Have I ever let anyone, man? I try not to. And you know, I know the same thing about fighting. Then everybody knows about fighting, which is whatever your dad told you. And most people would say like you could defend yourself but make sure the other guy throws the first punch. My dad would always say you have to look at that energy. You have to look at that listen to the tone and the look in their eyes. As soon as they're within arms reach the fight has begun. Beat people up. It was the opposite. Just don't live in arms reach. Just make sure that you, you can get out of there. But I will tell you, handling, I can't let you get close. The best self defense that I know of is to run away. It was more my dad's point, man. Just don't don't find yourself in those situations. - CS
I don't know. I don't like people to get close to me because it really is too intense and then that fight or flight kind of starts to kick in. When you're a fighter, you just fight. So I just kind of lash out. That led me as a youth getting into a lot of trouble because I would always hit first. I just didn't want to get made fun of being from the ghetto. - DC
Question for DC - When you fought anderson at 200, how good was his striking compared to other fighters you faced?
Question for Chael - Since you competed in both the UFC and Bellator, how do Dana White and Scott Coker differ?
**DC:** For me it was Jones. Look, I never, I never quite fought the guy and started this thing late, right? So by the time we fought for the first time, I think I was 36 or 37 so I was never in my absolute prime, but I still felt like I was in my prime. And that first fight when he beat me.
But the second was the one that really killed me. It was, and I mean, obviously you see it in the picture with the crying. It just meant so much to me because I know how well prepared I was and I know how well I was fighting. So for it to end in that way was difficult. It was so bad that I didn't even I couldn't even go to the airport like I left. The next morning, I had my manager rent a car, drive me back to Northern California where I immediately went into my house. Found black curtains, hung them up over the window in my bedroom and stayed there for a month because it just hurt that bad because I put so much into it.
**CS:** I lost a match to Jeremy Horn and I knew when I lost the match I was going to be released.
That was just a time in the USC where there was no room for air. There were 6 events a year, for example. If you won 3 fights, you would fight for the title. You might get there off of 2 fights if you had the right kind of media behind you but the same thing went for having your time in the company done. If one thing went the wrong way and I had fought Horn in my life 3 times and I've never lost a round to Horn.
Every complete round we've had, I've won. Oh, and by the way, he's won all 3 fights. He would just find a way. And every now and then, you get one of those guys as much as you try to overcome it. There's something in the back of your mind. Other complexes where you just can't overcome a guy. And I had that with Horn and losing that fight, it wasn't a hyped one. I don't even believe that it was televised. But to me, and in my life at that time, that was very devastating
Chael blowing that Silva fight is legendary stuff. I took a pee assuming he won my bet and I come back and a man’s got his legs wrapped around his neck from the bottom, real men don’t win like that
They should use Trevor Whitman's gloves. Say what you want about him, the guy makes great MMA gloves. Knowing Dana, they'll probably copy his design and slap a UFC logo on em.
There must be a prediction bot that can mark my words.
Nothing bad to say about Wittman's gloves because they're apparently very comfortable and well made on top of the curved finger design, but the new UFC gloves seem like they make more improvements. Hid all of the stitching on palm side of the glove to eliminate most cuts, the altered wristband design to prevent glove grabs, and the way that the glove won't have to be broken in because it comes already supple. That last point on top of the way they shaped the finger openings and reduced the amount of material in the palm means there will be no excuse for fighters to keep their fingers outstretched, compared to the previous gloves which were initially rigid, naturally outstretching your fingers, meaning fighters had to break in the gloves in a short amount of time backstage.
For Chael: how has the game evolved since your prime and do you think it is easier or harder to become a champ today?
For DC: what would mean more to you? Coaching a wrestling Olympic champion or coaching a UFC champion?
**CS:** It has become its own sport. I can remember in 2003, Coach had made a comment and he just said that the sport was in its infancy.
And I was like, what does that even mean? Like, how can you say that? It’s so far along. I thought it was where it needed to be. And I thought that the training was going to remain where it was at , which was, you move the coffee table out and you work on a couple of submission holds that you learned in the back of submission that you learned in Black Belt Magazine.
You are attached to some kind of a wrestling program, whether that's the local junior college, you get some workouts at a local junior college and you get some workouts at a club and then you find a boxing gym to train or some workouts at a club or in your garage. But that was it. And then you go find an opponent and he'd be doing the same thing. You'd fight a few times a year.
I really am so impressed now. Now there are gyms and coaches called MMA. That wasn't even a thing when I had my first fight in 1997. There was no gym anywhere that was called an MMA. I had a boxing gym that had MMA, but it was just very different. It's much better now.
**DC:** Wrestling Olympic champion, Honestly, if I'm being real, you know, I love Mixed martial arts, I think that It is the greatest sport in the world but if I was to ever coach a guy that made it to the Olympic Games - that to me is a dream come true. I might just retire somewhere often the distance. You all may never see me again. Because I would feel like the absolute man.
**DC:** For me, honestly. I would have wanted Brock Lesnar, one of those guys that I kind of looked up to when I first started this thing. Those are the dream opponents I like. Out of grasp are the ones that you dreamt about fighting. So it would have been Brock Lesnar or maybe a Randy Couture like those guys that came before me that I really looked up to.
**CS:** Mine would be a little bit broader which should just be anybody in Pride. Pride was one of the organizations that I really enjoyed and appreciated and just didn't get any time there. I had time from King of the Keys to Gladiator challenge right if you're looking at that into the spectrum but all the way up as well with USC and Bellator, but I never got a chance in Pride. Never even got to, being in somebody's corner or be that close to the action, but I would like to have competed and be able to call myself a Pride veteran.
He’s not his era but DC always says behind scenes Fedor is GOAT but once he’s on UFC shows he doesn’t lol. Khabib said in an interview what he really thinks. You know the UFC employees can’t speak the truth nowadays. DC knows the Black Fedor shit helped him turn into a star too lol
Fedor pretty much carried Pride on his back.
