10 Things UFC Wants You To Forget About Chael Sonnen
5. Getting Title Fights Based On Charisma
Ostensibly Chael Sonnens record of 28-14-1 is relatively respectable. However, of these 43-pro-fights, only 14 have been in the UFC; when fighting in MMAs premier promotion his record is a far less adequate 7-7. Even if you subtract the three loses against GOAT-candidate level opponents in Anderson Silva (twice) and Jon Jones, his record in the UFC is still a lacklustre 7-4. We have already mentioned that the American Gangsters fighting style is relatively tedious, so how on earth did he manage to get three title fights in just over three years? The answer is that Chael Sonnen received these title shots two of which were back-to-back not because of his skill in the Octagon but because of his work on the mic. Everybody knows that the oozing charisma, intelligence, hyperbole and wit of Sonnen always make for an entertaining fight but there are less who are willing to admit that it was because of this skill-set that Chaels MMA career has been honoured with three title fights. The UFC in particular would be eager for this fact to remain known by as few fans as possible in their quest to disassociate themselves from the image of the WWE and staged combat, it would be undesirable for people to know that fights could be given out based on an athletes ability to cut a promo.
Hailing from South East London, Sam Heard is an aspiring writer and recent graduate from the University of Warwick. Sam's favourite things include energy drinks, late nights spent watching the UFC with his girlfriend and annihilating his friends at FIFA.
