Latest news with #ChaelSonnen
USA Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Video Q&A: 'The Ultimate Fighter' 20-year celebration with Daniel Cormier, Chael Sonnen
Video Q&A: 'The Ultimate Fighter' 20-year celebration with Daniel Cormier, Chael Sonnen Show Caption Hide Caption Relive the "The Ultimate Fighter" 20-Year Celebration & Season 33 Q&A A special 20-Year Celebration of The Ultimate Fighter as key figures from show's history sit down for a powerful panel discussion and Season 33 Q&A LAS VEGAS – "The Ultimate Fighter" continues to rage on. The UFC's long-running reality TV series is a staple of the promotion. To kick off Season 33, coaches Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen joined TUF 1 winner Forrest Griffin and co-creater Craig Piligian for a Q&A panel with host Karyn Bryant. The panel discussed the evolution of TUF over the years, personal stories from past experiences on the show and memorable moments over the show's 20-year run. Check out the full Q&A panel in the video above.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
'You don't have no legacy' - UFC fans troll Chael Sonnen as the war of words gets intense between Islam Makhachev and the American promoter
Chael Sonnen (photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty) and Islam Makhachev (photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Islam Makhachev's move up across the weight division might not have received the desired unanimous support, with the American podcaster Chael Sonnen disregarding the fighter's step in the recent Good Guy/Bad Guy episode. While his podcast partner Daniel Cormier jumped in to defend the Dagestani fighter, Makhachev recently issued a statement while lashing out at Chael's opinion. Makhachev's post was met with an instant reply from the American promoter. Chael Sonnen instantly replies to Islam Makhachev's statement, receives immediate backlash from the fan community Fans of the MMA community were hyped when former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria decided to vacate the championship belt and move up the weight division, with Islam Makhachev still holding the lightweight crown. Ever since the move up, Topuria constantly called out Makhachev for a title fight but was met with no response. El Matador waited for a long time before finally getting a title shot against Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title after the Dagestani fighter decided to vacate the belt and move up to the welterweight division following Belal Muhammad's loss to Jack Della Maddalena. However, Makhachev's move up has not been unanimously supported across the MMA community. In a recent Good Guy/Bad Guy episode, American podcaster and former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen stated, 'The bottom line is you entered a division openly that you said you wouldn't face one of the top guys. That's not a sign of courage. That's a sign of cowardice. I don't love the idea." Islam Makhachev moving up is an act of cowardice - Chael Sonnen [FULL SHOW] | Good Guy / Bad Guy While former MMA fighter Daniel Cormier came in to defend the Dagestani fighter, Makhachev himself stepped up to post on his social media account, X, slamming Sonnen's statement. The fighter wrote, 'Chasing hype and money is not the same as chasing greatness in sport. But average athlete, who built his way to the top with cheap trash talk, won't understand that. So please seat and watch how others doing it, uncle Chael. #doublechamp' It wasn't long before the American promoter reacted to Makhachev's statement, 'In fact It wouldn't be the first time YOUR guy and the OTHER guy, BOTH used material they begged me to give 'em to become interesting…' Fans instantly reacted to the war of words, trolling Sonnen for his statement. One of the users wrote, 'You did nothing in the sport no one will remember you' Another user wrote, 'You don't have no legacy Chael. Sit down and shut up and stop yapping about Islam. You got beat up in your prime so bad that you forgot your own prime itself' 'Chael Sonnen talks about attention while, at the same time, lying about other fighters on his YouTube channel just to get ATTENTION.' Also read: 'An immediate rematch' - MMA fans sends in requests to UFC executives after Belal Muhammad's training clips go viral Throughout his pro-MMA career, Makhachev has suffered defeat only once, during the initial stages of his UFC journey. After securing the lightweight belt against Oliveira, Makhachev defended the title four times before finally moving up the weight class. With an aim to become a two-division champion, the Dagestani fighter will be facing the current welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena towards the end of this year. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Islam Makhachev Responds to Chael Sonnen After Criticism for Not Defending Title
Islam Makhachev is eyeing a new challenge—and a second belt. The reigning lightweight king has set his sights on welterweight gold in a bid to join the exclusive double champ club. While many see the move as bold, not everyone agrees it's the right play. And for the usually composed Makhachev, some recent criticism hit a nerve. UFC veteran and media personality Chael Sonnen didn't mince words on a recent Good Guy/Bad Guy segment with Daniel Cormier on ESPN MMA. Weighing in on Makhachev's jump to welterweight, Sonnen framed the decision as a retreat rather than a bold career step. 'You have an undefeated, #1 ranked world champion who's chasing you down… You are so interested in getting away from this guy, that you leave your belt,' Sonnen claimed, referencing Ilia Topuria—who, while not officially ranked #1 at lightweight on paper, holds the featherweight title and is widely viewed as a top threat. Topuria has publicly stated that the UFC promised him a lightweight title shot—and in his words, they've kept that promise. Those comments clearly struck a chord. Makhachev fired back with a sharp message on social media: 'Chasing hype and money is not the same as chasing greatness in sport. But average athlete, who built his way to the top with cheap trash talk, won't understand that. So please seat and watch how others doing it, uncle Chael. #doublechamp' The debate over whether champions should defend or seek legacy-defining glory is hardly new. Some argue Makhachev owes the division a defense. Others say chasing a second title is the ultimate test of greatness, echoing moves made by Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, and Amanda Nunes. Islam MakhachevGetty Images And with Topuria emerging as a rising star and newly announced challenger in the lightweight mix, the spotlight on Makhachev's next move only intensifies. For now, Makhachev seems locked in—focused on making history, no matter who's talking. Advertisement Related: Dricus Du Plessis Sends Explicit Response to Contender Ahead of UFC 319 Related: Charles Oliveira Issues a Brutal Warning to Ilia Topuria Before UFC 317 Islam Makhachev Responds to Chael Sonnen After Criticism for Not Defending Title first appeared on Athlon Sports on May 22, 2025