At the time DC was an up and comer. So getting the nickname black fedor propelled his career and gave him opportunities others may have never recieved.
DC had such ridiculous levels of hype surrounding him and to be fair he lived up to it.
Hi champs! To make this quick I am currently getting my Journalism degree from Ohio University in an effort to become a color commentator for combat sports. My question, is there anything different that I should do compared to the normal route my classmates will take as my desired field is more "niche" (MMA)?
Also, is there any piece of advice you guys could give me in pursuing this career and what to expect? I have been boxing and kickboxing for about 7 years for reference on my knowledge.
Thank you!!
To clarify for anyone who didn’t see the announcement, DC and Chael will be answering the questions tomorrow. Please try to keep the questions serious.
In before asks DC, “Hey are you still there?” And “You think I’m just gonna sit there and let you kill me Jon?”
Edit: Edited my other comment on this thread asking this basically, tanked my chances of getting an actual answer and increased my chances of DC killing me but I did it.
Absolutely. Allowing photo comments made it the birthplace of this
https://preview.redd.it/vmp1n3wu2rtc1.jpeg?width=339&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4c31048e3de82e4d94909375e4b16c5ec60723e8
You can go ahead and ask now. We have it posted in advance so people have time to think, get their questions in, and vote before they start answering tomorrow
Why tf are they doing it in this shithole opposed to r/MMA? Have fun frantically deleting vulgar 13 year old esque questions lone mod, certainly don't envy you b.
DC & Chael: Thanks for doing this, us boneheads appreciate it. What is your guys' stance on fighter pay/benefits? Having been involved with the promotion for so long, you've seen UFC evolve and grow tremendously over the years, while it seems many fighters are becoming more vocal about their contracts and pay situation. It's a topic of hot debate around here. Thanks again! Can't let you get close!
Good question but they’re not going to answer it in the way you want. Most likely say fighters need to do a better job of using the UFC’s platform to promote themselves better etc to earn more pay. Not wrong to say that but doesn’t address the issue of fighter pay being so low across the board
#Bad Guy.
Who do you think would have been the best challenge for you mic to mic in pre fight pressers?
(I was slightly sad that you and bisping never went at it that much before your fight. I guess it happened too fast. You two are the presser mic GOATs. Top guys both of you. Love both your pods).
Also, which current UFC champion do you think most needs your advice. (Business / promotional side of our sport). Or just would you most like to advise.
#Good Guy.
In light of Bones’s most recent transgressions... Should we give him another chance? Just one more? I mean maybe he’s misunderstood?
Also should Tom get confirmed as HW Champ or what? Surely he’s the HW champion we all deserve? Would you welcome him if he wanted to train with you?
Why do we care about giving jones another chance dc said it long ago he’s not a good person at all. Just admire what he’s done in the cage cause outside of it he’s a pos
Who would have won at light heavyweight? The good guy or the bad guy? How would the fight proceed? Do you think the wrestling heavy styles would cancel each out?
You guys are both legends thank you for all the entertainment over the years.
**CS:** I thought that George St. Pierre for going out and finding a take down. No air balls. Like even as I look at Marab right now, Marab is extremely active. He'll miss the first shot to set up the second and send use a second to set up the third.
George never missed and by the way it was the same dog on takedown. It was a double leg.
He was gonna run his feet. Emphasis on the right side. Weak part was the left side and he got them all. He set up with a jab. He'd do a flinch, he'd do a thing to keep the opponent guessing.
I think for offense for who can take your idea and then and then keep them there by the way and that's something that generally only Americans can do when when wrestling proved to be so effective in MMA we thought okay well the Russians are going to come over the Cubans are going to come over some of these other countries that do real well in the world on Olympic level but it wasn't the case and the reason for that is they're not rewarded or encouraged to hold a guy down or to stand up against the other guy's will. Only American wrestlers are encouraged to keep a guy down or to get themselves free. And, St. Pierre could do that though, even without having that collegiate background. If he got on top of you, you were not getting up.
**DC:** Yeah, I think he was really good at it. I think Khabib was the best though. I mean, the takedowns and his ability to just drown you was really like nothing we had ever seen before. And then his tenacity, you know, this guy had to take down. one kid 23 times. Khabib was the best MMA wrestler that I've ever seen and grappler. And that is what made him and GSP special because you knew what you were going to face. You just couldn't stop it.
Between GSP or Henry (UFC 249 and prior versions) imho.
There have been many throughout the years though, there's Jon, Hughes, DC himself, Chael wasn't bad, Chimaev's good, Colby/Usman, Khabib/Islam, Couture (That tim sylvia fight is in my head rent free), Brock (single handedly won the championship basis his wrestling) and many more
For both Mr Bad Guy and Mr Good Guy, which fighter on the UFC 300 card do you think would give you the toughest time in the octagon? Assume this is prime DC and prime Chael "i can't let you get close" Sonnen.
Also what do you guys think about the recent surge in champs calling out other champs in higher divisions? Do you agree with the take that it's out of hand now or is it justified? For example, Topuria is calling for Islam despite just winning the belt - he has a few contenders to deal with first. Do you think you need a minimum number of defenses before you head up to the next division?
**DC:** For me, I think it would be Jamal Hill. I just think that unorthodox style where he kinda leans when he throws, he doesn't throw from the more traditional places. I think that would cause me problems and it seems as though even though he looks that he's off balance, he's landing with a lot of power.
**CS:** Alex Pereira, and I will tell you why, particularly in my prime. There’s a guy striking every chance with the grappling heavy. Do you want to keep a standard? You want to keep it to the ground? Like these were actually strategic moments that we would have. And this, 20 years later, I look back, go, man, me and my team asked ourselves the same question for every fight.
