Chael Sonnen is one of the most polarizing figures that mixed martial arts has ever known. Between his overworked gift of gab, his money laundering scandal and his role in the testosterone epidemic that plagues MMA, there is no question that his place in history has already been created.
After being appointed as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter against UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, Sonnen is once again on the minds of every fan. At the end of the season, the two coaches will do battle for the big gold belt that has long eluded Sonnen.
With an official 0-2 record in the division, the Oregonian’s appointment as the top contender has rubbed many the wrong way.
Fans and MMA pundits alike have claimed that Sonnen getting a title shot denigrates the belt and makes our sport seem more like pro wrestling in the fact that a well-timed promo earns title shots more effectively than actually earning them in the cage.
Sonnen is far from being the first man to get an undeserved crack at the belt. Here is a look at 10 fighters who were given undeserved title shots.