Chael Sonnen Handstand
In another universe, at UFC on Fox 2, Chael Sonnen will still be fighting his original opponent, Mark Munoz. Fortunately, we live in the best universe where Chael Sonnen instead fights Michael Bisping. The UFC planned for the two controversial fighters to be the coaches for the fourteenth season of the Ultimate Fighter, but Chael's issues with the California commission and Keith Kizer's personal vendetta prevented that plan from coming to fruition.
Jonathan Snowden, the lead MMA writer on Bleacher Report, had the opportunity to speak with not only Sonnen but also his coaches to find out how the gangster from West Linn, Oregon is handling the change in opponent.
"We were actually kind of happy. We weren't really concerned at all. In a way, we thought this wasn't that much different than the Brian Stann fight," Sonnen's head coach Scott McQuary said. "Except Stann hits a hell of a lot harder...Bisping breaks easily. I think he's mentally weak. Watch how he fought Dan Henderson. I think he was totally intimidated. And I think he's going to be intimidated by Chael too...Chael is such a hard worker and he has such a fast past. Bisping is much more lackadaisical."
Emphasis mine. Judging from Scott McQuary's response, the Sonnen camp doesn't have much respect for Michael Bisping's skills. They know that Chael is a dominant wrestler who should be able to get takedown after takedown. They also know that while Bisping is a competent grappler, there is no real danger of being submitted by the Brit. Snowden did attempt to get an answer out of Sonnen but received little insight into his mindset with Sonnen playing dumb whenever asked about the fight.
Chael Sonnen and Michael Bisping square off this weekend for a shot at Anderson Silva's belt. That title fight is rumored to happen in Sao Paulo this summer at the Estadio do Morumbi, which will hold around 70,000 people. It should be added that Sonnen has said on record that he doesn't believe that Silva will accept the fight.
0 recs | 95 comments
All together now...
“I must break you.”
Flashking - January 24, 2012 via mobile
Good to know Snowden is doing well. Love that guys stuff. Never feels right when a guy who will be in a seat cageside talks shit on the guy who will be in there fighting it out, win or lose. Mike Tysons insane rantings before fights were entertaining, when that ‘Crocodile’ joker joined in it sounded pathetic.
sheikybaby - January 24, 2012
There is no for Chael to be concerned
This is an easier fight for him. Bisping is a worse wrestler and has less power than Munoz. Does anyone see Bisping winning this fight?
MrPants - January 24, 2012
Some will say yes…but they don’t even believe it
Afrotikiman - January 24, 2012 via mobile
if it was a 5 rounder
i would give bisping a good chance
a 3 round fight with Chael is a death sentence.
but ill be rooting for bisping, somehow it would be more amusing if he won
elmojo - January 24, 2012
Why do you think a 5 rd fight would help Bisping? Just curious?
DayGeaux - January 24, 2012
Presumably
Because it gives Bisping a greater amount of time in which to attempt to submit Sonnen.
Drunken cutman - January 24, 2012
Yeah but Bispings not known for his subs? I just figured it was because of Chael’s breakdown in the Anderson fight.
DayGeaux - January 24, 2012
He subbed Ross Pointon, so he’ll most likely submit Chael Sonnen
Skoobs - January 24, 2012
Ahahahah. Y am I the only one that laughed at this?
GSP_RAMPAGE_COUTURE - January 24, 2012 via mobile
More a case of Sonnen being given greater time to make a mistake
Than Bisping having a greater amount of time to do something well, perhaps?
Drunken cutman - January 24, 2012
I'm curious as well
discoandherpes - January 24, 2012
It would be amusing when Bisping stepped into the cage with Silva for sure.
I really hope both men get a crack at The Spider.
NickRingp4pGOAT - January 24, 2012
Mike was visibly terrified against Dan
I doubt it will be that obvious this time but he has to know he could be in for a long night
Earl Montclair - January 24, 2012
Yeah Bisping never looked right in that fight
Chael is a lot less scary, and I expect Bisping to be a lot more composed. End result is probably still a loss, but I could see Bisping making it tough/close.