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Chael Sonnen urges Valentina Shevchenko to drop the "nice girl act" after UFC 315 title defence
Retired UFC fighter and analyst Chael Sonnen has complained about UFC Women's Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko's public persona despite her dominant performance at UFC 315 . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Chael Sonnen is of the opinion that 'The Bullet' has all it takes to be a mainstream star but lacks in marketing herself to the fans as she does not embrace her so-called natural 'heel' character, according to him. Sonnen believes Shevchenko should embrace a villainous persona Valentina Shevchenko defended her flyweight strap against Manon Fiorot by unanimous decision on May 10, 2025, at UFC 315, Montreal, thus extending her legendary career. After UFC 315, Chael Sonnen was a little sceptical about the way in which Valentina Shevchenko behaves in public, saying that her attempts to appear as a 'nice girl' are against what he thinks she really is. In his YouTube channel, Chael Sonnen said that Valentina Shevchenko is more of a heel, or a villain in the world of MMA storytelling. Chael has a Problem with Valentina Shevchenko… The former UFC fighter and commentator contended that Valentina Shevchenko 's glorious background (fluency in seven languages, elite martial arts credentials, and alleged military training) provides a much more compelling picture than her current image. Chael Sonnen believes that an athlete like her, who has been dominant in several combat disciplines and hails from a family of fighters, does not need to start to soften her public image to appeal to the fans or increase her legacy. Record-breaking champion faces potential super fight opportunity Although Sonnen puts her marketing strategy under attack, Valentina Shevchenko keeps breaking records in the octagon. At 37, she was the oldest fighter to defend a title in the middleweight division after her UFC 315 win. This accomplishment put her in the ranks of the best, as she became the sixth fighter in UFC history to win ten title fights. The champion is now staring at a career-defining opportunity as UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Zhang Weili publicly challenges her after UFC 315. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Weili, who outpointed Tatiana Suarez in February, seems to be prepared to go up in weight to become a double-champion. "Congratulations to the champion. It has all come together perfectly, it's destiny,' Zhang Weili said on Instagram after the Valentina Shevchenko victory. Fans can watch the post-fight interview with Valentina Shevchenko and see the highlights of UFC 315 on the official UFC YouTube channel and UFC Fight Pass streaming service. Also Read: Despite criticism of her public persona, Valentina Shevchenko's in-ring dominance continues cementing her legacy as one of the greatest female fighters in mixed martial arts history.
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Belal Muhammad reveals how he 'almost had foot AMPUTATED' six months ago, as he lifts lid on gruesome injury ahead of UFC 315 title showdown
Belal Muhammad has spoken in detail for the first time about what could have been a career-ending, even life-threatening injury last year. The UFC welterweight champion, who faces Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 in Montreal on Saturday night, suffered a bone infection so severe that he could have had his foot amputated. UFC legend Chael Sonnen had previously claimed Muhammad almost died, saying: 'Are you aware that it was on the fence whether he was going to live or die, all through an infection that came through his toe? You're probably not. 'When Belal was released, he dropped down to see how many push-ups he could do — five, that's what he got to. 'Anyone that got that sick, anyone who got that weak, if they've got to turn it around and be the baddest man on Earth, and they've got months to do it — I think that you would understand where there is some question. 'What a stud Belal is. He's not going to tell you anything. He is not going to tell you that he almost died, he's not going to tell you about the toe, he's not going to tell you about lying in the bed, crying. But I'm choosing to do it because he deserves credit.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) But Muhammad has in fact now spoken about the ordeal, saying: 'Since it got infected and the toe was broken, the infection went straight into the bone and got in there quicker. So it spread a lot faster. 'If it was just on the skin, then it would've been easier to deal with it and the antibiotics would've worked and it wouldn't have spread as fast but he said since the toe was broken, it went into the toe and it went into the bone right away. 'Then, it was starting to spread so he had to get in there right away.' 'He (the doctor) was like, "If you'd waited a couple more days, it would have grown up the foot. Since you're healthy, luckily most the people that have bone infections are diabetics and a lot of the time I'm cutting it right away. I'm either cutting a toe, cutting a foot – it's coming off. But, luckily for you, we'll give you four weeks, hopefully the antibiotics will kick in, it'll work and we'll see it but I see you being healthy and your body fighting it." 'Thank God it was,' Muhammad reflected. For the American-Palestinian fighter to have recovered to the extent he steps back into the octagon this weekend is a remarkable achievement in itself. Having beaten Leon Edwards to claim the belt last year, Muhammad is now looking to launch his reign as champion. He has not suffered defeat since 2019 and Maddalena will know exactly what he's up against. Muhammad's aggressive wrestling approach will be aiming to shut down the Australian's fluid striking in much the same we he did against Edwards. The main event takes place in Montreal, Canada this Saturday at around 5am UK time and Mail Sport's live blog will provide updates from the pre-lims onwards at 1am.
