Chael Sonnen Applauds Conor McGregor’s Approach At Trying To Secure Title Shot

During the premiere edition of his new “You’re Welcome” podcast, former UFC title contender Chael Sonnen spoke with veteran MMA journalist about the subject of fighters promoting themselves and their fights more effectively.

As the discussion rolled on, a few examples started coming into play, such as “The Notorious” Conor McGregor and Raphael Assuncao.

The two are the perfect examples, as right now we’re in the middle of watching Assuncao riding a 7-0 winning streak, including a win over the current champion, get passed over for the next title shot by McGregor, who is rumored to be fighting the winner of the next UFC Featherweight Championship match between Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes.

Regarding Assuncao, “The American Gangster” offered the following comment:

“I watched [Raphael] Assuncao – I know Assuncao, he’s a very nice guy and one heck of a fighter – they give him an interview the other day, it was so bad. He’s smiling there with a boyish grin. When they say, ‘Will this [win] get you the attention and the nod?’ he says, ‘I hope so.’ What kind of a way to go through life is that? Hope is not a plan. If you want something you go out and demand it. If you want something go out and claim it, say that it’s yours!”

On the flip-side of that coin, however, Sonnen applauded McGregor for his approach at trying to secure the next title shot.

“Conor McGregor showed up recently with a belt (on the UFC 178 post-fight show on FOX following his win over Dustin Poirier) and a lot of people are saying, ‘That was ridiculous.’ Well, a lot of other people thought he was the champ. A lot of people didn’t know he was just showing up with the belt, a lot of people were just tuning in. When a little old lady from Iowa turns on her TV and sees this Irishman and a twelve-pound gold belt, she’s going to assume he’s the champion. Good for Conor and bad for everybody else.”

You can check out the debut edition of Sonnen’s “You’re Welcome” podcast, which is available right now, at PodcastOne.com. New episodes of the show will drop each Wednesday at the Podcast One website.

Talk about this on our official FACEBOOK page, or on our official TWITTER page. You can also talk about it in our popular FORUMS.

Related News

Top Stories

UFC Store

VIDEO: Former Rivals Colby Covington, Kamaru Usman Have Awkward Encounter At UFC Vegas 102

Colby Covington didn't seem to get the response he was after when bumping into...

Ilia Topuria Says Dagestani MMA Fighters Lose ‘Every Competitive Fight’ Amid Talk Of Islam Makhachev Clash

UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria continues to fan the flames of a potential rivalry...

Henry Cejudo Suggests Alternative To ‘Stupid’ Sean O’Malley Rematch For Merab Dvalishvili

Ahead of his return to action this weekend, former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo...

‘That Makes Up For 312’ – Fans React To Reveal Of Full Main Card For UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev

The main card for next month's UFC 313 pay-per-view event has been confirmed —...

Youssef Zalal Accuses Calvin Kattar Of Underhanded Tactics At UFC Vegas 102: ‘Slipperiest Guy I’ve Ever Seen’

Youssef Zalal may have had his hand raised at Saturday's UFC Fight Night, but...

Anthony Smith Expected To Face Knockout Artist With 11 Straight First-Round Finishes In UFC Retirement Fight

Anthony Smith’s final walk to the Octagon is targeted for UFC Kansas City in...

Jared Cannonier Assesses Options After UFC Vegas 102 Win, Always ‘Ready’ For Dricus Du Plessis

Jared Cannonier finds himself in a positive yet somewhat uncertain position following his recent...

Chael Sonnen Calls Paddy Pimblett vs. Ilia Topuria Personal: ‘They Do Have Unfinished Business’

MMA superstar turned analyst, Chael Sonnen has carefully observed the long-running feud between Ilia...

Jared Cannonier Comes Back From Two Knockdowns To Batter Gregory Rodrigues In UFC Vegas 102 Main Event

Despite being troubled very early on in the UFC Vegas 102 main event, Jared...