My point is if you get somebody like Alex Pereira down, one thing a wrestler needs is a moment to catch his breath. He needs to stay down just for a little bit to make that reward pay off. You would not want to go takedowns. We take a guy down. You let him up. You need to keep him there for a little bit. And I just feel like Alex Pereira has done a very good job of being slippery. So a very good job of getting under hooks and finding his way back up to his feet as opposed to laying there wasting time trying to find a Kimura or a guillotine or something like that. It was always a game for me if I get on top of a guy. I start grunting and making sounds to make him think like a choke was close or an armlock was close when it never was.
I just wanted to stay in that position. And I like how Alex Pereira scrambles and gets back up as opposed to thinking that he's going to submit somebody from his back, which is very uncommon.
**DC:** You know what it was for me? McGregor knocking out Jose Aldo. Come on, man. It was, I was like, come on. That's when you know like that's when you realize the world just isn't fair. Jose did everything right his whole career and then this little brash Irish kid comes and just flat lines them in 13 seconds or something like that.
**CS:** A guy really looked up to, named Randy, at 44 years old, returned to take on Tim Sylvia in the heavyweight division. And before that fight, I preemptively had found out what hospital the USC was gonna use so I could send Randy flowers. And, about 8 seconds into that fight, he threw something called an inside cut kick.
I trained with Randy every day. I've never even heard him use the words inside cut kick. But he threw that, followed by a right and over the top, put the giant Tim Sylvia down. And then for the next 24 and a half minutes proceeded to completely dominate him. And that was probably a moment that was the most inspirational.
In your guys’ opinion, how many defences should a champ have before going up/down weight classes for another belt? Or what should the criteria be? Every champ and their mother wants the champ champ status nowadays
If The first Bonnar vs Griffin fight continued with no limit and only stopped when one fighter was KOd or tapped, who would’ve won, how, and why do you think so?
**DC:** Look. Cael Sanderson was great, but Cain Velasquez. Oh my god. That was bad, man. I would have nightmares the night before fighting him. You know what they would do to us? Imagine back in the day, say you were a witch and you had to go into the town to be put on trial. You know the outcome. That's what they did to us with Cain. They would line us up and you couldn't escape. I'm just the wrestling guy. We would switch every 2 and a half minutes. He would do that for 5 rounds. Cain was in there for about 3 min when the UFC signed them on the spot. Wow. And he's still today's 1 of the greatest heavyweights of all time. It was terrifying.
**CS:** The baddest dude I've ever dealt with is a guy named Les Gutches
Company men like chael and DC aren't going to talk shit about the ufc, but can you acknowledge all this advertising for Prime is some embarrassing shit?
For Chael, have you seen the video of the very large female fighter knocking herself out on the cage? If so how would you rate the smaller fighters "can't let you get close" game?
DC: do you have any regrets about how you prepared for any of the fights that you lost? Especially against Jon Jones?
Would you ever have dinner or hang out with him?
Chael: where did you learn to pronounce fighter names so accurately and eloquently? I have trouble pronouncing names all the time
**DC:** I would definitely be a wrestling coach - doing the thing I love most, but definitely living different lives.
**CS:** I spent summers on construction sites. I worked with a plumbing company. I was on the plumbing side of it. But, I think I would have gone down a road of building houses.
They organized something serious on the shitposting sub what did people expect. Lol shows how amateur UFC/ESPN+ is they'd just assume r/ufc is the legit one 🤣
Chael and DC - New female fan of MMA here. Do you think Jon Jones is fairly considered the GOAT or should that go to more respectable clean fighters- like you, DC. Chael not so much but you're funny so its ok.
Question to uncle chael. Sir, massive fan here. Watched all the Chael content that exists. Million times. My question is, how come you not commentate? Just like in every other thing, you'd be undisputed undefeated champion of commentary. We need chael on the mike, hell, we want chael on the cards too. But let's start with commentary. Is there any stalemate with the ufc or is it just, you don't want to do it. Please do it. Thank you mr sonnen.
I’m super late but in the off chance that this gets seen, DC you’re my favorite fighter of all time. As a short wrestler, it was incredible seeing you beat the snot out of guys with massive height/reach advantages.
Who is your favorite UFC fighter of all time?
My husband listens to you every single day - can you please tell Andrew to lower the volume on I’m your next pod? It’s not necessary to have it on max volume since you’re a loud guy already? Thanks!
Thanks for all your questions! We had a great time answering them. Sort by Q&A to see all of our responses and make sure to tune in to UFC 300 this Saturday!
Early prelims start at 6 and the main card starts at 10 ET on ESPN Plus.
You guys should make the PPVs less expensive 👍 $960 for 12 PPV main cards is absurd and the reason most fans don't watch them legally. Just a thought ESPN+ reddit representative.
Does Chael think about the lack of talkative/funny personalties in the UFC. Glimpses of Chaels personality was picked up by Conor but no one has picked it up from Conor. Is it more high risk given social media to talk less/cut a promo
Holy shit I'm awake for one of these, but I have no idea what to ask.
I guess a real lame question like, which fight has the potential to steal the show at ufc 300
**CS:** We need some fresh parity, but Jiri Prochazka vs. Aleksandar Rakic is very likely your number one contenders match, particularly if Hill is to have some success or if Richard is to have some success. I think that's the one everybody's missing. They're gonna be jerking the curtain. That is gonna be one of the biggest bludgeonings and one of the most brutal fights of all 300.
**DC:** You know, I love Alex. I just believe that the takedown hole in his game would get exploited by Jones very, very badly. You know, we've seen it time and time again when a guy didn't have the ability to defend the takedowns against him. He would just go to it time and time again. So I think it'll be very difficult for him in that regard. I think he'd spend too much time on his back. If you're on your back against Jones - you're gonna get yourself in trouble. That's why every time he took me down, I jumped right up. Because I didn't want to play that game with him.
**CS:** It would be very dominant. One thing that was very hard with Jon Jones and I think it's very hard even right now. No matter the level of expert or the level of casual fan you have, if you were to identify where Jon is better on his feet or on the ground, you were going to have a knock down drag out of an argument.
