Calling out of work sick nearly five months in advance seems unacceptable in just about any professional circumstance, which is the same way that three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen looks at fighters who pull out of fights.
When longtime rival Antonio Rogerio Nogueira pulled out of his March 8 fight with Alexander Gustafsson, per Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting, “The American Gangster” ripped him a new one on Twitter.
While Sonnen arguably went a little overboard, it is hard to overlook the fact that “Lil’ Nog,” who is 37 years old, has not been durable in recent memory.
The famed Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt has only fought four times since September 2010, although he does boast back-to-back wins over former champions in Tito Ortiz and Rashad Evans.
Additionally, the Brazilian fan favorite has now withdrawn from two fights in a row due to a back injury. He previously pulled out of a rematch with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 161 in June.
Sonnen, always a game competitor, was willing to fill in on just a little over a week’s notice, but he didn’t end up meeting Rua until UFC Fight Night 26 in August.
The Team Reign Training Center fighter won the bout via a first-round guillotine choke.
Sonnen is set to take on Evans in the co-main event of UFC 167 on November 16. Afterward, he will embark on another season of The Ultimate Fighter, this time coaching opposite another rival in Wanderlei Silva.
Therefore, a grudge match between Sonnen and Nogueira doesn’t seem to be in the cards anytime soon.
John Heinis is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA Editor for eDraft.com.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com