Former UFC title contender and now working as an analyst for ESPN, Chael Sonnen was at one point one of the most popular UFC fighters that they’ve had in years.
Now, Sonnen is a thorn in the UFC’s side when it comes to his over the top, but the majority of the time correct information that he says not only while appearing on ESPN, but his podcast and other interviews.
Sonnen this time told Michael Landsberg on TSN’s Off the Record that UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo was ‘ducking’ No. 1 contender Conor McGregor when he withdrew from last Saturday’s UFC 189.
“Yea, I do,” Sonnen said. “I want to be responsible with my words because a guy’s health comes first but that story is extremely fugazi. Two different x-rays came out. Five different stories came out. His coach says he doesn’t want to coach him anymore.”
“Jose says he doesn’t want to be in the weight class anymore and his own teammate, after he injures him, goes on a media tour telling everybody how he did it. That was a weird, weird deal.”
McGregor would go on to beat Chad Mendes in the main event of UFC 189 for the interim UFC featherweight championship. Now, the UFC is looking to book Aldo – McGregor.
UFC President Dana White stated following UFC 189 that they brass were interested in AT&T Stadium, which is the home of the Dallas Cowboys.
However, Sonnen believes that the fight will not be happening.
“Well, our president Dana White is a gambler,” said Sonnen. “I think he will gamble and throw down a bunch of money and try to put it together again. No, I don’t imagine … I don’t know why [Aldo and McGregor] would [fight]. It’s not going to be bigger than it just was [at UFC 189] and Jose just didn’t show up.
“What’s the expression? ‘Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me.’ Come on. Jose Aldo’s pulled out of five fights. The guy’s an excellent fighter. I’m not trying to kick a guy when he’s down, but that’s a bunch of crap what he just pulled.”
What do you think? Do you think the UFC will book a fight between these two? If they do, will Aldo pull out of the fight again? Let us know in the comment area below.
