Chael Sonnen shared his reaction to Ben Askren’s return to competition during a recent interview. Sonnen, who serves in a commentary role for RAF, admitted that hearing the news about Askren stepping back into action against Belal Muhammad didn’t immediately produce the reaction many might expect.
“Makes me uncomfortable. When I read about it the the response was supposed to be excitement. It was supposed to be inspirational,” Sonnen said. “And I and I am getting there by the way. It is exciting. It is inspirational but I was uncomfortable at first.”
While some in the wrestling and MMA communities have raised concerns about the matchup, Sonnen pointed to Belal Muhammad as the real story of courage in the bout. The former UFC welterweight champion took a risk that Sonnen believes few others would have accepted.
“I thought what a stud Belal Muhammad is for taking this. I don’t think very many people would have taken this risk and Belal realized one thing which is if I don’t do this, Ben doesn’t get the opportunity and that part of the story is not being told and it deserves to be told,” Sonnen said.
Sonnen continued, “I think that Belal Muhammad has always gotten a bad shake in the media. I don’t think the media has ever been fair to him and I think that he has never been the star of this contest that Ben Askren is.”
The Askren versus Muhammad matchup is scheduled as part of a stacked card that also features Arman Tsarukyan facing Colby Covington. Sonnen discussed the upcoming Tsarukyan-Covington bout as well, breaking down the matchup with his characteristic analytical approach.
“People say MMA math or in this case wrestling math doesn’t work but it works all the time. It’s a very good trajectory. I mean the number one thing you have aside from head-to-head competition is common opponent,” Sonnen explained.
He pointed to Chris Weidman as a common thread between the two, saying he is “comfortable” predicting that Colby Covington’s edge over Weidman makes him the favorite in the Tsarukyan matchup.
