Chael Sonnen

“Disgusting” Colby Covington Vows American Justice: I’ll Smash Gilbert Burns for Leaking Uncle Chael’s Number

"Disgusting" Colby Covington Vows American Justice: I’ll Smash Gilbert Burns for Leaking Uncle Chael’s Number Colby Covington is coming to the defense of fellow three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen. ‘The American Gangster’ was…

Colby Covington is coming to the defense of fellow three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen.

‘The American Gangster’ was in Covington’s corner at the UFC’s final event of 2024 in Tampa. Now ‘Chaos’ is ready to return the favor by putting a beating on welterweight standout Gilbert Burns who leaked Sonnen’s number on social media.

In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Sonnen claimed that Burns was retired from the sport. ‘Durinho’ didn’t appreciate the comment and made Sonnen pay by posting his personal phone number on X. As a result, Sonnen received a slew of calls from excited fight fans hoping to have a word with the man from West Linn, Oregon.

While Sonnen took the whole thing in stride, Covington found it to be downright “despicable” and issued a challenge to Burns.

“That’s disgusting, man, that’s despicable, that’s not right man, that’s really messed up,” Covington said. “Now he’s getting tons of people calling him with stupid sh*t and calling him with stupid pranks, it’s a security concern… What are we, in high school? That’s really messed up that Gilbert did that to Uncle Chael.

“I said, ‘Hey Uncle Chael if you want me to handle that inside the Octagon, I will get justice for us, I will get justice on Gilbert’s f*cking face, I will make sure he never shows his face in America ever again, that’s how badly I’d beat him” (h/t Bloody Elbow).

‘Durinho’ Responds to Colby Covington’s Call Out

Burns has since responded to Covington’s call out, agreement to meet him inside the Octagon this spring — assuming ‘Chaos’ actually signs the contract.

“Miami April! Just [sign] the contract! I know you not showing up!” Burns wrote in response.

With Burns sitting as the No. 8 ranked contender in the division and Covington dropping to ninth following his lopsided loss to Joaquin Buckley, a fight between the two makes a lot of sense from a rankings perspective.

Both fighters would also enter the bout in desperate need of a win, adding another interesting wrinkle to their potential showdown.

Why Chael Sonnen Refuses to Get a New Phone After Gilbert Burns Leaked His Number Online

Chael Sonnen, the outspoken former UFC contender and MMA analyst, is making headlines again, this time, for refusing to…

Chael Sonnen, the outspoken former UFC contender and MMA analyst, is making headlines again, this time, for refusing to replace his phone after fellow fighter Gilbert Burns leaked his personal number online. The incident ignited a frenzy in the MMA community.

The drama began when the Brazilian-born MMA athlete Burns shared what he claimed was Sonnen’s phone number on Twitter. In a since-deleted post, Burns wrote, “Still with this number? +1 (***) ***-***. Calling you to see what’s up!” He accused Sonnen of disrespect, citing comments made on Sonnen’s show that implied Burns was “officially retired” from MMA.

Phone Ordeal

While many might have expected Sonnen to immediately replace his phone, the self-proclaimed “Bad Guy” revealed why that’s not an option. In his trademark candid style, Sonnen explained, “I can get another phone; that takes moments to do. As a matter of fact, a guy from Verizon contacted me and said, ‘I saw what Gilbert did. When it’s time for a new phone, just call me directly. I can actually teach you how to do it—you don’t even have to come into the store.’”

However, Sonnen’s decision isn’t about convenience—it’s about security. “Many security agents have a two-factor authentication—I’ve never been able to say that word—authenticate, authentication—which are tied to this number, including, in my case, crypto wallets. So I can’t just do away with this phone,” Sonnen said.

The situation took an intriguing turn when Sonnen reached out to Burns to address the issue. “I spoke to Gilbert, and Gilbert asked me, ‘By the way, why’d you say that?’ And I just answered him: ‘I thought I was backing you up,’” Chael Sonnen said.

For now, Chael Sonnen seems unfazed by the ordeal, opting to keep his current phone number despite the flood of calls and messages it triggered. The former fighter’s resilience answered calls from MMA fans on his YouTube channel turning the entire ordeal on its head. He used this moment to create engaging content, another W for the “Bad Guy.”

Chael Sonnen Supports Sean Strickland’s UFC Title Shot: ‘Hasn’t Been Given A Damn Thing Since He Got Here!’

Former fighter Chael Sonnen has no qualms about Sean Strickland getting the next opportunity at the UFC middleweight title. The promotion confirmed earlier this month that Strickland will indeed get his shot at redemption opposite reigning 185-pound kingpin Dricus Du Plessis 13 months on from their showdown in Canada this past January. The pair are […]

Former fighter Chael Sonnen has no qualms about Sean Strickland getting the next opportunity at the UFC middleweight title.

The promotion confirmed earlier this month that Strickland will indeed get his shot at redemption opposite reigning 185-pound kingpin Dricus Du Plessis 13 months on from their showdown in Canada this past January.

