MMA Star Chael Sonnen Claims WWE Tried To Bribe Him $5 Million In 2012

The greatest worker in mixed martial arts history is at it again.

Chael Sonnen Ufc Wwe
UFC

Chael Sonnen has long been one of mixed martial arts' great entertainers, and while you could list the number of times the former UFC middleweight has told the truth on the back of a postage stamp, his over-the-top, wrestling-influenced promos are always fun.

Sonnen's latest outlandish outburst came in a recent interview with ESPN's Ariel Helwani. In it, Chael claimed that not only did WWE reach out to him prior to his UFC 148 rematch with Anderson Silva in 2012, but they tried to pay him off as well.

Per 'The American Gangster,' a nameless WWE official was willing to give Sonnen a big reward to "stick it up Dana White's *ass." He would've been paid a cool $1 million to no-show the event and leave the UFC high and dry, or, alternatively, $5 million to take the UFC Middleweight Championship to Raw after beating the Brazilian legend.

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Sonnen went on to lose the fight via TKO 1:55 into the second round.

Those unfamiliar with the 42-year-old's style should know to take promos like this with a pinch of Chael. Superstar Billy Graham is one of his biggest influences, and Sonnen is always a hoot, but he's working a gimmick. Regardless, who isn't tickled by the idea of Vince McMahon splashing $5 million to embarrass the competition?

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.