One in awhile, you'll find Chael Sonnen take off his pro wrestling hat and give you some real talk. Like when he discussed mental toughness for wrestling and MMA. Or admitting he was "devastated" after losing to Anderson Silva at UFC 117. He does the same in this clip for ESPN's SportsCenter while breaking down tonight's main event between Silva and Yushin Okami.
Transcription:
Look, I've had the opportunity to compete with both of these gentlemen, and I can tell you firsthand this comes down to two things. It's real simple: range and pace.
If Anderson Silva can keep his opponent at the end of his punches, keep that distance that he's so accustomed to, those devastating strikes with his feet and with his fists are gonna land. He can have a great night. He can even finish this fight in devastating, highlight-reel fashion.
Yushin Okami knows this. He's fought him once before, and he failed to do that. He's had five years to think about it. He's had five years to realize he needs to get inside, he needs to push the pace. He needs to wear Anderson Silva down. And I really believe he's going to do that. I think we're going to have a new middleweight champion.
If Anderson Silva can keep his opponent at the end of his punches, keep that distance that he's so accustomed to, those devastating strikes with his feet and with his fists are gonna land. He can have a great night. He can even finish this fight in devastating, highlight-reel fashion.
Yushin Okami knows this. He's fought him once before, and he failed to do that. He's had five years to think about it. He's had five years to realize he needs to get inside, he needs to push the pace. He needs to wear Anderson Silva down. And I really believe he's going to do that. I think we're going to have a new middleweight champion.
