Sonnen is undoubtedly a confident and talented individual, but no amount of skill frees a person from the binds of human emotion.
For two years, fans have been mesmerized by the “Uncle Chael” routine, which generally consists of classic punch lines and elongated pro wrestling-style promos.
For one night, things changed for Sonnen. The joke was on him. After months of trash talk, he was forced to watch UFC President Dana White wrap the world title back around the waste of his most bitter rival.
“Aside from being choked, don’t forget, I had fatigue issues, I got blood and Vaseline in my eyes, I have exhaustion, I have anxiety. I’m a normal human being. I feel every emotion. So many people say to me, ‘Oh you’re never scared.’ Come on, I’m a human, I feel it all. So, I lose the fight, we got to the back and they bring me the Fight of the Night check. They pay you immediately if you get a bonus. Boom, here’s your check.
“I remember thinking, ‘You gave me this out of sympathy because that was such a boring fight, nothing happened, you gave it out of sympathy, I’ll take it.’ I’m fighting back the tears, I’m just devastated, I’m absolutely devastated by this defeat.”
Second chances in life don’t come around often, but Sonnen has managed to secure one in a highly anticipated rematch with Silva set for July 7.
While he put forth an impressive performance in the first bout, Sonnen hopes to be more prepared mentally this time around. Competing for a world title can be taxing on any individual, even if they are the self-proclaimed “best in the world.”
“The point I’m trying to make is, that is how out of touch I was with what was happening in the ring. At one point, my corner told me it was round five when it was round four or it was round four when it was round three, whatever it was, the corner had the rounds off. I just didn’t fully know what was going on.
“In this next fight, I’d like, as I visualize and plan for it, that’s one of the things, I’d like to be a little more aware and in touch with what’s happening. But it’s hard, it’s hard in the Octagon man. A lot of stuff goes out the window, you get hit, you get kicked, it’s tough. It’s tough to stay focused.”
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