‘That Was Awesome’: Chael Sonnen Defends Usman Nurmagomedov’s Wild Cage Jump for Umar
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Former UFC title challenger says Usman Nurmagomedov jumping into the cage is against the rules but is one of the most human things he has seen in recent times.
On 29 August at UFC Shanghai, Usman did something absolutely not allowed in the UFC. When Song Yadong knocked Umar Nurmagomedov cold in the second round, Usman didn’t wait for the cage doors to open and jumped in to help his brother.
Apart from the knockout, Usman’s antics also became a topic of discussion after the fight. Many condemned his action, but Chael Sonnen isn’t in that column.
Chael Sonnen Defends Usman Nurmagomedov
The veteran fighter turned analyst never shies away from sharing his unfazed opinion, but Sonnen might be backing the wrong horse here.
While discussing the matter on his YouTube channel, Sonnen said, "It was wrong. He's not allowed to do that. That was a bad action. Set that aside, that was awesome."
"If I had somebody in my corner, if I'm Umar, I go down, I'm in trouble, and that dude cares about me so much that he cannot let anything stop him. Including rules. Including the world's most dangerous man, Khabib. Whatever his presence in me being there meant, that was awesome," Sonnen added.
Sonnen does acknowledge that rules are rules, but leans more towards the human reality of this incident.
What Happened at UFC Shanghai?
Song Yadong landed a clean uppercut on Umar Nurmagomedov at 1:48 of the second round, sending him to the canvas. The referee immediately waved off the fight.
However, Umar's younger brother, Usman, watching from the corner, rushed into the cage without hesitation. He nearly collided with Song, who was sprinting around the cage, celebrating one of the biggest wins of his career on his home turf.
The collision occurred normally until Usman appeared to be setting up a spinning elbow on Song. Usman, however, has denied any malicious intent, stating it was a reflex action.
Meanwhile, Song has publicly defended Usman, saying that after watching the incident in slow motion, it appears Usman was trying to turn around. Song also acknowledged their brotherhood, deeming Usman's reaction justified.
