Sonnen (photo) fought in the UFC between 2009 and 2014. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
Known for his controversial style, strong statements and taste for provocations towards his opponents, the now former fighter Chael Sonnen has always been seen by many as a legitimate representative of the pro wrestling (telecatch in Brazil, mix of performing and martial arts) in the world of MMA. However, according to Sonnen himself, he almost didn't exchange the octagon for staged fights. On his podcast “You're Welcome”, the loudmouth revealed that he had turned down a million-dollar offer from WWE, the main event in the USA, when he was still working for the UFC.
“I was offered US$5 million (around R$12 million, at the current price) by Vince McMahon (WWE manager). I was still under contract with the UFC and I never brought it up to Dana (White). I took care of it myself. I said no and that was the end of the story. I never told Dana White that story, but here's why I never told it: I knew that if I called Dana and said 'I have a five million offer from Vince McMahon,' Dana would have matched it." -Challenger for the middleweight and light heavyweight belts.
Still talking about Dana White, Sonnen praised his former boss and his generosity in agreements, even after the troubled end of his professional relationship with Ultimate. “If you go in and try to negotiate with him, he (Dana) will negotiate and do it as in a normal business contract. If you play hard, you will often win. Dana likes to say yes. However, if an event does exceptionally well, you will receive what you asked for. The UFC regularly negotiates against itself. Dana White is going to sit at the negotiating table and is negotiating against himself, against the old contract he already has with the guy. There’s no one coming in and making offers, but he keeps giving raises,” said Sonnen, who retired from MMA and left his role as anchor on the “UFC Tonight” program after being caught in a drug test twice.
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