Sonnen: “He’s a true legend because”
Matt Jull of Boston.com, caught up with Chael Sonnen for this amazing interview. ENJOY!
By Matt Juul | Boston.com
Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Chael Sonnen stopped by the Globe last Thursday to talk about his upcoming fight with former champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, which will headline UFC’s return to Boston on Aug. 17.
Boston.com: First off, congrats on your recent marriage. I heard on the “Steve Austin Show” that you got your wife’s phone number by taking her phone and putting your number in it. Is that your best pick-up move?
Chael Sonnen: Close. I took her phone and then called myself so that it pops up. It’s foolproof, I’m 1-0. It’s 100 percent. And, I didn’t steal that – I created that. If anybody tells you that they did that move, they’re stealing my move.
That’s hilarious. Now, moving on to your upcoming bout with Rua, you’ve been noticeably quiet with the trash-talk leading in to this fight. What are your thoughts on him?
He’s a true legend because of his accomplishments, not because of his age. A lot of times, guys get this instant assignment to legend status – which just means they’re old. And most of the guys they call legends sucked. They just came along when nobody was doing the sport, they won a few matches. But he’s a real one. He’s incredible.
Rua has been known to get into some bloody wars, like his 2011 Fight of the Year bout with Dan Henderson. How do you see your fight with him playing out?
Yeah, that’s just the way it goes with Shogun. There’s really no other way to beat him. I’m not going to submit him and I’m not even going to go for a submission. And knocking him out has never really been proven to be effective.