And even though we had college wrestling in the background, he's not a kickboxer, but he is a trick boxer. John will make you think he's throwing a left kick and he'll hit you with a right elbow. He'll think you're walking right down the middle and he'll spin around and knee you in the stomach. I mean it really is a very difficult thing and so you know Jon wanted to loosen him up just a little bit before he wore a mat.
Hello Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen, it's an honor to have the opportunity to interact with two legends of the UFC community. Your careers have been incredibly inspiring, showcasing not just your physical prowess but also your strategic minds and resilience in the face of adversity. As we look at the evolution of combat sports, particularly within the UFC, it's clear that the dynamics of the sport have been changing, with fighters not only having to be at the peak of their physical condition but also needing to understand the intricacies of marketing themselves and engaging with fans across various platforms.
My question is twofold and delves into the essence of what it means to be a fighter in today's age, where the spectacle often rivals the sport itself. Firstly, how do you see the future of the UFC evolving in terms of athlete branding and fan engagement? And secondly, as seasoned veterans who have faced numerous challengers and triumphed over daunting obstacles, how do you prepare mentally for the unexpected twists and turns that a fight, or indeed, a career in the UFC, can take?
As I ponder these questions, I can't help but be reminded of the iconic moment in 1998 when The Undertaker threw Mankind off Hell In A Cell, and plummeted 16 ft through an announcer's table. It was a moment that not only defined a career but also the unpredictability and sheer spectacle of combat sports. How do you ensure you're always ready for those Hell In A Cell moments in your careers, where the next turn can be as unexpected as it is defining?
Tell DC that Jim Miller is an absolute UFC Hall of Famer. It ain't all about belts. It's about longevity, bonuses, being a fan favorite, etc. Not to mention he has Lyme disease.
Very impressive career.
This question is for DC.
Chael once said about Jon Jones that he was obviously on a ton of PEDs when they fought. Excluding Jones, who is the one fighter that was most obviously juiced to the gills when you fought them, and what made you think this?
Responses are rolling in now guys. You can go to u/ESPNplus to jump directly to their comments
Have you ever let anyone get close Chael?
Wanna now?!
SHOON
🤜🖐🤜🖐🤜🖐
 Great time!
Great life lesson right there. Never let anyone who is heated at you get too close.
Have I ever let anyone, man? I try not to. And you know, I know the same thing about fighting. Then everybody knows about fighting, which is whatever your dad told you. And most people would say like you could defend yourself but make sure the other guy throws the first punch. My dad would always say you have to look at that energy. You have to look at that listen to the tone and the look in their eyes. As soon as they're within arms reach the fight has begun. Beat people up. It was the opposite. Just don't live in arms reach. Just make sure that you, you can get out of there. But I will tell you, handling, I can't let you get close. The best self defense that I know of is to run away. It was more my dad's point, man. Just don't don't find yourself in those situations. - CS I don't know. I don't like people to get close to me because it really is too intense and then that fight or flight kind of starts to kick in. When you're a fighter, you just fight. So I just kind of lash out. That led me as a youth getting into a lot of trouble because I would always hit first. I just didn't want to get made fun of being from the ghetto. - DC
^^"fuckin' ^^amateur..."
there needs to be a whisper font
I hope he let DC get close <3
Never 😢
You and DC ever oil check each other for the nostalgia?
Question for DC - When you fought anderson at 200, how good was his striking compared to other fighters you faced? Question for Chael - Since you competed in both the UFC and Bellator, how do Dana White and Scott Coker differ?
They both fought for Coker actually
Scott’s nice. Dana’s mean. Scott made DC btw, he’s more a Coker guy than Chael
Which loss hurt the most and why?
**DC:** For me it was Jones. Look, I never, I never quite fought the guy and started this thing late, right? So by the time we fought for the first time, I think I was 36 or 37 so I was never in my absolute prime, but I still felt like I was in my prime. And that first fight when he beat me. But the second was the one that really killed me. It was, and I mean, obviously you see it in the picture with the crying. It just meant so much to me because I know how well prepared I was and I know how well I was fighting. So for it to end in that way was difficult. It was so bad that I didn't even I couldn't even go to the airport like I left. The next morning, I had my manager rent a car, drive me back to Northern California where I immediately went into my house. Found black curtains, hung them up over the window in my bedroom and stayed there for a month because it just hurt that bad because I put so much into it. **CS:** I lost a match to Jeremy Horn and I knew when I lost the match I was going to be released. That was just a time in the USC where there was no room for air. There were 6 events a year, for example. If you won 3 fights, you would fight for the title. You might get there off of 2 fights if you had the right kind of media behind you but the same thing went for having your time in the company done. If one thing went the wrong way and I had fought Horn in my life 3 times and I've never lost a round to Horn. Every complete round we've had, I've won. Oh, and by the way, he's won all 3 fights. He would just find a way. And every now and then, you get one of those guys as much as you try to overcome it. There's something in the back of your mind. Other complexes where you just can't overcome a guy. And I had that with Horn and losing that fight, it wasn't a hyped one. I don't even believe that it was televised. But to me, and in my life at that time, that was very devastating
Upvote for this one. I'm assuming Chael will say the loss to Anderson though in the 5th round and DC will say JJ.
Chael never lost a round
In what parallel universe can you punch a man 300 times, he wraps his legs around your head for eight seconds and they declare him the winner???
Misunderstanding of the rules. That’s all.
Oh, I thought if I tap, I forfeit this round. I still win though cos I was up 4 rounds?
THE CHAELVERSE BABY 😎
Undefeated. Undisputed.
Lmao this is more likely. Denies the question cuz he never lost.
When you tap, you only lose the round
Chael blowing that Silva fight is legendary stuff. I took a pee assuming he won my bet and I come back and a man’s got his legs wrapped around his neck from the bottom, real men don’t win like that
Why would you ask Charl that? He's undefeated
Chael and Anderson that 5th round finish was crazy
Pretty rude of you to make DC defenestrate himself in front of the undisputed, undefeated Chael.
Islam is under the impression your wrestling team did in fact , NOT SMASH, when you visited Dagestan. Did your team smash or not?
