UFC icon Chael Sonnen has never been one to mince words, and his latest commentary on modern MMA competitors is no exception. In a recent discussion on WiseNuts with Chael and Brittany Sonnen, the former middleweight contender delivered a critique of today’s mixed martial arts athletes, questioning their legitimacy as tough guys.
“I personally have never been around a faker group of tough guys than MMA fighters,” Sonnen declared. He then went on to elaborate on what he sees as a fundamental problem with the sport’s current crop of athletes.
According to Sonnen, professional contenders have become pampered and entitled, living lifestyles that don’t align with true toughness. “Professional athletes are babies. Fighters are babies,” he stated. “They get paid millions of dollars and they’re babies. They should be embarrassed to say, ‘This is what I do.'”
The criticism extends beyond just their attitudes to their work ethic and lifestyle choices. Sonnen expressed particular disdain for competitors who dedicate themselves solely to training without contributing to society in other meaningful ways. “I’d be embarrassed if all I did is train and eat and sleep. Go do something. Get out there and contribute to the world. Like those guys should not be proud of that fact.”
His perspective stems from a blue-collar worldview that values hard work and multiple responsibilities. “Any blue collar man is a tough guy. Any blue color man’s a tough guy. I mean, truly,” Sonnen emphasized, drawing a sharp contrast between working-class individuals and professional fighters who he believes have lost touch with real adversity.
Sonnen suggests that MMA competitors today are too comfortable and haven’t faced genuine hardship. He thinks that nowadays, athletes are coddled and protected from real-world challenges.
