Tag: Chael Sonnen

Chael Sonnen Suggests Sean O’Malley Could Challenge Ilia Topuria In UFC Return: ‘It’s Not A Crazy Idea!’

Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen sees no reason why the promotion couldn’t pair featherweight kingpin Ilia Topuria with Sean O’Malley next year. O’Malley ignited talk of pursuing two-division glory following Topuria’s rise to the 145-pound throne at the start of 2024. At the time, “Suga” occupied top spot in the bantamweight division and would […]

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Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen sees no reason why the promotion couldn’t pair featherweight kingpin Ilia Topuria with Sean O’Malley next year.

O’Malley ignited talk of pursuing two-division glory following Topuria’s rise to the 145-pound throne at the start of 2024. At the time, “Suga” occupied top spot in the bantamweight division and would soon add a successful defense to his reign at the expense of Marlon Vera.

With work still to do in his own weight class, O’Malley instead met the challenge of Merab Dvalishvili. The Georgian proved to be an insurmountable hurdle for the Montana native inside the Sphere in September, where “The Machine” cruised to a title crowning.

With that, a possible superfight with “El Matador” appeared to take some damage. But despite O’Malley putting his sights on redemption against Dvalishvili and a second stint with 135-pound gold in his possession, Sonnen has questioned why Topuria is now out of the question.

During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, “The American Gangster” pointed out that Alex Pereira’s rise to a second title was made possible by his knockout loss to Israel Adesanya.

Believing it to be easier to move up without a title, Sonnen doesn’t see a clash between Topuria and bantamweight contender O’Malley in 2025 to be a “crazy” idea.

“One of the big talking points this week is what could have been. What could have been with a superfight between Sean O’Malley and Ilia Topuria, how massive that could have been,” Sonnen said. “The thing holding up a superfight between Topuria and Sean O’Malley is not Merab or Merab getting a decision over Sean or Sean not being the champion. It is none of those things. That is not true. Had Sean won, he and Ilia Topuria would not be fighting. They had not cleaned out their divisions, respectively.

“If I’m right, but you’re also right in that that’s the massive fight, we can now make it and we can make it right now. The thing in the way of it (was) Sean being the champion at 135. They can now do that fight,” Sonnen continued. “The quickest way you’re ever gonna get Pereira vs. (Tom) Aspinall or Pereira vs. (Jon) Jones…(is) if Pereira is to lose at light heavyweight. That is how we got Pereira to the 205-pound class to start with. … It’s not a crazy idea. … What if he (O’Malley) did take 10 or 12 months? 10 or 12 months to put on some size and he comes right up and challenges Ilia Topuria.”

It remains to be seen whether O’Malley or the promotion may have the same idea as Sonnen down the line. For now, it appears that “Suga” is intent on avenging his loss to Dvalishvili once healed from the surgery he underwent to repair a torn labrum last month.

Topuria, meanwhile, appears likely to run it back with Alexander Volkanovski next year after getting past Max Holloway in his first defense in October.

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen Suggests Sean O’Malley Could Challenge Ilia Topuria In UFC Return: ‘It’s Not A Crazy Idea!’ at MMA News.

Bryan Battle Laughs Off $250,000 Chael Sonnen Fine Rumor: ‘That’s Crazy!

Bryan Battle Laughs Off $250,000 Chael Sonnen Fine Rumor: ‘That’s Crazy!Bryan Battle couldn’t help but laugh at a recent rumor claiming that he had been both fined and banned…

Bryan Battle Laughs Off $250,000 Chael Sonnen Fine Rumor: ‘That’s Crazy!

Bryan Battle couldn’t help but laugh at a recent rumor claiming that he had been both fined and banned from competing in Paris following his win over Kevin Jousset in September.

After scoring an impressive second-round KO to extend his unbeaten streak to three, Battle delivered an all-time post-fight promo that had the live crowd in France ready to riot. Shortly after, an account on X impersonating popular MMA news outlet @SpinninBackfist shared a post claiming that ‘The Butcher’ had been permanently banished from The City of Light and hit with a quarter-million dollar fine for badmouthing the French people after smashing through one of their own.

Before long, everyone realized that the post was from a parody account, but not before former three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen made an entire video addressing the report as if it were 100% true.

Bryan Battle has a hearty laugh at Sonnen’s expense

Asked about the situation during a recent interview with Damon Martin of MMA Fighting, Battle couldn’t help but laugh at the situation and the fact that ‘The American Gangster’ got duped.

“It caught me off the rip because I knew it wasn’t a real thing, or at least it was something I hadn’t heard of… I was like, ‘That’s crazy.’ I was like, ‘I wonder who gave them this information because normal Spinning Backfist is a reputable source.’

“Then one of my friends pointed out that it wasn’t Spinning Backfist, that was Spinnin Backp*ss. I was like, ‘Oh, blessed.’ I did see Chael Sonnen did the whole video and people were in the comments like, ‘Uh, Chael, you need to check your sources.’ That was funny.