The pair are tasked with headlining the UFC 312 pay-per-view in Sydney, Australia next February, with the South African returning to the nation in which he recorded a successful first defense of the gold against Israel Adesanya this past August.

Confirmation of Strickland’s shot has split opinion. Many expected the chance to go to Khamzat Chimaev after his emphatic submission win over Robert Whittaker, with even the champ himself branding “Borz” his preference.

Sonnen, though, doesn’t think there can be any complaints about the fight going to “Tarzan.”

During a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Sonnen dismissed any and all claims that Strickland is being handed the chance to return to the throne after his short four-month reign before running into Du Plessis.

And in contrast to many in the MMA community, Sonnen seemingly saw “Tarzan’s” five-round performance opposite Paulo Costa earlier this year as worthy of a shot at the gold that he entered 2024 holding.

“Daniel Cormier asked me what I thought about Sean Strickland being next for Dricus Du Plessis,” Sonnen said. “Excuse me? What do I think about that? That’s a great question to ask me six months ago when Sean Strickland took out Paulo Costa five straight rounds and became the number one contender.

“Do I believe Chimaev should be next? Yes, with the information I have now. But I’m going to get new information that I would like to be able to process the night that Strickland and Du Plessis fight. And not for nothing, if Strickland beats him, we’ve got to go into the trilogy match,” Sonnen continued. “The idea that Sean should somehow be happy, ‘Thank you to the Twittersphere for doing this, thank you to Dana White and Hunter Campbell.’ F you, times three. He took it. Strickland hasn’t been given a damn thing since he got here, and the only things he has are the things that he took.”

Strickland had made it clear in the aftermath of his lackluster win over “Borrachinha” that he would entertain nothing but a second dance with Du Plessis next time out.

While the likes of Whittaker and plenty of fans were surprised to see that stance rewarded by the promotion, “Tarzan” will be heading back Down Under, where he shocked the world in September 2023 by dethroning Israel Adesanya.

Read More: Jake Paul Reacts To Conor McGregor Revealing Talks For Logan Paul Boxing Match: ‘Now It All Makes Sense…’

“Little Liar” – Chael Sonnen Thought Sean Strickland Was Bluffing About His Record—Until He Saw Him Fight

Chael Sonnen wasn’t buying what Sean Strickland was selling. Today, Strickland is considered one of the best strikers in…

Chael Sonnen wasn’t buying what Sean Strickland was selling.

Today, Strickland is considered one of the best strikers in the game, having dominated former two-time titleholder Israel Adesanya to capture the UFC’s middleweight title in September 2023. Unfortunately, Strickland’s reign came to a quick end courtesy of a questionable split-decision loss against current 185-pound champion Dricus Du Plessis.

On February 8, ‘Tarzan’ will get the chance to make it right and reclaim the crown when he runs it back with ‘DDP’ at UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia.

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Ahead of their highly anticipated rematch, Sonnen recalled the first time he met a 21-year-old Strickland who was boasting about being an undefeated fighter with a whopping 17 victories already to his credit.

Sonnen is ‘Very proud’ of what Sean Strickland has accomplished

Of course, ‘The American Gangster’ thought Strickland was just another kid blowing smoke — until he saw him compete.

“Met Sean Strickland at the Reign Training Center,” Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “21 years old, little liar! He comes in the room, and we start working out. He tells me he’s 17-0 and the King of the Cage champion. You can’t get 17 fights at 21 years old. You can’t do it. No commission would give you that many fights.

“And I remember leaving and telling Miss Pretty, ‘That guy says he’s 17-0.’ And she’s like, ‘Do you think he’s lying?’ I go, ‘He would be 17-0. If he said 17 fights, he would have won them all. That guy’s really good.’ Went on to be a world champion. Very proud of him.”

Today, Strickland is 29-6 in his mixed martial arts career with 16 of his victories coming under the UFC banner.

Following his loss against Du Plessis in January, ‘Tarzan’ bounced back with a solid showing against one-time title challenger Paulo Costa at UFC 302 in June — a win that ultimately earned him his rematch against ‘DDP’ in 2025.

Chael Sonnen Claims He Was Ready To Throw In The Towel While Cornering Colby Covington At UFC Tampa

If the doctor hadn’t have called off Colby Covington’s UFC Tampa main event this past weekend, cornerman Chael Sonnen was seemingly prepared to. Sonnen had a cageside view as the former interim welterweight champion returned to action 12 months on from his third failed attempt at capturing the undisputed crown. Covington made the walk to […]

If the doctor hadn’t have called off Colby Covington’s UFC Tampa main event this past weekend, cornerman Chael Sonnen was seemingly prepared to.

Sonnen had a cageside view as the former interim welterweight champion returned to action 12 months on from his third failed attempt at capturing the undisputed crown.