Dave Strummer - January 24, 2012
I agree, Bisping did look a bit intimadated against Henderson
However, I wouldn’t say that he “breaks easily”. I think Mike is mentally pretty tough. He is confident in his ability to stand with anyone and he’s never refused a fight.
@KatanaClothing - January 24, 2012
I wasn't the only one who winced when I saw that Snowden was at BR, right?
It’s like leaving the UFC for BAMMA.
On actual topic: agreed that Bisping was scared of Hendo, not sure if Chael will put fear into him or just piss him off (not that being angry will help him).
menckenstein - January 24, 2012
I think it's a good fit
I have nothing against the guy personally, I don’t know him outside of his writing. During the end of his time here his articles were very short and didn’t have that much to them…. Kind of like slides at BR. I hope he does well, he knows a ton and has great insight sometimes.
soilworker - January 24, 2012
Same here
BR was absolutely terrible. They’ve gotten a little better lately…
Shaun32887 - January 24, 2012
It’s more like leaving the UFC for Rio Heroes
Machiel Van - January 24, 2012
meh
i hope he’s doing well wherever he goes, i just never understood all the hate he got.
dude used to write stuff i disagreed with, but i kept reading his content because he at least raised great points and gave a different take on certain things for me.
as far as viewing this as some sort of demotion, i dunno. as long as they treat him right over there, it’s all good.
as far as the fear/intimidation factor, i think it has less to do with fear and more with Bisping being intimidated by the jump in the level of competition [Hendo, Wand, etc] than by the individuals themselves. i just don’t feel he’s scared of anyone in particular.
Victor Rodriguez - January 24, 2012
Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven - Paradise Lost
i disagree
Cunny - January 24, 2012
I hate bleacher report
Gideon Jay - January 24, 2012
I don't think Bisping will get broken
but he’ll be too busy attempting to defend Chael’s wrestling to win the fight. Hes got good enough defensive grappling but I don’t think he’ll be able to put out much offensive this fight.
Bisping catching Chael in a triangle would be pretty funny and it would allow us to see Bisping get ko’d by Silva, but I’d rather Chael win and rematch Anderson. Its just a better fight.
Tats16 - January 24, 2012
BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
BLEACHER REPORT
OH MY FUCK SERIOUSLY SNOWDEN
GREAT FUCKING CAREER MOVE
Tune in next week for Snowden’s Top 10 Reasons Nick Diaz Can Beat Your Favorite Fighter (in slideshow format!)
Paulo Filho's Psychiatrist - January 24, 2012
"My faverite 142 knockout KOs from MMA boxing and john claud van damn movies"
[136 broken links]
menckenstein - January 24, 2012
uh, im not sure youre allowed to do this here.
people are watching.
gspmademegay - January 24, 2012
Bisping via 3rd round triangle choke!
calling it nao
pornflake - January 24, 2012
Chael should just say
Bisping’s biggest wins are Chris Leban, a weird Mayhem Miller, and a win against hammil which wasn’t even a win. Guy folds against top fighters.
NEW-HAMPSHIRE - January 24, 2012
Not really
Apparently, Sonnen’s coach has not been paying attention. Sonnen breaks easily and especially under pressure. Yes, Bisping fought very defensively against Dan Henderson…most fighters do. They call him “Dangerous” Dan for a reason. I could see if we were talking about some second or third tier fighter but Dan Henderson has some of the most vicious knockouts in MMA history. Bisping is a very good fighter and it would be a mistake to under estimate him. I have never seen him give up. He fights to the end and is always trying to win. I would not automatically give the edge to Sonnen on the ground because he is most definitely subject to being submitted. Ground and pound? Yes, that is his staple but he has shown a few times that he makes mistakes which leave him open for submissions.
angelofpeace - January 24, 2012
Agreed all the way.
I can see Sonnen having a good 3-round performance but I just don’t see him steam-rolling Bisping. Neither fighter has KO power. Bisping is no slouch on the floor.
I am surprised that this coach is looking at Bisping’s fight against Henderson as a measure of his performance. Henderson tends to make some fighters look bad.
VeeisAnimated - January 24, 2012
Snowden joined Bleacher Report!?
Horselover Fat - January 24, 2012
menckenstein - January 24, 2012
Thanks for this.