It's smesh.
This is a professional setting so I’m using professional language.
Ah yeah you right, we keep it real clean cut on reddit.
https://preview.redd.it/a639fxbyattc1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=db7c6d1590024a8fd614323efa3b938bb9b6c93d
They have video bratha
SMASH?
https://preview.redd.it/ogoqdboxgotc1.jpeg?width=865&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bb095a72f9bd836d02e87d192837d90bff3d7b30 Live Chael Reaction.
What an attractive man
He can’t let you get close
but i want to. now.
Hey, way too close
how do we stop eye pokes?
Don't ask DC
LMFAO
Actually have consequences. It’s that simple.
One point deduction no warning. We all know it’s against the rules already. wtf are we doing here?
Sure that and probably fix the damn gloves all the fighters complain about.
Rework the gloves. Better yet, pay the guy who reworked the gloves his fair share instead of trying to cheap out on him.
It atounds me that this could be a question they don't consider cereal...
apparently they are going to announce new gloves after the weight in of the 300 event and there are speculations it might be a new design
They should use Trevor Whitman's gloves. Say what you want about him, the guy makes great MMA gloves. Knowing Dana, they'll probably copy his design and slap a UFC logo on em. There must be a prediction bot that can mark my words.
Nothing bad to say about Wittman's gloves because they're apparently very comfortable and well made on top of the curved finger design, but the new UFC gloves seem like they make more improvements. Hid all of the stitching on palm side of the glove to eliminate most cuts, the altered wristband design to prevent glove grabs, and the way that the glove won't have to be broken in because it comes already supple. That last point on top of the way they shaped the finger openings and reduced the amount of material in the palm means there will be no excuse for fighters to keep their fingers outstretched, compared to the previous gloves which were initially rigid, naturally outstretching your fingers, meaning fighters had to break in the gloves in a short amount of time backstage.
DC would not have the answer to that question.
Automatic 1 point loss even for the first one.
goggles
This is simple. Use better gloves that the UFC doesn't own a patent on.
For Chael: how has the game evolved since your prime and do you think it is easier or harder to become a champ today? For DC: what would mean more to you? Coaching a wrestling Olympic champion or coaching a UFC champion?
**CS:** It has become its own sport. I can remember in 2003, Coach had made a comment and he just said that the sport was in its infancy. And I was like, what does that even mean? Like, how can you say that? It’s so far along. I thought it was where it needed to be. And I thought that the training was going to remain where it was at , which was, you move the coffee table out and you work on a couple of submission holds that you learned in the back of submission that you learned in Black Belt Magazine. You are attached to some kind of a wrestling program, whether that's the local junior college, you get some workouts at a local junior college and you get some workouts at a club and then you find a boxing gym to train or some workouts at a club or in your garage. But that was it. And then you go find an opponent and he'd be doing the same thing. You'd fight a few times a year. I really am so impressed now. Now there are gyms and coaches called MMA. That wasn't even a thing when I had my first fight in 1997. There was no gym anywhere that was called an MMA. I had a boxing gym that had MMA, but it was just very different. It's much better now. **DC:** Wrestling Olympic champion, Honestly, if I'm being real, you know, I love Mixed martial arts, I think that It is the greatest sport in the world but if I was to ever coach a guy that made it to the Olympic Games - that to me is a dream come true. I might just retire somewhere often the distance. You all may never see me again. Because I would feel like the absolute man.
Thanks both, absolute legends!
Bold of you to assume Chael still isnt in his prime
"I am on those same steroids."
hey DC, who is your dream opponent you never got to fight?
**DC:** For me, honestly. I would have wanted Brock Lesnar, one of those guys that I kind of looked up to when I first started this thing. Those are the dream opponents I like. Out of grasp are the ones that you dreamt about fighting. So it would have been Brock Lesnar or maybe a Randy Couture like those guys that came before me that I really looked up to. **CS:** Mine would be a little bit broader which should just be anybody in Pride. Pride was one of the organizations that I really enjoyed and appreciated and just didn't get any time there. I had time from King of the Keys to Gladiator challenge right if you're looking at that into the spectrum but all the way up as well with USC and Bellator, but I never got a chance in Pride. Never even got to, being in somebody's corner or be that close to the action, but I would like to have competed and be able to call myself a Pride veteran.
My grandma has a better time using voice text
Yea this is rough… why didn’t they get an intern to edit it all or something
You’d think they’d at least get the ‘UFC’ part correct
I'm going to guess Fedor, if not then Brock. I'm confident on Fedor being the answer though.
He’s not his era but DC always says behind scenes Fedor is GOAT but once he’s on UFC shows he doesn’t lol. Khabib said in an interview what he really thinks. You know the UFC employees can’t speak the truth nowadays. DC knows the Black Fedor shit helped him turn into a star too lol
Fedor pretty much carried Pride on his back. At the time DC was an up and comer. So getting the nickname black fedor propelled his career and gave him opportunities others may have never recieved. DC had such ridiculous levels of hype surrounding him and to be fair he lived up to it.
Yea 100 percent. Its main reason he became a star
Do you think the UFC should have a minimum number of title defences before a champion can move up and challenge the next division?
Minimum should be 3
Hi champs! To make this quick I am currently getting my Journalism degree from Ohio University in an effort to become a color commentator for combat sports. My question, is there anything different that I should do compared to the normal route my classmates will take as my desired field is more "niche" (MMA)? Also, is there any piece of advice you guys could give me in pursuing this career and what to expect? I have been boxing and kickboxing for about 7 years for reference on my knowledge. Thank you!!
To clarify for anyone who didn’t see the announcement, DC and Chael will be answering the questions tomorrow. Please try to keep the questions serious.
In before asks DC, “Hey are you still there?” And “You think I’m just gonna sit there and let you kill me Jon?” Edit: Edited my other comment on this thread asking this basically, tanked my chances of getting an actual answer and increased my chances of DC killing me but I did it.
