Tag: Chael Sonnen

Dana White Exploring Security for Anderson Silva-Chael Sonnen Rematch in Brazil

UFC president Dana White confirmed either Chael Sonnen or Mark Munoz will challenge Anderson Silva for the UFC middleweight title later next summer. However, the outspoken UFC boss is interested in selling the title bout, particularly a rematch fe…

UFC president Dana White confirmed either Chael Sonnen or Mark Munoz will challenge Anderson Silva for the UFC middleweight title later next summer. 

However, the outspoken UFC boss is interested in selling the title bout, particularly a rematch featuring Sonnen and Silva, in front of the champion’s homeland in Brazil. 

While at first being intrigued by the idea, White is a little concerned for Sonnen’s safety should the middleweight title contender continue disrespecting Silva and his native country. 

White has expressed interest in implementing security at the event to ensure the well-being of Sonnen.

“We’ve already started worrying about that,” White told MMAFighting.com. “We will have presidential-type security down there for him. The biggest fear would be should Chael win that night.”

Despite his concern for Sonnen, White believes hosting the potential rematch in Brazil will help elevate Silva’s status in Brazil as he headlines an event against his rival.

White said the hostile environment was in comparison to a boxing match between Greg Haugen and Julio Cesar Chavez, which took place in front of over 100,000 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City in 1993. 

“Greg Haugen said the most horrible things you can ever say about Mexicans,” he said. “They walked him in, people were throwing beers at him as he went in, it was crazy. But the fight went off and it was one of the biggest fights in boxing history.” 

And White has those same dreams about putting on a great fight between Sonnen and Silva, however Sonnen must get past Munoz first at UFC on FOX 2 in January next year.

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UFC News: Chael Sonnen Talks FOX, Anderson Silva and Mark Munoz

The UFC’s most notorious bad boy, Chael Sonnen—to the surprise of no one—had a lot to say at the UFC on FOX 2 press conference yesterday. At first, Sonnen did not have a lot to say about his UFC on FOX 2 opponent, Mark Munoz, preferring to …

The UFC’s most notorious bad boy, Chael Sonnen—to the surprise of no one—had a lot to say at the UFC on FOX 2 press conference yesterday.

At first, Sonnen did not have a lot to say about his UFC on FOX 2 opponent, Mark Munoz, preferring to aim his comments at the Fox network first and foremost.

“I would imagine that he’s the best [wrestler]. He’s certainly the most decorated, you know? I haven’t given it a lot of thought. I’m not a wrestler, either. I’m a fighter from the mean streets of Westland, Oregon,” Sonnen said about his upcoming fight scheduled for January 28, 2012.

From there, Uncle Chael simply could not resist making a pop-culture reference when talking about how he feels about getting the opportunity to fight on national television.

“I think everybody up here is grateful to be on FOX,” Sonnen said. “They say, ‘FOX, thanks,’ everybody but me. I would say, ‘FOX, you’re welcome. You’ve been telling people for years you’ve got the American Idol and now you finally do.'”

Despite recently proclaiming that his feud with UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva is over, Sonnen seconded Team Quest teammate Dan Henderson’s recent accusation that Silva was faking injuries. 

“I don’t believe Anderson’s hurt,” Sonnen began. “I know he says he’s hurt and then he was in training camp with Wanderlei that got caught on tape. He just got done working with Machida that got caught on tape,” Sonnen rationalized.

“I really don’t care about Anderson Silva. I truly don’t. How hard is it gonna be to become world champion beating up math teachers? I don’t understand it. Give Anderson Silva my schedule and see how well he does,” Chael said emphatically.

“Yeah, I think he’s ducking me. I think he’s ducking Dan Henderson. I don’t know if he’d be eager to fight Bisping, you’ll have to [sic] Dan about that comment but, no, I don’t think he’s hurt.”

The only commentary Sonnen provided about Munoz was regarding “The Filipino Wrecking Machine’s” recent comments that the former University of Oregon wrestler cheated in their wrestling bout years ago.

“Mark’s explanation of [sic] heat of the moment, I appreciate that but I assure you it was a calculated and premeditated event and I offer no apology,” Sonnen stated.
 
“Secondly, I don’t even remember college. I’m driving around in a car with no insurance, a pocket with no money and the biggest thing on my mind was which kid to sit next to on exam day so as far as a wrestling match, that was the fourth thing on my mind,” Chael recalled.

“I assure you on January 28th, I will be ready. It will be one more in the win column, one more above the mantel and one more for the bad guy.”

For those not familiar, Sonnen is referencing popular WWE (then WWF) ’90s wrestler Razor Ramon in his parting comment. 

Ramon, modeled after Al Pacino’s version of Tony Montana from Scarface to an extent, would commonly refer to himself as “The Bad Guy.”

