The following are highlights of a new Sporting News interview with WWE Hall Of Fame announcer Jim Ross, who makes his MMA broadcasting debut alongside Chael Sonnen this Friday night for BattleGrounds MMA in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
On how Chael Sonnen is like Paul Heyman:
“He (Sonnen) reminded me of Paul Heyman. Paul was abrasive, quick-witted, had great product knowledge, really good timing, knew when to be serious, be a bad guy and when to be entertaining. I just thought it would work, but didn’t know if he would have any interest or any legal restrictions on what he can do. Luckily, he didn’t. I think I can help him from a broadcasting side of keeping the rug in the water and driving the train.”
On transitioning from pro wrestling announcing to MMA announcing:
“I’m not going to go on the show and pretend I’m an MMA expert all of a sudden. But I’m also not ashamed of my background of being in pro wrestling. I’m a broadcaster. I’ve broadcasted NFL and XFL games. I worked my way through college broadcasting college football and basketball on a little local radio station. I’ve got a background there, but people won’t see that. Chael’s the straw that’s going to stir the drink. He may not know that yet, but he can’t score if he doesn’t have the ball. I plan on making sure he has the ball plenty of times to do what he does naturally. He doesn’t have to be anything other than what he is.”>
Check out the complete interview at SportingNews.com.
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