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With the win over Jousset, ‘The Butcher’ moved to 6-1 inside the Octagon with five of his wins coming inside the distance, including three knockouts and two via submission.

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Chael Sonnen ‘Not Sold’ On Khamzat Chimaev’s Size As A UFC Middleweight 

Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen isn’t sure that Khamzat Chimaev is currently competing in the ideal weight class. Chimaev is days out from likely the biggest fight of his career, as he gears up to do battle with former middleweight champion and #3-ranked contender Robert Whittaker in the UFC 308 co-main event. The five-rounder […]

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Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen isn’t sure that Khamzat Chimaev is currently competing in the ideal weight class.

Chimaev is days out from likely the biggest fight of his career, as he gears up to do battle with former middleweight champion and #3-ranked contender Robert Whittaker in the UFC 308 co-main event.

The five-rounder in Abu Dhabi marks the undefeated fighter’s first outing in over a year. That’s after numerous illnesses and injuries kept him out following a win over Kamaru Usman in his return to 185 pounds.

“Borz” went back up in weight after a debacle on the scale that saw him come in well over the welterweight limit for a subsequently canceled 2022 pay-per-view headliner against Nate Diaz.

While many welcomed that change and believe the door is now shut on a 170-pound future for the Chechen star, Sonnen sees things differently, as he explained during a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel.

Sonnen touched on the coaching change Chimaev has made to his camp, which he believes will be nothing but beneficial. But “The American Gangster” remains unsure if “Borz” can overcome what he sees as a size disadvantage in the middleweight division.

“If Chimaev is returning to the coach he had when he was 17, you’re going to see one of the best versions of Chimaev that you’ve seen before,” Sonnen said. “But that’s still Robert effing Whittaker. He will beat your ass. He will keep you on your feet and he will begin to bludgeon you.

“I’m also not sold on Chimaev’s size. I know some of you are. You’re saying that he’s pulling pretty hard to get down to 185 and 170 is long behind him. I’m getting other information, and I do know that he considered a title fight all the way at 170 (recently),” Sonnen continued. “I’m just not sold on how big he is at 185. I know how big Whittaker is at 185. I supported the concept of Whittaker going up to 205.”

In his last outing, Chimaev emerged victorious from a 185-pound contest. He was, however, facing a former welterweight champ in Usman who was making his debut in the division.

With that in mind, plenty of questions still surround his prospects of finding success in the higher weight class. And given the level of competition he’s set to face at UFC 308 this Saturday, it stands to reason that they will be answered soon enough.

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen ‘Not Sold’ On Khamzat Chimaev’s Size As A UFC Middleweight  at MMA News.

Feud Squashed! Conor McGregor Embraces Chael Sonnen’s High Praise as UFC Legend Teases Comeback

Feud Squashed! Conor McGregor Embraces Chael Sonnen’s High Praise as UFC Legend Teases ComebackConor McGregor and Chael Sonnen have seemingly squashed their beef. ‘Mystic Mac’ has not stepped foot inside the Octagon…

Feud Squashed! Conor McGregor Embraces Chael Sonnen’s High Praise as UFC Legend Teases Comeback

Conor McGregor and Chael Sonnen have seemingly squashed their beef.

‘Mystic Mac’ has not stepped foot inside the Octagon in more than three years, but despite the drought, the former two-division champion remains adamant that he’ll be back in the cage before long.

Conor McGregor

Of course, not everyone is convinced, but whether or not we ever see him dawn the four-ounce gloves again, ‘The American Gangster’ truly believes that McGregor may have been the best the sport has ever seen.

“Conor McGregor, what will his legacy be? Have we forgotten how great he was? 145 and 155 are the most difficult weight classes in the sport,” Sonnen said in a video on social media. “Conor was the champion of both divisions simultaneously. That is insane. Conor McGregor has won so many world championships that he forgot one. He’s a champ, champ, champ. He forgot that he won the interim championship. I was there. I watched his fight with Chad Mendes.”

“He had to beat the greatest 145 pounder to ever live. He ended up doing it in 11 seconds. He parlays that into one of the baddest dudes I have ever met – Eddie Alvarez. He took that, he parlayed it against the greatest boxer that sport has ever seen and went 30 minutes with him… Conor McGregor was truly, perhaps, the best fighter that’s ever done this” (h/t Sportskeeda).

Conor McGregor Responds to Sonnen’s Praise

The praise from Sonnen got back to McGregor and appears to have helped squash the longstanding beef between the two combat sports icons.

McGregor shared Sonnen’s video on Instagram along with a message reiterating that he’s far from done in the world of mixed martial arts.

“I [am] not done,” McGregor wrote. “It’s too handy for me to come back at any time at all and just swipe the game up again entirely. Every walk is a record.”

Conor McGregor

McGregor previously revealed that a fight between himself and Dan Hooker was in the works for February 1 in Saudi Arabia. Dana White approved of the pairing, but Hooker was quick to squash any possibility of the fight happening in February with his wife due to give birth around the same time.

