Chael Sonnen says Perth is disgusting, big fights like Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski should take place in Las Vegas

In an interview with Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie at the MMA Awards, Chael Sonnen said that he preferred the idea of a big fight like Makhachev vs. Volkanovski taking place in Las Vegas. He called Perth 'disgusting' and 'weird', and that it wasn't a good place to host any big event.

UFC 284: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski will take place at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

Skip to 2:48 for Chael Sonnen's comments on Perth as a venue:

Here's what Chael Sonnen said to Mike Bohn, who stated that he hasn't been to the island continent yet:

"Volkanovski vs. Makhachev. Oh, you're not a world traveler. Perth is disgusting. Are you not aware of that? You don't want to go to Perth for any reason. So, [you've got] them acting like they got a big fight and they've got to go do it in Perth. If you're [doing] a big fight, you do it in Las Vegas, but they're going to Perth."

'The American Gangster' then followed it up with the following when Bohn stated that he was looking forward to covering the event in Australia before:

"Cover it via satellite, if you have the opportunity. Perth is weird place to do a big fight. Perth is weird place to do a big anything. I mean, let's just get the whole story out."

Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski has been confirmed for UFC 284. The bout is expected to take place on February 13, 2023, at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

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"Jon Jones fights before Conor McGregor in 2023"; Chael Sonnen on who would make their comeback first

At the MMA Awards, Mike Bohn asked Chael Sonnen who would make their comeback first; Conor Mcgregor or Jon Jones?

Chael Sonnen picked 'Bones' as he's someone who 'needs' the fight, and 'The Notorious' is someone who 'wants' the fight.

Jon Jones doesn't have the wealth of Conor McGregor to stay away from the game for too long. McGregor, on the other hand, is someone who doesn't need to fight for money, but still has years ahead of him in the fight game.

Here's what Chael Sonnen said:

"They're are very different spots, right? Jon Jones is a prize fighter, he hasn't fought in a long time. He needs the prize. He needs to fight. Conor McGregor wants to fight. I think that that's a meaningful difference. I would go, though, with Jon Jones."

Jon Jones last fought before the Covid-19 lockdowns in February 2020, against Dominick Reyes at UFC 247, where he made his 11th title defense. That was also Jones' last fight at light heavyweight.

According to various reports, Jon Jones is expected to make his heavyweight debut in March 2023 against Francis Ngannou at UFC 285.