A retrospective piece about the relevant years of Chael Sonnen in the limelight of MMA.
It is part one of what will be several pieces the next few days from Bloody Elbow writing staff.
It think part one was a good read and I am looking forward to the rest. I can imagine some though would still be reluctant to find much insight in this though since it doesn't offer unnecessary praise of Sonnen, but instead the many moments warranting criticism.
The rise and spectacular fall of Chael Sonnen, UFC superstar - Part one
By Brent Brookhouse @brentbrookhouse on Jul 1 2014, 4:00p
A look back at Chael Sonnen's first year as a true superstar in mixed martial arts, as he used controversial language to hype his fight with Anderson Silva, entered a guilty plea for money laundering charges and repeatedly lied to the media.
The reflexive defensiveness of MMA fans may benefit none quite like Chael Sonnen. Fans are often so willing to stand up for the sport that they forgive trespasses that would result in a sort of fan imposed banishment in other more "mainstream" sports.
It's the embodiment of why I dislike Sonnen and that so many have been eager and happy to hoist an individual like himself up to demi-god levels. Very sad. So many better people deserving of acclaim then this guy imo, but he had magnetism none the less for nothing more then badly acting like a douche.
This is all damage control, nothing more.. He will somehow still be paid by either FOX or UFC i would bet my testicles.
In AUS our football league has had a drug scandal with a nearly a whole team where having "unidentified" injections! Came out it was a banned substance! I know right! well the coach was banned for a year, But because he couldn't work they paid him 1 million dollars for that year! WTF
Iv'e always said UFC is run by gangsters, And they look after their own. Chael will be back.
Because wand isn't the dirty face of cheating in MMA. Sonnen's situation isn't comparable to Sonnen's what so ever. He has one instance of being out of compliance and was man enough to admit it. Sonnen has been a liar from the get go and fears the accountability of his actions.
You all a bunch of fuckin' assholes. You know why? You don't have the guts to be what you wanna be? You need people like me. You need people like me so you can point your fuckin' fingers and say, "That's the bad guy."
A look at the turbulent year of 2011 in the career of Chael Sonnen. Including his battles with athletic commissions and return to the cage after a suspension for his failed drug test following the first Anderson Silva bout.