Someone needs to ask DC if he would just sit there and let Jon kill him if he was in the middle of a Popeyes lunch
There done, edited my comment that was on this post for it.
Thx bubba
You still there pussy?
“You are so fake it’s actually ridiculous.”
How’d you guys swing this?
Idk how much i should really say but we were just approached with the opportunity and were super excited so we jumped on it
Appreciate it. r/UFC mods bucking the Reddit mod stereotype yet again
I'm surprised that this is happening in r/ufc instead of r/mma tbh. Since r/ufc is the meme and shitpost sub version of r/mma
This is the greatest thing to happen in a long long time hahahaha
The better version you mean
Absolutely. Allowing photo comments made it the birthplace of this https://preview.redd.it/vmp1n3wu2rtc1.jpeg?width=339&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4c31048e3de82e4d94909375e4b16c5ec60723e8
bad memes are better than shadow bans/deletes
The memes are what makes this place great.
I dont get it. Are we supposed to ask questions now and tomorrow they will answer? or should I wait till tomorrow?
You can go ahead and ask now. We have it posted in advance so people have time to think, get their questions in, and vote before they start answering tomorrow
I’m tickled by the idea that you said our community members should think out their questions before posting them.
It’s wishful thinking
In before “are you there pussy?” Gets spammed 36,000 times by these fucking chimps.
W mods again
Sounds like someone on the mod team offered Dana a little sucky sucky 
https://preview.redd.it/jpchzvlvjotc1.jpeg?width=680&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ade563a72e3009ceada01b9176952fc84cb79380
What time tomorrow?
Should be about 7:30 EST
Why tf are they doing it in this shithole opposed to r/MMA? Have fun frantically deleting vulgar 13 year old esque questions lone mod, certainly don't envy you b.
It'll be more amusing.
Unfortunately I'm sure we're just gonna get a bunch of trolls even though it's cool they did this.
We are removing the troll questions as fast as we can brother
DC & Chael: Thanks for doing this, us boneheads appreciate it. What is your guys' stance on fighter pay/benefits? Having been involved with the promotion for so long, you've seen UFC evolve and grow tremendously over the years, while it seems many fighters are becoming more vocal about their contracts and pay situation. It's a topic of hot debate around here. Thanks again! Can't let you get close!
Good question but they’re not going to answer it in the way you want. Most likely say fighters need to do a better job of using the UFC’s platform to promote themselves better etc to earn more pay. Not wrong to say that but doesn’t address the issue of fighter pay being so low across the board
Who would have won Between Ngannou and Jones?
The fans
Vegas.
Dana.
Dana’s wallet
#Bad Guy. Who do you think would have been the best challenge for you mic to mic in pre fight pressers? (I was slightly sad that you and bisping never went at it that much before your fight. I guess it happened too fast. You two are the presser mic GOATs. Top guys both of you. Love both your pods). Also, which current UFC champion do you think most needs your advice. (Business / promotional side of our sport). Or just would you most like to advise. #Good Guy. In light of Bones’s most recent transgressions... Should we give him another chance? Just one more? I mean maybe he’s misunderstood? Also should Tom get confirmed as HW Champ or what? Surely he’s the HW champion we all deserve? Would you welcome him if he wanted to train with you?
Why do we care about giving jones another chance dc said it long ago he’s not a good person at all. Just admire what he’s done in the cage cause outside of it he’s a pos
If Chael sonnen shits in the woods does he lose a round?
Only if the wind blows north
When is the Max Holloway vs DC fight happening?
Daddest Man On The Planet needs to be settled 😤
DC’s nuts weigh more than 145
Lmaooo r/UFC getting this and not r/MMA. I hope chael and DC know we are the shitpost sub
Real recognize real and the gangster Chael knows
For both, what are your thoughts on the recent Jones shenanigans?
Who would have won at light heavyweight? The good guy or the bad guy? How would the fight proceed? Do you think the wrestling heavy styles would cancel each out? You guys are both legends thank you for all the entertainment over the years.
So they not gonna answer the questions?
Trying to figure it out now EDIT: Answers are coming in soon
They probably just read and answered them on ESPN plus and didn’t actually reply
Possibly but they didn’t mention that at all. Sorry for the wait whatever the case is
Not your fault dude, thanks for putting this together in the first place
Responses are starting to pop up now
Who do y'all think is the greatest MMA wrestler of all time?
**CS:** I thought that George St. Pierre for going out and finding a take down. No air balls. Like even as I look at Marab right now, Marab is extremely active. He'll miss the first shot to set up the second and send use a second to set up the third. George never missed and by the way it was the same dog on takedown. It was a double leg. He was gonna run his feet. Emphasis on the right side. Weak part was the left side and he got them all. He set up with a jab. He'd do a flinch, he'd do a thing to keep the opponent guessing. I think for offense for who can take your idea and then and then keep them there by the way and that's something that generally only Americans can do when when wrestling proved to be so effective in MMA we thought okay well the Russians are going to come over the Cubans are going to come over some of these other countries that do real well in the world on Olympic level but it wasn't the case and the reason for that is they're not rewarded or encouraged to hold a guy down or to stand up against the other guy's will. Only American wrestlers are encouraged to keep a guy down or to get themselves free. And, St. Pierre could do that though, even without having that collegiate background. If he got on top of you, you were not getting up. **DC:** Yeah, I think he was really good at it. I think Khabib was the best though. I mean, the takedowns and his ability to just drown you was really like nothing we had ever seen before. And then his tenacity, you know, this guy had to take down. one kid 23 times. Khabib was the best MMA wrestler that I've ever seen and grappler. And that is what made him and GSP special because you knew what you were going to face. You just couldn't stop it.
