Retired UFC title challenger and ESPN analyst Chael Sonnen, spoke to both sides of the UFC 294 co-main event, Kamaru Usman …
let’s shift our attention to the co-main event going down Saturday night UFC 294 Kamar Usman the newest edition to the 185 pound weight class and hosmat chamay of Kamar let me start with you this was your idea this was your idea over two months ago the UFC decided to give the nod to paoc Costa paoc Costa revealed that he had surgery on his elbow three weeks ago was pulled from the card the UFC called you and said Kamar we like that idea after all what is it specifically about this opponent that made you want to campaign and Lobby for this fight I think he’s uh I think he’s a great opponent he’s has advertised I think he’s he’s tough he’s uh he’s big he’s strong he can grapple he can wrestle he can strike and at this point this season in my life it’s just a matter of taking on the biggest baddest challenges and so when I walk away from the sport I know that I I took down who’s who of the sport and hosman to go over to you you’re taking the same risk on short notice this is not the opponent that you plan for as soon as this fight was announced Dana White announced that this would be a number one contenders match was that something that you demanded to accept the last minute replacement I were playing anything else life is never let me play anything so I was ready for everybody I don’t train for somebody else I for what I going to doain for my things let me ask you this if you become the number one Contender if you get a win over Kamar Usman that will draw you into Shan Strickland who’s a former training partner of yours and as I understand a current friend is that going to be a problem what oh no problem somebody wants to make money no problem they I mean Kamar I’d like to ask you the same question many people may not know but you and Sean Strickland have competed before it will actually be a rematch you defeated him the first time he was younger in his career and was at 170 pounds do you also look forward to rematching the current champion Sean Strickland absolutely I think since that fight he’s grown a lot he’s gotten a lot better and and I think he’s just settled into who he is as a fighter and I look forward to that match up because as he’s grown as of M I’ve grown a lot as well so uh I think that going to be a highly anticipated match up for for everyone to see and I can’t wait Kamar when you were the champion at 170 pounds there was a lot of talk there was talk coming out of Sweden there was talk by people we respect like Brian stand telling us about this young man in a training room named kmat chamaya he amassed a 4-0 record he never left the first round he even had a fight where he wasn’t punched and a lot of people were wanting him to be the number one Contender against you the problem was he didn’t have a ranking and Dana White said it’s too early at that time DraftKings put out a make beleve line they had you as a two to1 favorite DraftKings now has chamay as a two to1 favorite because they think you’re taking too much risk taking this on short notice are you prepared to compete this Saturday absolutely I think this one thing that since the beginning of my career it’s the one thing that I’ve always done and and I think it’s the one that any great fighter or great Champion does and that’s you’re always prepared this is not something that we do on the weekends we’re we’re always in shape we’re always in the gym we always continuing to learn and grow and build and so of course this was uh you know he was a welterweight at that time and I’m a welterweight and you know his slightly bigger welterweight and so I welcomed that fight but unfortunately he can’t get down to the weight and he couldn’t make it so now we’re kind of thrusted in a situation to where now we have to uh show the world this matchup at a weight class hireing but it’s makes no difference at the end of the day just like the same goes Fighters fight as I’m sure he’s excited for the matchup so am I jamai if I may ask you what your strengths are in this contest as I followed your career you’ve weaponized Pace meaning your condition has always been better than your opponents but in this case it’s a three- round fight you’re taking on a former champion who is used to 25 minute fights are you going to have an advantage in the conditioning are you going to have an advantage in the wrestling over a former national champion in Kamar hman I should ask for that it’s like I don’t know what to say just come here smash the guy man so respectful the guy takt the Five Short notes everything like you know and they already has excuses not usan a lot of people says but Usman takes the fight like but people already says he didn’t have a camp this that man so for me it doesn’t matter I come finish everyone man so I don’t care about it being the jam p and or all these we has to go to the cage and fight you know I know the guy comes to the Wi anyway also he also my final qu my final question to you chamay please give me a prediction for this fight we’re gonna give the prediction man Never Gonna Give You can’t give a predictions before the fight everyone say gonna do that GNA this that and the cage is everything is going different way now so that’s why never can give like was for the Gilbert B like learn a lot of things you was think one punch going to be down in my head so you know the game play against you so how to be Focus fight from first second to last second so I’m Different mindset for my game nowar Kamar let me ask you very directly are you going to beat hosmat chamay are you going to become the number one Contender this Saturday at UFC 294 good question CH I like the way you worded that um I think that’s what we do just like he’s planning to step in there and get his hands raised so am I he’s prepared and so am I so on Saturday night we’re both going to step in there they’re G to close that door and whoever’s game plan starts to unravel the other opponent is going to have their a range so I’m looking forward to it I’m sure he’s looking forward to it and on Saturday night the fans and the world finally get the match up that they want to see gentlemen my my job as an ESPN analyst is over but I would like to now become a fan and tell you on a personal note I respect that you guys have both gone on with this the first rule is the show must go forward Fighters fight as Kamar said you guys are going to fight this Saturday at 294 and rightfully so the winner will challenge for the world championship good luck to both of you