I will NEVER check out bleacher report now.
Clay Davis - January 24, 2012
i have so many words but I at the same time have no words
Earl Montclair - January 24, 2012
I'd rather watch Steven Tyler take it up the poopchute from Keith Richards
than remember that particular halftime show ever occurred.
Paulo Filho's Psychiatrist - January 24, 2012
“I’d rather watch Steven Tyler take it up the poopchute from Keith Richards.”
Is that this year’s halftime show?
how the F do you stop the blockquote? still haven’t figured that out.
Hardy's in your face - January 24, 2012
put a / in there like w/ bbcode or html
menckenstein - January 24, 2012
Hardy's in your face - January 24, 2012
I usually just mark / highlight the text I want in the block quote, then press the button
Horselover Fat - January 24, 2012
ok. think i got it now. are you guys special needs educators?
Hardy's in your face - January 24, 2012
No I just have excellent coping skills
Someday I’m gonna try to drink from a cup without a lid.
menckenstein - January 24, 2012
Well, I’ve worked tech support and stuff like that, so basically, yes.
Horselover Fat - January 24, 2012
That was 2004.
Paulo Filho's Psychiatrist - January 24, 2012
that kind of trauma stays with you forever.
Victor Rodriguez - January 24, 2012
indeed
Black Eyed Peas = Shitpoo.
This is well known.
That doughy bitch can shake her cellulite feedbags all night long while wearing tin foil, but it won’t make me work up a mansize prick, so what’s the point? Fail.
glib_mf - January 25, 2012
If anyone can be submitted by Bisping, it'll be Chael. He can find a way.
That said, I still expect Chael to win by three rounds of wrestling.
pud333 - January 24, 2012
This is something I'm going to get weirdly excited for
Seeing if even Bisping can get the sub on Sonnen, while Sonnen’s in his guard.
(This sounded a lot less homoerotic in my head)
Jobumoplata - January 24, 2012
So Sonnen's head trainer is a Judo black-belt?
Weird…you’d think a wrestling based fighter would have another wrestler as his head coach, and given his penchant for getting sub’ed you’d think he want a BJJ Blackbelt in there for the submission/ground positions (i.e. Hi, Chael, let’s learn a few guard passes!)
Maybe Judo just meshes better w/ wrestling though. Isn’t Xtreme-Cotoure’s head-coach a Judo black-belt?
jhf884 - January 24, 2012
So that’s where Snowden went! I’ve never been to Bleacher Report before, but will make sure to check it once in a while to see what he’s writting about. People hated him here, but a little of BE died the day he left for MMA Nation…
Shnak - January 24, 2012
Don't check the bleacher report
Seriously, nothing good can come of it.
discoandherpes - January 24, 2012
But then how will I know what the “Top Ten Favorite Candies for UFC Fighters” are?
Machiel Van - January 24, 2012
I'd rather check their stool than go read BR to find out
menckenstein - January 24, 2012
THIS GUY
is really bringing the heat today! I call him THE BUDDHIST PROTESTER, because he’s on fire!
Paulo Filho's Psychiatrist - January 24, 2012
I laughed so hard.
As soon as I read THIS GUY I automatically switched into Gruden reading mode.
T.C. Engel - January 24, 2012
John Gruden is truly abhorrent
Chuckie is dogshit.
That is all.
glib_mf - January 25, 2012
Seriously,
nice one!
DankNabbot - January 24, 2012
Snowden is one of the better MMA writters out there. He deserves to be read, no matter who pays him.
Shnak - January 24, 2012
Bookmark his profile page and go straight there
The rest of the site will make you dumber just through exposure.
Shaun32887 - January 24, 2012
That’s exactly what I’m planning to do.
Shnak - January 24, 2012
No way Bisping gets 'broken'
Frustrated for sure but if anyone is pillow hands in mma its Chael he dominates people hitting them 10x as much as hes hit and they come out looking like they have been for a sauna not in a fight.
I think this is the worst fight possible for Bisping I really think its a massively in sonnens favour but it will be because sonnen out wrestles him but wont be doing anything to break bisping.