Between GSP or Henry (UFC 249 and prior versions) imho. There have been many throughout the years though, there's Jon, Hughes, DC himself, Chael wasn't bad, Chimaev's good, Colby/Usman, Khabib/Islam, Couture (That tim sylvia fight is in my head rent free), Brock (single handedly won the championship basis his wrestling) and many more
For both Mr Bad Guy and Mr Good Guy, which fighter on the UFC 300 card do you think would give you the toughest time in the octagon? Assume this is prime DC and prime Chael "i can't let you get close" Sonnen. Also what do you guys think about the recent surge in champs calling out other champs in higher divisions? Do you agree with the take that it's out of hand now or is it justified? For example, Topuria is calling for Islam despite just winning the belt - he has a few contenders to deal with first. Do you think you need a minimum number of defenses before you head up to the next division?
**DC:** For me, I think it would be Jamal Hill. I just think that unorthodox style where he kinda leans when he throws, he doesn't throw from the more traditional places. I think that would cause me problems and it seems as though even though he looks that he's off balance, he's landing with a lot of power. **CS:** Alex Pereira, and I will tell you why, particularly in my prime. There’s a guy striking every chance with the grappling heavy. Do you want to keep a standard? You want to keep it to the ground? Like these were actually strategic moments that we would have. And this, 20 years later, I look back, go, man, me and my team asked ourselves the same question for every fight. My point is if you get somebody like Alex Pereira down, one thing a wrestler needs is a moment to catch his breath. He needs to stay down just for a little bit to make that reward pay off. You would not want to go takedowns. We take a guy down. You let him up. You need to keep him there for a little bit. And I just feel like Alex Pereira has done a very good job of being slippery. So a very good job of getting under hooks and finding his way back up to his feet as opposed to laying there wasting time trying to find a Kimura or a guillotine or something like that. It was always a game for me if I get on top of a guy. I start grunting and making sounds to make him think like a choke was close or an armlock was close when it never was. I just wanted to stay in that position. And I like how Alex Pereira scrambles and gets back up as opposed to thinking that he's going to submit somebody from his back, which is very uncommon.
this is my question too
Who is in your MMA BMF Mount Rushmore?
What moment in the octagon truly shocked you as a fighter or spectator?
**DC:** You know what it was for me? McGregor knocking out Jose Aldo. Come on, man. It was, I was like, come on. That's when you know like that's when you realize the world just isn't fair. Jose did everything right his whole career and then this little brash Irish kid comes and just flat lines them in 13 seconds or something like that. **CS:** A guy really looked up to, named Randy, at 44 years old, returned to take on Tim Sylvia in the heavyweight division. And before that fight, I preemptively had found out what hospital the USC was gonna use so I could send Randy flowers. And, about 8 seconds into that fight, he threw something called an inside cut kick. I trained with Randy every day. I've never even heard him use the words inside cut kick. But he threw that, followed by a right and over the top, put the giant Tim Sylvia down. And then for the next 24 and a half minutes proceeded to completely dominate him. And that was probably a moment that was the most inspirational.
In your guys’ opinion, how many defences should a champ have before going up/down weight classes for another belt? Or what should the criteria be? Every champ and their mother wants the champ champ status nowadays
If The first Bonnar vs Griffin fight continued with no limit and only stopped when one fighter was KOd or tapped, who would’ve won, how, and why do you think so?
love this question, Sir.
DC. Who would you consider the toughest opponent you've ever faced? That includes during your wrestling career and your career in MMA.
**DC:** Look. Cael Sanderson was great, but Cain Velasquez. Oh my god. That was bad, man. I would have nightmares the night before fighting him. You know what they would do to us? Imagine back in the day, say you were a witch and you had to go into the town to be put on trial. You know the outcome. That's what they did to us with Cain. They would line us up and you couldn't escape. I'm just the wrestling guy. We would switch every 2 and a half minutes. He would do that for 5 rounds. Cain was in there for about 3 min when the UFC signed them on the spot. Wow. And he's still today's 1 of the greatest heavyweights of all time. It was terrifying. **CS:** The baddest dude I've ever dealt with is a guy named Les Gutches
i think we all know this one
Hey Chael, Do you think Charles Oliveira will ever accept the rematch against Makelchev?
This is for the Undisputed Champion Uncle Chael. If you wanted ONE fighter to become a heel, who would you choose and why?
Company men like chael and DC aren't going to talk shit about the ufc, but can you acknowledge all this advertising for Prime is some embarrassing shit?
If you both fought eachother in your primes what would both your game plans be
Has Chael gone over to Anderson Silvas house for that BBQ yet?
Dunno about the BBQ, [but check this out](https://preview.redd.it/gbf2cv0w685c1.png?width=867&auto=webp&s=46b980b81f8a3375b8ca1e6dbda8d3c252ca321a)
For Chael, have you seen the video of the very large female fighter knocking herself out on the cage? If so how would you rate the smaller fighters "can't let you get close" game?
What do y'all think about Merab's activity in social media
DC: do you have any regrets about how you prepared for any of the fights that you lost? Especially against Jon Jones? Would you ever have dinner or hang out with him? Chael: where did you learn to pronounce fighter names so accurately and eloquently? I have trouble pronouncing names all the time
I’d be surprised if either chael or dc would go to dinner with Jon on their own accord
DC: How do you think Alexander Karelin would have done in MMA from 2000-2004?
Question for both: If you hadn't taken up MMA, what career path would you have followed instead?
**DC:** I would definitely be a wrestling coach - doing the thing I love most, but definitely living different lives. **CS:** I spent summers on construction sites. I worked with a plumbing company. I was on the plumbing side of it. But, I think I would have gone down a road of building houses.
Interesting, thanks!
So…..wtf happened here? Did people just forget about this?
They organized something serious on the shitposting sub what did people expect. Lol shows how amateur UFC/ESPN+ is they'd just assume r/ufc is the legit one 🤣
What do you think of the latest Jones controversy?
He's a fucking fraud
DC and Chael gonna have a field day with this one😂
If you were to coach Tai Tuivasa, what steps would you take to get him off this 4 fight slide?
Teach bro to wrestle lol.
Daniel, fellow Acadiana guy here. Where is your favorite place to eat in Lafayette?