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Rashad Evans Drops Jerry Sandusky Joke, Chael Sonnen Declares Himself the ‘American Idol’ at UFC on FOX 2 Press Conference [VIDEO]

(Props: YouTube.com/UFC)

Got an hour to spare? Then check out the full video of yesterday’s UFC on FOX 2 press conference, which was held at the United Center in Chicago and featured all six fighters that would be headlining the show. Here are some of the highlights, most of which belonged to the Gangster From West Linn:

Chael Sonnen on his checkered past: “I actually held public office, and I left the only way a person should — in handcuffs.”

Sonnen on his illegal kneebar during a college wrestling match with Mark Munoz: “Mark’s explanation of ‘heat of the moment’, I appreciate that but I can assure you it was a calculated and premeditated event, and I offer no apology. And secondly, I don’t even remember college. I’m driving around in a car with no insurance, a pocket with no money and the biggest thing on my mind was which kid to sit next to on exam day, so as far as a wrestling match, that was about the fourth thing on my mind. I assure you on January 28th, I will be ready. It will be one more in the win column, one more above the mantle, and one more for the bad guy.”


(Props: YouTube.com/UFC)

Got an hour to spare? Then check out the full video of yesterday’s UFC on FOX 2 press conference, which was held at the United Center in Chicago and featured all six fighters that would be headlining the show. Here are some of the highlights, most of which belonged to the Gangster From West Linn:

Chael Sonnen on his checkered past: “I actually held public office, and I left the only way a person should — in handcuffs.”

Sonnen on his illegal kneebar during a college wrestling match with Mark Munoz: “Mark’s explanation of ‘heat of the moment’, I appreciate that but I can assure you it was a calculated and premeditated event, and I offer no apology. And secondly, I don’t even remember college. I’m driving around in a car with no insurance, a pocket with no money and the biggest thing on my mind was which kid to sit next to on exam day, so as far as a wrestling match, that was about the fourth thing on my mind. I assure you on January 28th, I will be ready. It will be one more in the win column, one more above the mantle, and one more for the bad guy.”

Michael Bisping on Dan Henderson’s recent tweet regarding Anderson’s injuries: “Well he’s just another person that had his shot, weren’t he? I seem to remember him getting tapped out just like Chael did, so both of these guys have a problem with submission defense. If he’s bitter about it, don’t talk shit about me about it just because you blew your shot.”

Sonnen on humility: “I think everybody up here is grateful to be on FOX. They say, ‘FOX, thanks.’ Everybody but me. I would say, ‘FOX, you’re welcome.’ You’ve been telling people for years you’ve got the American Idol and now you finally do.”

Sonnen on fighting Mark Munoz: “Everybody’s got guys they don’t want to fight, and Mark is definitely on the top of my list, and not just because I like him. Because he’s a hard match — I’ve competed with him before and I’ve never beat him. But look, we have to do this, and on top of that, Mark and I agreed to fight to set an example for the rest of the guys. This is just competition. Basketball players don’t not play each other because they’re friends, or they practice together, or any other excuse that guys have for saying no. The answer is yes, and we will compete and we will shake hands and we will live with the result.”

Rashad Evans: “I prefer to bring out the knockout [artist side of himself as opposed to the ground-and-pound side] because Phil, he needs to get knocked out.”
Phil Davis: ”Glad you mentioned that because one of your buddies, Jon Jones, said you don’t have much of a chin.”
Evans: ”You’ll have to find out for yourself, right?”
Davis: ”I was already thinking that!”
Evans: ”I bet you won’t be able to put your hands on me, though…I guarantee you’ll be the first one to take a shot…’cuz I’m gonna put those hands on you worse than that dude did to them other kids at Penn State.”

The audio fades out at the 1:10:20 mark, but if anybody knows what was said here, let us know…

Rashad Evans to Phil Davis: ?I’m Going to Touch you Worse than Sandusky Did?

Yesterday’s pre-fight press conference for UFC on Fox 2 featured the best of the best when it comes to trash-talkers and elite wrestlers.In the main event, former NCAA Division I wrestler Phil Davis will take on former UFC light heavyweight champion Ra…

Yesterday’s pre-fight press conference for UFC on Fox 2 featured the best of the best when it comes to trash-talkers and elite wrestlers.

In the main event, former NCAA Division I wrestler Phil Davis will take on former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans. It is likely that this fight will determine the No. 1 contender to face the winner of Jon Jones vs. Lyoto Machida.

Evans is coming off his win over Tito Ortiz while Davis is undefeated at 9-0 with five victories in the UFC.

Also in attendance for the Chicago event, which will be shown from the United Center on January 28, include middleweight contenders Michael Bisping, Mark Munoz and Demian Maia. With four of the top 10 middleweights all fighting for a shot at Anderson Silva, these fights will be the most important in determining who gets the shot.