Mustardfinger - January 24, 2012
Sonnen by RNC
Bisping is terrible. Sonnen will choke him out.
glib_mf - January 25, 2012
With all of that time Chael will have working over Bisping from top , I’m thinking he has near 50% chance of working a sub and getting a stoppage. Bisping may or may not break but he will be extremely frustrated and wont have shit to offer in terms of offense except some pitter patter just before he gets his ass hauled to the mat.
Hardy's in your face - January 24, 2012
I remember thinking he was breaking against Wandy also.
Sqwibbs - January 24, 2012
He was but Bisping has an excellent corner
He doesn’t always listen, but they identify anything he’s doing wrong and try to pound it into his head without discouraging him. “STOP CIRCLING TO THE LEFT MIKE!!!!!! STOP CIRCLING TO THE LEFT!!!!”
menckenstein - January 24, 2012
Even Mike Goldberg was telling him to stop circling to the left.
He just didn’t listen.
KatGirl - January 24, 2012
I find it hard to pay attention to good advice when I'm being hunted by Dan Henderson too
menckenstein - January 24, 2012
True.
I was just impressed that Goldie noticed it and mentioned it.
KatGirl - January 24, 2012
Goldie's big moment and we missed it
We’re bad parents, everyone.
menckenstein - January 24, 2012
Yeah he was caught in the lights of a freight train and simply kept standing on the tracks
UncleMax - January 24, 2012
And that, kids, is why you don't wake up i-
That was the joke, huh?
dajulzta - January 24, 2012 via Android app
To be fair,
that is one of the easier problems in all of MMA to identify. Circle away from the power hand!
The key is correcting the bad habit (or making sure it is never formed in the first place), which they haven’t been able to do. Normally, I cut some slack here, b/c habits are notoriously hard to get rid of, but Bisping has been with the same team since he was a kid, yeah? Odds are he formed the bad habit there as well. It may be that this is just how he is and no team could have prevented it, but still…
jhf884 - January 24, 2012
computer fail
jhf884 - January 24, 2012
Weird,
the comment wasn’t showing up completely, but now it is…
jhf884 - January 25, 2012
I've said it before and I believe....
…..this will be an easy win for Chael. The only way Bisping wins is if he hits and runs the entire 3 rounds and out points Chael. I still don’t see it happening. For all you guys thinking he didn’t break against Dan that’s funny. The first time he felt Dans power he decided to go for the take down. When his taked owns were stuffed, you saw the fear of God go into Bisping and remember Dans smirk? That was a thing of beauty. Bisping talked a great game but doesn’t have the game to back it up.
Bisping will get smashed in this fight IMO.
Taiter - January 24, 2012
I believe Sonnen is going to finish this fight by the 3rd, and possibly as soon as the 2nd. He wants the rematch and will crush Bisping for being in his way
troyd - January 24, 2012
Agreed....I think he finishes it too.
Taiter - January 24, 2012
I have to admit I am baffled
By the fact that people can hate GSP and love Chael. I am serious. Is it the accent? When I see a Sonnen fight I know I am gonna get a heavy does of takedowns and stifling if not powerful GnP. He’s like the Tito Ortiz-light of right now-actually, on reflection, I think Tito was way better. His striking is soft and I find his fights boring. He lost to some questionable opponents. Take away his performance vs the champ and what do you have left- are we even talking about this guy? I think if he never fought Silva he’d be Mark Munoz. Whereas GSP has great striking, IMO better wrestling as well, and fights consistently better opposition in what are, every fight, 5 round affairs.
Chael has, (according to the UFC fighter info page) exactly ONE FINISH vs Stann. Every other win was a decision. (Munoz has 6 finishes, so I will retract my earlier comparison.)
I just can’t figure out what the hell is the appeal other than one solid effort in a loss. WTF PEOPLE! That guy should pray he never faces Silva again. Because if he loses he is NOBODY again. And if he gets KOd, well, BUH bye! (Or even triangled, lol)
DankNabbot - January 24, 2012
Chael is non stop in your face action. His last performance was complete dominance with very fast high level ground work. it’s all about what have you done for me lately. Chael has delivered on his end and even includes some over the top humor that only he could pull off. The guy is a piece of work if there ever was one. His life experience…,never watching other sports, always travelling with his aunt , training with his mom etc.. is so much different than everybody else’s so his perspective is always very interesting.
