Chael Sonnen: MMA superstar, American gangster...and bad guy...speaks his mind, drops knowledge and sounds off as the absolute authoritative voice in the world of combat sports. Join Chael as he runs life inside and out of the Octagon, with inside knowledge and unrivaled perspective. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
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Rafael Fiziev Steps in Vs. Justin Gaethje at UFC 313! Plus, Francis Ngannou “Wasn’t That Confident” Against Tyson Fury
Friday, February 28, 2025 • Duration 47:26
On today’s episode, Rafael Fiziev steps up on short notice to replace Dan Hooker at UFC 313 against Justin Gaethje. While Fiziev said yes, Gaethje is also revealing the names that said no - including Dustin Poirier. Then, I tell you why it was a dirty move for Chris Eubank Jr. to slap Conor Benn in the face with an egg. Plus, Francis Ngannou admits he wasn’t fully confident before the Tyson Fury fight, and I really appreciate his honesty.
Also, what will Henry Cejudo do next? Darren Till also wants to return to the UFC; remember that time he fought Dricus Du Plessis in a close fight? And finally, I tell you what I enjoyed from the most recent FloWrestling Night in America.
To support this program, please leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or submit a rating on my Spotify page.
CHAPTERS:
Gaethje vs. Fiziev 2 (00:00)
Gaethje reveals names (06:35)
Eubank Jr. slaps Benn with egg (14:06)
Ngannou: “I wasn’t that confident” (19:14)
Cejudo's next career move (24:42)
Remembering Till vs. Du Plessis (30:52)
FloWrestling (34:47)
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UFC Seattle Reaction! Plus, Charles Oliveira Won’t Fight Ilia Topuria?
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 • Duration 48:21
On today’s episode, I look back at UFC Seattle. Why does Brendan Allen keep losing, and how can he get back on track? Then, I give my take on the eye poke that led to the unceremonious end to Song Yadong's defeat of Henry Cejudo, and I tell you how I think the UFC should I’ll share my thoughts on how the UFC should handle eye pokes. And how the heck did Anthony Hernandez end up with the nickname ‘Fluffy’?
I also hear Charles Oliveira won’t fight Ilia Topuria because Oliveira thinks he deserves a title shot. Meanwhile, with Michael Chandler now booked against Paddy Pimblett, I'm saying I told you so when it comes to Conor McGregor.
To support this program, please leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or submit a rating on my Spotify page.
CHAPTERS:
Brendan Allen's downward spial (00:00)
Cejudo vs. Song (08:35)
Eye pokes (15:57)
The "Fluffy" nickname (25:10)
Oliveira won't fight Ropuria (29:07)
I told ya so! (37:51)
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Ilia Topuria Vacates Featherweight Title! Is Islam Makhachev Next? Plus, Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes Set For UFC 314
Friday, February 21, 2025 • Duration 49:11
On today’s episode, I react to a slew of breaking news! Ilia Topuria has vacated his featherweight title, and I explain why I respect him for making the move. Then, Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes will fight for vacant belt, and I tell you what excites me most about this fight.
Also, with Shavkat Rakhmonov unable to fight at UFC 315, I give my thoughts on Jack Della Maddalena stepping in as his replacement.
Plus, I try to make sense of Henry Cejudo fighting Song Yadong this weekend at UFC Seattle. And ahead of his title defense against Magomed Ankalaev, I argue why Alex Pereira losing that fight may actually work in his favor. And finally, is Conor McGregor going to fight for BKFC?
To support this program, please leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or submit a rating on my Spotify page.
CHAPTERS:
Topuria vacates belt (00:00)
Volk vs. Lopes (08:04)
JDM's title shot (12:37)
UFC Seattle (16:18)
UFC 313 (23:27)
McGregor to BKFC (34:23)
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Gilbert Burns Leaked My Phone Number!
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 • Duration 54:47
On today’s episode, I return to mid-December when Gilbert Burns gave me an early Christmas present by posting my phone number online because I claimed he was retired. So, I take your calls and texts (while learning how to group-FaceTime) and try to figure out whether Burns is retired, and what his next matchup should be if he isn’t.
To support this program, please leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or submit a rating on my Spotify page.
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Stipe Miocic: Francis Ngannou Would Beat Jon Jones! Plus, Nate Diaz Back to the UFC?
Friday, February 14, 2025 • Duration 48:13
On today’s episode, I talk about Eric Nicksick's criticism of Sean Strickland’s “uninspiring” performance at UFC 312. Then, Nate Diaz called me, and he told me he wants back with the UFC. Plus, Stipe Miocic claims Francis Ngannou would beat Jon Jones, but does the MMA math back him up? And finally, Dana White gets challenged by the Pillow Fighting Championship, and Paddy Pimblett wants to welcome Ilia Topuria to the lightweight division.
To support this program, please leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or submit a rating on my Spotify page.
CHAPTERS:
Eric Nicksick's criticism (00:00)
Nate Diaz's UFC return (7:34)
Stipe Miocic's take on Jones vs. Ngannou (12:45)
Defending Jones (21:52)
Dana White vs. Pillow Fighting Championship (28:25)
Paddy vs. Topuria? (36:31)
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Should Dricus du Plessis Have Called Out Someone Else After UFC 312? Plus, My Dominick Cruz Story!
