UFC legend Chael Sonnen has delivered a critique of fitness influencer Joey Swoll after the bodybuilder announced his departure from social media following intense backlash over his retraction of a tribute to wrestling icon Hulk Hogan.
The controversy began when Swoll posted a heartfelt tribute to Hulk Hogan following the wrestling legend’s recent passing, only to later retract his statements after facing criticism about separating Hogan’s wrestling persona from Terry Bollea, the man behind the character.
Swoll subsequently posted what Sonnen called a “victim” statement, writing: “All the good I’ve done. All the people I have helped all for nothing… But no matter how much good you do, people just wait for a reason to hate you and tear you down. You either die a hero or live long enough to be a villain. Thank you for your support. I am done now.”
Sonnen didn’t hold back in his recent YouTube video, calling Swoll’s response disappointing and predicting the influencer wouldn’t stay away from social media. “There is zero chance in my mind that he is in fact done,” Sonnen stated. “In fact, I will go further to let you know he’s not even done for the next 24 hours.”
The former UFC contender took particular issue with Swoll’s timing and approach, emphasizing that retracting praise for someone who just died crosses a line of basic human decency. “The number one time is when somebody dies. You don’t ever speak ill of that person, particularly in the short term,” Sonnen explained.
But Sonnen’s harshest criticism focused on what he sees as Swoll’s hypocrisy. He questioned Swoll’s claims about “all the good I’ve done,” pointing to the fitness influencer’s supplement business and alleged st**oid use. Sonnen argued that Swoll, like other fitness personalities, promotes supplements while allegedly using anabolic st**oids to achieve his physique – essentially “commercializing a lie.”
“He’s selling a fake product to you,” Sonnen claimed. “You’re telling them look like me and you’re selling them something that you never use to look like you when you know full well it’s anabolics.”
Sonnen also expressed skepticism about Swoll’s claims of receiving death threats, particularly questioning his use of the term “unalived.” The UFC veteran suggested this was another attempt at victimization, stating: “I don’t believe that somebody used that language. I believe you made it up.”
Sonnen was quite direct and raised questions about authenticity in the fitness industry’s marketing practices.