“I’m good to go in January or March,” Hooker told Helen Yee Sports. “The missus is due [for a baby in] February, so no can go. I’ve got a little girl on the way.

Sounds like everyone is on board. It’s just a matter of hammering out a date that works.

Conor McGregor

Chael Sonnen: Kayla Harrison Not Next In Line For UFC Title Shot Based On ‘Merit’ 

If the UFC was to favor a meritocratic route to decide the first challenger to Julianna Peña, former fighter Chael Sonnen believes Raquel Pennington would be getting an immediate rematch. Having not competed since being unseated by Amanda Nunes back in July 2022, Peña returned to the bantamweight throne at this past weekend’s UFC 307 […]

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If the UFC was to favor a meritocratic route to decide the first challenger to Julianna Peña, former fighter Chael Sonnen believes Raquel Pennington would be getting an immediate rematch.

Having not competed since being unseated by Amanda Nunes back in July 2022, Peña returned to the bantamweight throne at this past weekend’s UFC 307 pay-per-view in Salt Lake City.

“The Venezuelan Vixen” fell on the right side of a widely debated split decision verdict in Utah, bringing a short reign for Pennington to an end in the co-main event.

Some were pointing to the recent numbered card as a tournament for the 135-pound division, with top contenders Kayla Harrison and Ketlen Vieira meeting earlier in the night.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time PFL champion emerged victorious from that clash on the scorecards, seemingly booking a first UFC title shot.

Sonnen, however, thinks the conversation isn’t quite so clear-cut…

Sonnen Puts Pennington Above Harrison In Meritocratic Title Shot Queue

During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Sonnen reacted to the events that unfolded in regard to the bantamweight championship conversation at UFC 307.

While Sonnen acknowledged that Harrison is likely to compete for the gold in her third walk to the Octagon, he suggested that wouldn’t be the case if the decision was based on “merit.”

“When we’re having the discussion of what’s next, I think it would be responsible for us all — because if we’re just coming from a competitive nature or looking at the rankings, something like that, you lose, you don’t get Kayla. You get Raquel,” Sonnen said. “If you’re gonna just pay attention to merit and who’s done what, you don’t get Kayla vs. Peña next, you get Raquel in a rematch.

“From the world of promotion, there is nothing on Peña vs. Pennington in a rematch. But guys, there was nothing on it three days ago when we saw it,” Sonnen continued. “We’re not in a vastly different situation. If we’re just going to go off of merit, Pennington must be considered. That’s what I’m offering for you. Pennington should be the champion of the world right now.”

Regardless, Harrison is expecting to receive her opportunity next time out, having started life on MMA’s biggest stage with consecutive wins over top-five opposition at 135 pounds.

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Chael Sonnen: Khalil Rountree Won’t ‘Wilt’ To ‘Mike Tyson-esque Fear Factor’ Alex Pereira Has

Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen doesn’t think Khalil Rountree will be buying into the reputation that precedes Alex Pereira whenever he enters the Octagon. Rountree is days away from the biggest fight of his career to date, as he gears up to headline a pay-per-view and compete with gold on the line for the […]

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Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen doesn’t think Khalil Rountree will be buying into the reputation that precedes Alex Pereira whenever he enters the Octagon.

Rountree is days away from the biggest fight of his career to date, as he gears up to headline a pay-per-view and compete with gold on the line for the very first time at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

If “The War Horse” is to continue his winning form all the way to the light heavyweight throne, he’ll have to unseat Pereira. That’s a task that former champions Jamahal Hill and Ji?í Procházka have both failed to achieve in 2024.

Destructive performances against “Sweet Dreams” and “BJP” have only enhanced Pereira’s status as one of the promotion’s most feared knockout artists.

But when it comes to how opponents handle such a reputation, Sonnen doesn’t expect Rountree to be one who “wilts” come fight night…

Sonnen: Rountree A ‘Real Problem’ For Pereira

During the latest episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Daniel Cormier on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Sonnen reiterated his belief that an upset could be brewing in Salt Lake City.

In part, that’s down to the mindset of Rountree. According to “The American Gangster,” the challenger won’t crumble to the “fear factor” Pereira has developed in the way that others in the division would.

“I’m telling you, Daniel, every upset has a couple of commonalities. This fight, you’ve got to keep your eyes on it,” Sonnen said. “Number one battle Khalil’s got is to show up and fight. Pereira’s gonna get to a point where guys don’t do that.

“Pereira is entering that Mike Tyson-esque fear factor, where guys are going to wilt in the back. I just don’t believe that’s Khalil,” Sonnen continued. “I think Khalil’s got one more good one in him. I think he can overcome this, and I think he is a real problem for Pereira.”

Rountree’s history of violent knockouts may also have created a “fear factor” behind his own striking game. And that might especially be the case for kickboxing standouts given “The War Horse’s” habit of stalling their charges inside the cage.

It remains to be seen whether history will repeat itself in that regard this Saturday.

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen: Khalil Rountree Won’t ‘Wilt’ To ‘Mike Tyson-esque Fear Factor’ Alex Pereira Has at MMA News.