Chael Sonnen Believes The Era Of “Colby Covington” Copycats Is Coming
Colby Covington is one of the most popular fighters today. Chael Sonnen, who is a big fan of his, believes the era of his copycats takes the UFC over. The fully dedicated fighter who is focused on Octagon and doesn’t care about media attention, like Jose Aldo, might start losing popularity.
It is already known that Colby Covington has built his name via trash-talk and various kinds of threats. He insulted everybody, from Joe Rogan to Tyron Woodley. Even some Heavyweight fighters were his targets! And almost everybody hates him, except his training partners.
When Chael Sonnen was in the best form, he was constantly doing the same thing – just remember how he threatened to retire Anderson Silva before the loss at UFC 148! Even during his wrestling days, Sonnen enjoyed his threats and challenges! Covington and Sonnen are good friends, so the choice of the same path doesn’t come as a surprise.
Chael Sonnen had a conversation with Luke Thomas recently. The American Gangster described the way Chaos climbed on the top of the UFC ladder, from prelims to the co-main event of UFC 225. Actually, Sonnen emphasizes the effect of show business and entertainment in the future era of the UFC. (via MMAFighting)
“In many ways, he’s going to reinvent the sport,” Sonnen said Monday on The MMA Hour. “Is that for better or worse? Time will tell, and then you can decide. But people are going to start copying him. He’s the first guy ever to come out and say, ‘I’m just here to entertain you.’ So, yes, it’s an act, and yes, it’s a performance, but here it is and you guys seem to enjoy it. He’s the first guy. The only guy who ever did that in wrestling was The Rock. Everybody else stayed in character and held the old kayfabe montage.
“But he’s the first guy to come out and go, ‘Look, I’m just looking to entertain you. If the UFC isn’t going to bring me cameras, I’ll hire my own production crew, I’ll pay them, but I’m going to get this content recorded and out to the masses.’
“They’re scripted promos,” Sonnen continued. “He’ll admit they’re scripted promos — another thing that only The Rock would do, nobody else would ever admit to. And I think that he’s having fun. Now, I’ve known him since he was 11 years old — it’s going to be very hard for him to do anything that upsets me, because I just understand it a little bit differently. But I do think we’re going to see guys start to copy him. I think he’s an innovator in many ways. And again, is that a good thing or a bad thing? We’ll find out. But he does get credit, from me at least, for coming in and changing it. He is the first guy I’ve ever seen who has hired his own camera companies to come and go, ‘Hey UFC, you’re not going to do this for me? Great, no problem. I got some money, I’ll make a phone call. I’ll set the shot up myself.’ I think it’s interesting and it’s clearly working.”
Colby Covington defeated Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 225 using extremely annoying fighting strategy and sticking to RDA like a leech for all five rounds. Maybe it wasn’t interesting to watch, but he is a current Interim UFC Welterweight champion. He is expected to face Tyron Woodley for the UFC Welterweight title. And don’t worry – he attacks T-Wood on social networks and media on a regular basis!
What do you think, does Chael Sonnen have right? Is having big mouth better than hiding from the public eye? How would the perfect profile of the UFC fighter look like? Share us your thoughts!