I feel a bit hypocritical appreciating Chael while simultaneously being a lil too eager to fade pro wrestling theatrics . I guess it’s a matter of subtlty.
Hardy's in your face - January 24, 2012
So what you're saying is...
it is just the spectacle of post-Silva Chael Sonnen? And the fact that while his GnP is soft he is active? It’s hard for me to accept “high level ground work” as a descriptor for a fighter who has finished one middle of the pack fighter. To me you have just described Charlie Brenneman and Tyrone Woodly too, maybe with a bit more striking. Maybe it’s the “very fast” part. I dunno, I am honestly trying to figure out, or pin down what the deal is. Do you ever have one of those moments where you feel like you missed an important email that everyone else got? That’s what I feel like with the phenomenon of Chael Sonnen. I feel like I am taking crazy pills. I still feel like while he maintained top position, in NO WAY was Silva out of that fight mentally- out of his preferred position, yes, and kudos to the guy for that. But Silva was avoiding damage and working for a sub the whole time. Rewatching the fight, I remain convinced that the simple fact that he lasted as long as he did and kept the champ on his back just blew everyone’s mind and the shock distorted what was actually going on. And for me the story was: damn dude, even on an off night, Silva has elements to his game we haven’t seen yet, and he is damn good off his back. Damn good. Oh well. I think I should’ve worked harder and made this my first fan post, but w/e. I’ve watched that fight like 5 times to figure it out. Gonna rewatch some of his other fights and try to get it. Peace out.
DankNabbot - January 24, 2012
Chael’s last fight in particular was all one way traffic. It’s worth another watch. Some people didn’t appreciate it for the domination that it was. Chael moved fast and purposefully and made stann look like a rook. No one had totally owned Stan like that certainly not at MW. Couple that with winnig 4 straight rounds against AS and you have somebody on a roll. Bottom line He’s obviously top tier MW and he is by far the most entertaining fighter pre and post fight.
Hardy's in your face - January 24, 2012
Really???
Ask Nate, Stann and Silva if his G& P is soft. What a silly comment Dank.
Taiter - January 24, 2012
"always travelling with his aunt, training with his mom"
Wait, what?
How did I miss these stories?
jhf884 - January 24, 2012
Bisping's best path to victory
Is by cutting Chael. He’s a bleeder.
IKiIIed007 - January 24, 2012
Cut em' up
inthepipes - January 24, 2012
Sonnen always gets cut and keeps going.
He aint got time to bleed
IRodC - January 24, 2012
Predator!
Just like Jesse in Predator. Hell yeah.
glib_mf - January 25, 2012
Guys don't turn this into a 'We hate Bleacher Report' comment section
Snowden is doing good work over there.
Matthew Roth - January 24, 2012
BUT I HATE BLEACHER REPORT SO DAM MUCH!
T.C. Engel - January 24, 2012
And that's how we know when Bisping's mad.
Seriously, if BE was so bad there wouldn’t be a link on the front page, nor would it be quoted for this article, player.
dajulzta - January 24, 2012 via Android app
*BR
my bad, man
dajulzta - January 24, 2012 via Android app
maybe Snowden can help turn the BR overall quality up.
At least in the MMA section.
I won’t hate. A brother’s gotta get paid.
The Hamburger Pimp - January 24, 2012 via mobile
Yeah dude.
Seriously, there’s so much butthurt in this section! Over news (re: Mr. Snowden’s employment) that is sooo 2 weeks ago. lulz!
dajulzta - January 24, 2012 via Android app
That font!!!
I selected the “no style” option in Firefox and it turns out this is a good piece.
Bolshevik - January 25, 2012
No one knows this "Snowden" character
What truly matters is that Chael must humble and dominate Senor Fucknuts in this fight and get back to what makes all MMA fans tune in to their dial-up modems: four months of straight shit-talkin’ as he verbally lambastes “The Spider” in the buildup to his championship fight.
WAR CHAEL
glib_mf - January 25, 2012
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