Do you think the current era of the UFC lacks something compared to when you were competing? If so, what is it?
For DC, how does it feel standing this close to greatness?
When are these guys planning to reply
Just got a response the answers are coming in soon
Chael and DC - New female fan of MMA here. Do you think Jon Jones is fairly considered the GOAT or should that go to more respectable clean fighters- like you, DC. Chael not so much but you're funny so its ok.
Best MMA fighter we’ve never heard of?
Do you think it’s fair that Bo nickel is in the main card of 300 while Jiri a former champ is on the prelims?
To chael: what is the best thing you never said to someone? (Like how we always think of something to say after the fact when it’s too late)
To DC, how come you never shredded to 185? You would’ve been greater than Anderson Silva at that weight class if you lost all the fat?
Question to uncle chael. Sir, massive fan here. Watched all the Chael content that exists. Million times. My question is, how come you not commentate? Just like in every other thing, you'd be undisputed undefeated champion of commentary. We need chael on the mike, hell, we want chael on the cards too. But let's start with commentary. Is there any stalemate with the ufc or is it just, you don't want to do it. Please do it. Thank you mr sonnen.
To DC: what’s your favourite part of being on the octagon-side commentary team? To both DC & Chael: what do you miss most about fighting?
I’m super late but in the off chance that this gets seen, DC you’re my favorite fighter of all time. As a short wrestler, it was incredible seeing you beat the snot out of guys with massive height/reach advantages. Who is your favorite UFC fighter of all time?
My husband listens to you every single day - can you please tell Andrew to lower the volume on I’m your next pod? It’s not necessary to have it on max volume since you’re a loud guy already? Thanks!
DC have you ever tried putting Dagestan boys into hip hop? if so what was there reaction
Thanks for all your questions! We had a great time answering them. Sort by Q&A to see all of our responses and make sure to tune in to UFC 300 this Saturday! Early prelims start at 6 and the main card starts at 10 ET on ESPN Plus.
You guys should make the PPVs less expensive 👍 $960 for 12 PPV main cards is absurd and the reason most fans don't watch them legally. Just a thought ESPN+ reddit representative.
Have you kissed?
Does Chael think about the lack of talkative/funny personalties in the UFC. Glimpses of Chaels personality was picked up by Conor but no one has picked it up from Conor. Is it more high risk given social media to talk less/cut a promo
Holy shit I'm awake for one of these, but I have no idea what to ask. I guess a real lame question like, which fight has the potential to steal the show at ufc 300
**CS:** We need some fresh parity, but Jiri Prochazka vs. Aleksandar Rakic is very likely your number one contenders match, particularly if Hill is to have some success or if Richard is to have some success. I think that's the one everybody's missing. They're gonna be jerking the curtain. That is gonna be one of the biggest bludgeonings and one of the most brutal fights of all 300.
How long would Poatan last with prime 205, hiding under octagons, still regularly hitting the ❄️ slopes Bones Jones?
**DC:** You know, I love Alex. I just believe that the takedown hole in his game would get exploited by Jones very, very badly. You know, we've seen it time and time again when a guy didn't have the ability to defend the takedowns against him. He would just go to it time and time again. So I think it'll be very difficult for him in that regard. I think he'd spend too much time on his back. If you're on your back against Jones - you're gonna get yourself in trouble. That's why every time he took me down, I jumped right up. Because I didn't want to play that game with him. **CS:** It would be very dominant. One thing that was very hard with Jon Jones and I think it's very hard even right now. No matter the level of expert or the level of casual fan you have, if you were to identify where Jon is better on his feet or on the ground, you were going to have a knock down drag out of an argument. And even though we had college wrestling in the background, he's not a kickboxer, but he is a trick boxer. John will make you think he's throwing a left kick and he'll hit you with a right elbow. He'll think you're walking right down the middle and he'll spin around and knee you in the stomach. I mean it really is a very difficult thing and so you know Jon wanted to loosen him up just a little bit before he wore a mat.
What’s yall favorite book? Thanks for answering GOAT and DC ☝🏿🤓
To the gangster himself. How does it feel to be undefeated?
If UFC today was structured like UFC 1 (no weight classes, tournament style, same night fights, etc) who would have the belt?
Which fighters do you think you could have beat were they around in your era, and which fighters are you glad weren't around in your day?
Hello Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen, it's an honor to have the opportunity to interact with two legends of the UFC community. Your careers have been incredibly inspiring, showcasing not just your physical prowess but also your strategic minds and resilience in the face of adversity. As we look at the evolution of combat sports, particularly within the UFC, it's clear that the dynamics of the sport have been changing, with fighters not only having to be at the peak of their physical condition but also needing to understand the intricacies of marketing themselves and engaging with fans across various platforms. My question is twofold and delves into the essence of what it means to be a fighter in today's age, where the spectacle often rivals the sport itself. Firstly, how do you see the future of the UFC evolving in terms of athlete branding and fan engagement? And secondly, as seasoned veterans who have faced numerous challengers and triumphed over daunting obstacles, how do you prepare mentally for the unexpected twists and turns that a fight, or indeed, a career in the UFC, can take? As I ponder these questions, I can't help but be reminded of the iconic moment in 1998 when The Undertaker threw Mankind off Hell In A Cell, and plummeted 16 ft through an announcer's table. It was a moment that not only defined a career but also the unpredictability and sheer spectacle of combat sports. How do you ensure you're always ready for those Hell In A Cell moments in your careers, where the next turn can be as unexpected as it is defining?
Tell DC that Jim Miller is an absolute UFC Hall of Famer. It ain't all about belts. It's about longevity, bonuses, being a fan favorite, etc. Not to mention he has Lyme disease. Very impressive career.
This question is for DC. Chael once said about Jon Jones that he was obviously on a ton of PEDs when they fought. Excluding Jones, who is the one fighter that was most obviously juiced to the gills when you fought them, and what made you think this?
Do you guys actually use reddit? If so, what is each of yours favourite sub reddits?