'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABgAAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABxAAAgIDAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAgMFEQEEBgASIgEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwURAAEDAwUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAiEDBBEFI3Gx0f/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AjT4yOjOmiYEAPK+RdpK3HBS8v2d/YsnrH9WQA3A2d5KvQTrJyI5vqZyGTzUQ5cbJ7eoDWA37MUNJeCKmVea889a0gl9AF0x4Ut3t1C1sDJjg46C//9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Chael Sonnen reflected on a very successful year for the UFC at the 14th annual World MMA Awards.
Sonnen spoke to MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn on the red carpet at the World MMA Awards. He said that the 2008 Dana White wouldn't be thrilled if he saw how his 2022 self ran the promotion this year. 'The American Gangster' highlighted how unique the year was, saying:
"2022 has been ran unlike any other year in MMA. If 2022 Dana White walks into 2008 Dana White's office, 2008 Dana White kicks him out." [1:47 - 1:57]
The former UFC middleweight title challenger then added that MMA relies on star power. He said he was astonished at how the promotion remained successful with their biggest stars inactive:
"This is a star-driven business. We took out biggest stars, we put them on ice. With that said, ratings went up, box office were completely sold out. Pay-per-view did just fine, it's unlike any year. Jon Jones can't get a fight at heavyweight, meanwhile, I'm watching the worldwide leader and there's a guy named Sergey that's the main event of a heavyweight." [1:58 - 2:18]
Sonnen complimented the promotion for their ability to get their audience excited with the fights they put on throughout the year.
Check out the full interview:
Chael Sonnen wants to see Khamzat Chimaev vs. Colby Covington in 2023
Chael Sonnen is interested in the UFC welterweight division and would like to see some clarity with the title opportunities.
The former UFC middleweight title challenger spoke with Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie at the World MMA Awards. He mentioned that Khamzat Chimaev vs. Colby Covington is the fight to make at 170lbs:
"There's a rumor out there right now, [Khamzat] Chimaev vs. Colby Covington. I want them [UFC] to sweeten the pot and officially make that a number-one contender's bout, and that's the match that I want to see." [4:31 - 4:40]
'Borz' vs. 'Chaos' would be a logical fight to book in a talented welterweight division. It would be interesting to see how they match up with one another and the press conferences would definitely be entertaining for fans. The winner could position themselves for a future title shot depending on when their bout takes place.
