The rumours have been flying regarding Chael Sonnen’s reaction to his loss at UFC 148 and what could possibly be in his future. But Sonnen took the time on the “UFC on Fuel 4” to dispel notions that he was looking to file a protest contesting the result of his fight among other things.
On the knee which spelled Sonnen’s doom, Chael was both humble and contrite. A stark contrast from the “Chael P. Sonnen” character that was prevalent in the lead-up to the fight.
The knee really hurt, all those shots really hurt, but here’s the reality – we don’t do instant replay in this sport and we shouldn’t. It comes down to a judgment call. Wherever the referee says the knee landed officially, that’s where the knee landed. That’s an excellent official as they all are, he made his call and that’s the way it goes, and I will never complain or look back.
Let’s make sure we don’t call it illegal, once again the referee’s judgment is what stands. I trust in that and it works both ways. I’ve thrown knees before, the referee makes his decision, that is the decision and we live with it.
We would never appeal it except with these (fists), if we had a chance to re-do it that’s a different thing. But we would never go and appeal the decision. The decision’s the decision and part of competing is you’ve got to know how to lose. It’s real easy to win, but you’ve got to know how to lose, and sometimes you’ve got to man up, swallow it, and walk out.
When his coach Neal Melanson suggested that Sonnen may be done fighting as a result of the loss, it caused quite the stir among fans. While he didn’t outright deny he was considering it, it’s clearly not a snap decision he’s about to make.
I don’t think any athlete should even begin to talk like that or even think like that until you let about 30 days go by. In anything in life you don’t want to make a decision based on emotion, and you have very big highs and very big lows in this sport, and you don’t want to make any drastic decisions.
I also think that it’s an insult to the fans when guys like to come out and say ‘I’m retired’ when they really mean ‘I’ll see everybody in 18 months cause I’m coming back’. I don’t want to do that. When I get to that point in my career, I’ll make the statement and I’ll never look back.
Finally, there are those that have been speculating that with his recycled “Superstar” Billy Graham promos that Sonnen’s future lies in pro wrestling. But Sonnen made it clear the only time he’ll be at a pro wrestling show is as a spectator.
I tried to go to WWE, it’s in Vegas on the 16th of this month, but I was leaving Vegas. I love to go to the WWE, I get my popcorn, I cheer on C.M. Punk, but I go back to my promoter Dana White at the end of the night.