Covington made the walk to headline the year-ending UFC Fight Night on short notice, doing battle with the charging Joaquin Buckley inside Amalie Arena.

The polarizing veteran’s pursuit of a fourth shot at the gold began in difficult fashion, with “New Mansa” opening up a deep cut above his eye early before largely beating “Chaos” up through two rounds. And the first-round wound became so severe that the doctor stepped in to call off proceedings.

Both Dana White and Covington expressed disagreement with the call in the aftermath. One of those in the defeated fighter’s team, however, was apparently prepared to make the decision if the physician had not.

During a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Sonnen reflected on fight night in Florida, where Covington fell to a 2-4 record across his last six bouts and 0-4 against names currently inside the rankings at 170 pounds.

Interestingly, “The American Gangster” suggested he had the towel close by to throw in after seeing Covington’s struggles to fight through the deep and bloody cut.

“Colby was getting hit on his feet with everything you could do, he’s busted open so bad that the doctor has to look at it three times,” Sonnen said (h/t Bloody Elbow). “Twice, he stops the action to let it keep going, the third time he goes, ‘Man we can’t keep going anymore.’ I was going to stop that fight, I already grabbed the towel.

“When the doctor came in for the third time, and I’m watching that blood, it’s not stopping,” Sonnen continued. “It’s going into the eye, and that’s the only thing you’re really looking for. When we as fight fans, as ‘tough guys’, think the doctor should’ve stopped it, we’re talking about it doesn’t matter how bad the cut is from our perspective, as long as it’s not going in the eye. If it’s blinding the guy, it doesn’t matter if it’s a little or a lot…it’s the exact same thing. I said, ‘Hand me that towel, I’m stopping this.’”

That ultimately wasn’t required, however, with the cageside doctor advising referee Dan Miragliotta to wave off the contest in fear of Covington losing his eyelid.

With that, “Chaos” has now gone winless across a second straight calendar year, having not had his hand raised since a pay-per-view main event opposite longtime rival Jorge Masvidal in March 2022.

Due to a Doctor's Stoppage Joaquin Buckley wins by TKO.#UFCTampa pic.twitter.com/rj6iEjNFkK

— UFC (@ufc) December 15, 2024

Read More: Top MMA Coach Picks Joaquin Buckley As ‘Fighter Of The Year’ Over Alex Pereira & Ilia Topuria

UFC veteran says Sean Strickland Should Be Next in Line for the Title, Not Khamzat Chimaev

UFC veteran Chael Sonnen has voiced strong support for middleweight contender Sean Strickland over Khamzat Chimaev, stating that he…

UFC veteran Chael Sonnen has voiced strong support for middleweight contender Sean Strickland over Khamzat Chimaev, stating that he should be next in line for a title shot, rather than ‘Borz.’ Whereas the champion Dricus du Plessis has stated otherwise.

Sean Strickland Next, Not Khamzat Chimaev

In an interview with Helen Yee, the veteran shared his thoughts on the current landscape of the division, emphasizing that Strickland has earned his chance at the title through hard work and dedication. “Yes, what I want for Khamzat Chimaev is to see him fight Bo Nickal. Not for the title—he’ll get to the title eventually. But that’s Sean Strickland’s. That’s Sean Strickland’s opportunity. He’s been promised that; he earned that,” Chael Sonnen explained.

Sean Strickland’s determination to face the toughest opponents, including Khamzat Chimaev, has made a significant impression on Sonnen. The UFC veteran pointed out that Strickland was willing to fight Chimaev when few others dared, highlighting the courage he showed by stepping up. “Sean was willing to put the very title up against Chimaev. Sean went to training thinking he was gonna fight Chimaev, and he didn’t blink at all,” the veteran noted.

The athlete added that Strickland’s willingness to take on the challenge should be rewarded with a title shot. “There’s one guy that had the balls to go through Chimaev to get to a title, and that was Kamaru Usman, who didn’t get credit for it, and he should have.”

UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis is waiting at the top for a clear contender, both Strickland and Chimaev are in the conversation. Stillknocks’ du Plessis defeated Strickland to capture the title and then defended it against former champion Israel Adesanya. The US-born earned a five-round decision against Paulo Costa to bounce back from his loss. Meanwhile, Khamzat Chimaev is 14-0 with his most recent win being a quick submission against former titleholder Robert Whittaker.

Arman Tsarukyan, a UFC contender, lost a submission grappling match against the middleweight Chimaev, Sonnen observed:

“I loved it. Khamzat choked him out there. There was a clip that went around, and I wish it would have been the whole thing … They do that occasionally for entertainment. I loved every second of that—nobody loses, right? They laugh, they smile, chalk it up to a workout. I love when guys go and do that. And I wish I would have seen 20 minutes of them wrestling, not just that one guillotine. I loved it.”

Strickland’s and Chimaev remain a topic of great discussion among analysts, but for now, Chael Sonnen is firm in his stance: “Sean wins that showdown—it’s his shot.”