Tuesday, February 11, 2025 • Duration 38:19
On today’s episode, I recap UFC 312, and I tell you why I’m pumping the brakes on calling Zhang Weili the best fighter in the UFC following her impressive win over Tatiana Suarez. Plus, just how good is Dricus du Plessis after his dominant over Sean Strickland? And with DDP's callout of Alex Pereira after the fight, I can't help but wonder whether that was the right move for the middleweight champ. And is DDP really the "nice guy" he appears to be? I have my doubts.
And finally, I share a funny store about Dominick Cruz on the heels of the former champ's retirement.
To support this program, please leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or submit a rating on my Spotify page.
CHAPTERS:
Zhang Weili's greatness (00:00)
DDP's ceiling? (6:28)
DDP calls out Pereira (16:13)
DDP - good or bad guy? (24:29)
Dominick Cruz story (28:32)
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UFC 312 Preview! Plus, Israel Adesanya Should Retire and Kevin Lee's Leaked Training Footage
Friday, February 7, 2025 • Duration 01:00:23
On today’s episode, I break down why now is the perfect time for Israel Adesanya to retire. Then, I give my thoughts on Conor McGregor spitting on a fan in Las Vegas after getting taunted. Plus, whoever leaked Kevin Lee’s training footage owes him an apology. And why is Ilia Topuria so eager to fight Islam Makhachev?
Then, the UFC 312 press conference was one of the nastiest ones I’ve ever seen. And, last week I questioned why Alex Pereira decided to corner Sean Strickland, and now Strickland has given us an answer. Also, Strickland sparred a fan, and I don't understand why this USELESS tradition still exists.
To support this program, please leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or submit a rating on my Spotify page.
CHAPTERS:
Adesanya should retire (00:00)
McGregor spitting incident (07:48)
Kevin Lee's leaked training video (15:07)
Topuria wants to fight Makhachev (20:31)
Du Plessis vs. Strickland press conference (28:58)
Pereira cornering Strickland (38:25)
Strickland spars fan (47:33)
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UFC Saudi Arabia Reaction! Plus, Did Khabib Nurmagomedov Give Conor McGregor PTSD and Ruin His Life?
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 • Duration 53:02
On today’s episode, I react to what we saw this past weekend at UFC Saudi Arabia, including my issue with Michael ‘Venom’ Page being the underdog in his win over Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov, and why I don’t envy the position that Israel Adesanya finds himself in after losing to Nassourdine Imavov. Plus, Dana White said he will explore other options if they can’t make Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall happen, even though I don’t believe Jones has officially been offered that fight yet. Then, why I should’ve begun investing in TKO earlier. And finally, did Khabib Nurmagomedov give Conor McGregor PTSD? And why is McGregor attacking fellow countryman Paul Hughes?
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To support this program, please leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or submit a rating on my Spotify page.
CHAPTERS
Shara Bullet vs MVP (00:00)
Adesanya’s future (9:12)
Dana White on Jones vs. Aspinall (17:34)
TKO’s success (23:37)
Khabib, Conor, & PTSD (32:26)
Conor attacks Paul Hughes (40:26)
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Alex Pereira to Corner Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya’s Legacy, and I'm Calling B.S.!
Friday, January 31, 2025 • Duration 01:02:57
On today’s episode, I’ll explain why I’m mad about Jake and Logan Paul’s most recent publicity stunt. Then, former rivals Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya are friends now ... do we like that? And, Adesanya says his legacy is cemented -- I’ll tell you whether I agree with him. Also, Shara 'Bullet' Magomedov states the obvious, Alex Pereira is cornering Sean Strickland at UFC 312, and talks of Jon Jones fighting Tom Aspinall have gone quiet. Plus, where would you like to see Conor McGregor fight next?
To support this program, please leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or submit a rating on my Spotify page.
CHAPTERS:
Jake vs. Logan Paul (00:00)
Whittaker and Adesanya's friendship (7:05)
Adesanya’s legacy (16:17)
Shara 'Bullet' (25:39)
Pereira in Strickland’s corner (30:18)
Jones and Aspinall woes (38:49)
McGregor's next fight (48:01)
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Old Cocaine Conor! And Ilia Topuria vs. Alexander Volkanovski Leaked?
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 • Duration 53:01
On today’s episode, Jeremy Stephens calls Conor McGregor “Old Cocaine Conor," leading me to take you into the history of their beef. Then, while speaking to the media about his future plans, Islam Makhachev teased a move up to welterweight. And then, Diego Lopes wants a scrap with Alexander Volkanovski, but Bo Nickal apparently has the inside scoop for how UFC 314 will really play out. Plus, I want to know what’s motivating Israel Adesanya to fight Nassourdine Imavov this weekend in Saudi Arabia. And finally, Khamzat Chimaev promises to win a title fight in 2025, and why you should watch FloWrestling’s new docuseries “The Dual."
To support this program, please leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or submit a rating on my Spotify page.
CHAPTERS:
Stephens and McGregor (00:00)
Makhachev to 170? (9:13)
Topuria vs. Volkanovski 2 (17:24)
Adesanya v Imavov (25:05)
Chimaev title hopes (33:58)
“The Dual” (40:17)
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