Although Sonnen is perceived as the best trash-talker in the business, Evans left with perhaps the quote of the day.

When Davis referred to an interview in which Evans’ teammate Jon Jones said he had no chin, Evans came back with “I bet you won’t be able to put your hands on me. I bet you would be the first one to take a shot. Guaranteed. Cause’ I’m gonna put those hands on you worse than that other dude did at Penn State.” (At 1:09:00 in the video)

Referring to the recent case of former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, who was accused of sex crimes against young boys, Evans held little back in letting the former Penn State graduate know what he thought about the situation.

While Davis attended the campus, he obtained an impressive 116-17 record during his collegiate wrestling career. He earned a NCAA Division I title in 2008.

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UFC Already Examining Security for Sonnen vs. Silva 2 in Brazil

Filed under: UFC, NewsCHICAGO — UFC President Dana White reiterated on Wednesday that the winner of the upcoming Chael Sonnen-Mark Munoz fight on Fox will take on middleweight champion Anderson Silva some time this summer. And White said that he could…

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Chael SonnenCHICAGO — UFC President Dana White reiterated on Wednesday that the winner of the upcoming Chael Sonnen–Mark Munoz fight on Fox will take on middleweight champion Anderson Silva some time this summer. And White said that he could see putting together a blockbuster Sonnen-Silva rematch in Brazil, possibly in front of tens of thousands of people in a soccer stadium.

That raises an interesting question: Is White concerned about an ugly scene breaking out if Sonnen continues saying the ugly things he has said about Brazlians in general and Silva in particular?

“We’ve already started worrying about that,” White said. “We will have presidential-type security down there for him. The biggest fear would be should Chael win that night. We’d have to f–king dig a tunnel underneath the Octagon.”

But White said he likes the idea of Silva fighting his most hated rival in front of his Brazilian fans. And he said the proper security procedures could ensure a safe environment for Sonnen and everyone else in attendance.

White pointed to a 1993 boxing match between Greg Haugen and Julio Caesar Chavez before 132,247 fans at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City as a precedent for an American fighter going into extremely hostile territory against a beloved champion.

“Greg Haugen said the most horrible things you can ever say about Mexicans,” White said. “They walked him in, people were throwing beers at him as he went in, it was crazy. But the fight went off and it was one of the biggest fights in boxing history.”

White would like to make Sonnen-Silva 2 one of the biggest fights in MMA history, and he said both Silva and Sonnen will be ready to go, should Sonnen beat Munoz. Sonnen is getting his trash talking started early by accusing Silva of ducking him by faking a shoulder injury, but White said that’s just trash talk from Sonnen.

“He knows this: There’s no such thing as faking an injury in the UFC,” White said. “If I’m trying to make that fight and you tell me you’re injured, you come see our doctors, we check them out and verify they’re injured. There’s no faking injuries in the UFC.”

 

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Chael Sonnen Admits He Was ‘The Bad Guy’ Against Mark Munoz in College

Filed under: UFC, NewsCHICAGO — Chael Sonnen was his usual brash-talking self when promoting his upcoming fight with Mark Munoz on Wednesday, even acknowledging that when he wrestled against Munoz in college, he took a cheap shot — and he’s not sorry…

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Chael SonnenCHICAGO — Chael Sonnen was his usual brash-talking self when promoting his upcoming fight with Mark Munoz on Wednesday, even acknowledging that when he wrestled against Munoz in college, he took a cheap shot — and he’s not sorry about it.

Munoz, who was an NCAA champion wrestler at Oklahoma State, has said in the past that when he took on Sonnen during an Oklahoma State-Oregon wrestling meet in college, Sonnen illegally attempted a jiu jitsu-style knee bar in an attempt to hurt him.

“When we wrestled, Chael — in the heat of the battle — he got a knee bar and cranked on it a little bit,” Munoz said. “It happens. You get things tweaked on and everything and that’s what happens sometimes. The ref is there to stop it. It’s water underneath the bridge now. Chael has fought for a long time. He’s a great fighter and it’s going to be an honor to fight him. He’s got awesome MMA wrestling, I’ve got great wrestling. You’re going to see a lot of wrestling going on.”

It was magnanimous of Munoz to say that Sonnen’s actions came in the heat of the moment, but Sonnen said that actually wasn’t the case.

“Mark’s explanation, the heat of the moment, I appreciate it,” Sonnen said. “But it was a calculated and premeditated event.”

Sonnen said he’s perfectly willing to play the role of the bad guy who tried to hurt his opponent in a college wrestling match, although he’s long since stopped thinking about his college wrestling career. What Sonnen is focused on is having a shot at Munoz in the Octagon.

“I assure you,” Sonnen said. “On January 28, I will be ready. It will be one more in the win column, one more on the mantel and one more for the bad guy.”

 

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