Chael Sonnen recently opined that although Conor McGregor remains the UFC’s biggest draw and “red-panty night” remains real, McGregor no longer controls the narrative.
The Irishman wants to make his much-anticipated comeback and be a part of the UFC White House Card. Over the past few months, there were rumors that he would be fighting Michael Chandler on June 14.
However, Dana White recently commented on the potential McGregor vs. Chandler bout, stating that the UFC head brass is no longer interested in making this fight happen.
After the UFC head honcho halted what McGregor, Chandler, and the majority of fans had wished for, the Dubliner took to X to let the UFC know that he’s ready to face any opponent the company puts in front of him. He posted:
“Pick who ya want! The Mac sweats nothin and nobody. I’m TASTY SHOTS.”
Check out Conor McGregor’s post below:
Chael Sonnen doesn’t approve of Conor McGregor’s latest “Pick who ya want” attitude
Chael Sonnen believes that while Conor McGregor has long given fans the impression that he holds significant power within the UFC, much of it is actually a perception of power. According to Sonnen, McGregor doesn’t need to force the UFC’s hand but has to tell them what he wants, and the matchmakers will make it happen.
In that sense, while the power may look symbolic, McGregor still holds real influence behind the scenes. However, Sonnen does not second McGregor’s recent attitude. In a recent YouTube video, while commenting on McGregor’s X post, after White refused to make the Chandler bout happen, Sonnen said:
“That’s an honorable competitor. But that is also the message of a guy who is completely out of the loop. That’s the message of a guy who found out about his own career from the decision maker of said career in an interview at the same time that the rest of us found out. That’s not a guy that’s tied in. That’s also not the guy that’s like, ‘It’s red panty night, and you’re doing what you’re told, and it’s my way, and I’ll pick my opponent.'”
The UFC Hall of Famer added that the now-deleted X post was a “rare honor loss” for ‘The Notorious.’
“Those things were for bravados, but I’m sharing; that’s why this tweet was a loss. That’s why this tweet was a rare honor loss.”
According to Sonnen, McGregor shouldn’t have responded to Dana White’s recent remarks because it only demonstrates his desperation to return. He added that the Dubliner’s latest attitude after finding out that he won’t be taking on Chandler is not the attitude of the sport’s biggest star.
“It makes you a regular guy, and it makes you like everybody else… Conor is still the guy that moves the needle, but he just lost his opponent, and he found out the same way that we found out.”
Check out Chael Sonnen’s comments below (3:20):
Conor McGregor confirms he will fight at the White House
Earlier today, on a Roblox live stream, Conor McGregor confirmed that he will be fighting on June 14. The former UFC double champion also claimed that his ongoing contract with the UFC is void because the new Paramount deal has no pay-per-view points in the United States, and his contract was based on PPV sales. Hence, the Irishman will sit down with the company next month to negotiate a new contract.
“I am gonna be at it [ UFC White House Card] for sure. Gonna be insane, the White House card.”
Check out Conor McGregor’s comments below:
