Dana White: Not since Muhammad Ali has there been a talker like Chael Sonnen
Posted on December 17, 2011, 07:29 PM by Joey Santosus
"(I've never seen anyone) even anywhere near him. Seriously - and everybody's going to go crazy over this - but I've never seen anyone who can talk like this guy can since Muhammad Ali. Seriously. Since Muhammad Ali - the stuff that just comes right off the top of his head, and is hilarious. And you don't know what's real and what's not real." - For more from Dana White, visit Heavy.com
Not since the great Muhammad Ali has there been a fighter as naturally gifted as Chael Sonnen.
At least, that's according to UFC President Dana White, who says that the Middleweight's gift of gab is reminiscent of the legendary pro-boxer's. Since bursting onto the scene with his vicious one-liners and take no prisoners approach to trash-talk, Sonnen has emerged as one of the most polarizing figures in mixed martial arts, confronting a Champion and enraging an entire nation along the way. Though few would argue that Sonnen is in a league of his own when it comes to hyping a fight, White expects his comparison of the Team Quest fighter to Ali will ruffle some feathers. But, what do you think LowKick'ers? Is Sonnen's talk-game really up to par with that of the boxing icon's?
Photos: Scott Hirano/Francis Specker
Comments
" I beat you, you leave the division. You beat me, I will leave the UFC, forever!"
I like what Munoz said. 99% hype, 1% Chael. An entertainer.
Interestingly, I was wondering what the origin of the name "Chael" is and is is short for miCHAEL.
After reading your comment, I decided to check into it out of curiosity. The name "Chael" is Hebrew and is, in fact, a short form of Michael.
It's meaning: Who is like God
So Chael is a God!
like or hate the guy, he entertains and he performs well.
the only reason people really hate him is the shit he was involved in with the property scandal and PED's...maybe its because i'm from the UK and what he was minimally involved in did'nt directly effect me,more so american's but even so,i watch him and MMA in general for fights,not for politics so that part of his persona i don't care about.
the PED's,well,how many other people in this sport take them for legit and non-legit reasons but people still like them...kinda hypocritical.
i'm pretty sure most of us here grew up years ago and still watch now WWF/WWE...that sport was and is riddled with steroids but doesnt seem to get the flak MMA does
chael sonnen,loved and hated by all,the same as tito ortiz,ken shamrock,brock lesnar,anderson silva,sean sherk,tim sylvia,fedor emelianenko,migel torres etc. ... it's all a pantomime sometimes
people are right to have an opinion,its good to debate to an extent and we're all going to like and dislike certain fighters for whatever reasons but i think people should start thinking about what and why theyre really hating a bit more and just enjoy it for what it is
Dont forget he also gave Silva fans a heart attack until the lsat seconds of that fight. Silva was seen as invincible and I remember all the talk before that fight. "Andersons gonna destroy this loud mouth...KO in the first"
"Sonnen has NO CHANCE why is he even fighting Anderson" lol you know where Im coming from.
I find Chael entertaining and funny as hell but I'm not sure about putting the names "Chael Sonnen" and "Muhammad Ali" in the same sentence. Let's not forget, Ali was a cultural force, a worldwide inspiration, and was talking trash at a time when black people had few rights, and black fighters were thought upon as mindless bovine. Ali was razor sharp and always brimming with dignity, and he came up with some wonderful poetry as well! If anything, they are polar-****ing-opposites...
yea, I know, you filled the chat wall with the same thing.
he called joe frazier a gorilla
I totally agree. Ali's talk was done in a more comical way, no? Remember when he had that rubber gorilla and he punched it it front of the camera? OMG, so funny. The spirit of Ali was unequivocal- and his confidence and heart were unquestionable. And when he lost, he really was humble. I remember what he said about smoking Joe Frazier: "Normally, I bring out the best in the men I fight. But Joe Frazier brings out the best in me. May God bless him."
my bad dude
but he still is a boring fighter...his fight record is less than average having lost a quarter of his fights...11 losses ,oh hang on he doesn't count submissions as losses does he....there are many more desrving fighters out there with much better records....it will be 12 losses soon when Munoz ko's him.
1 little 2 little 3 little haters.....smoke a joint highlife, youll get over it.
I bet Highlife just Wiki'd Sonnen and saw Decisions and immediately assumed Sonnen is boring. Casual/New fan I bet. Watched a few UFC Unleashed episodes and think he knows what he is talking about...
But anyway, looking at a fighter's past can show a lot about the fighter. Like seeing him get KO'd would show he has no chin, and you just cant work on having a better chin.
But the past 5 fights Sonnen has had, he truly deserves #2 MW status.
Style wise, Munoz doesnt look too good, seeing how Sonnen has never been KO'd or truly TKO'd. Or even close to being outwrestled.
Chael is not ALI. But he is similar in the fact that he has a sense of timing with his wit. Ali had this as well; but coming from a black man as articulate as Ali has no comparison. Chael is witty and fun to watch, because like Ali, we can't wait to hear what comes out of his mouth next.