You're Welcome! With Chael Sonnen

Chael put out a video about Jake Paul’s Christmas Eve Abu Dhabi fight and named Netflix as the broadcaster -- then Netflix contacted him directly to say they are not hosting the event. MVP has no broadcast partner: PFL’s ESPN deal is done and not being renewed, the executive brought in to land a media deal was removed when he couldn’t close one, and the whole industry is watching to see how it plays out. Dominick Cruz and TJ Dillashaw debated whether Ciryl Gane is a cheater for the eye poke that ended his heavyweight title fight with Tom Aspinall in a no contest. Chael weighs in and says no, intent is everything, but he’s open to tougher consequences for the rule break regardless. Matt Brown and Henry Cejudo weighed in on Islam Makhachev skipping a date. Brown says champs need a standard, Cejudo says Islam got it right, but Chael says both missed the point: Islam’s issue was the date, not the opponent, and the opponent offer of Carlos Prates surprised him since Islam said his next two were Morales and Rakhmonov. Justin Gaethje has said nothing since Volkanovski called him out and then announced he’s vacating the featherweight belt to challenge Arman Tsarukyan for the lightweight title -- Chael says the silence is becoming must-see TV, and the first time Gaethje speaks, everyone will lean in.

To support this program, please review it on Apple Podcastsor submit a rating on my Spotify page.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Volkanovski floated four ideas for his career and Chael says three are bad -- the great one is Volk vacating the featherweight belt, moving to lightweight, and calling out Arman Tsarukyan for the title, contingent on Gaethje retiring. Chael texted Arman on WhatsApp to stir things up. Justin Gaethje retirement is now past 50/50 -- Volk has intel Gaethje may not fight again. Sean Strickland came to his senses and will fight Nassourdine Imavov for the middleweight title in February. Renato Moicano had a great press conference -- told his opponent to shut up because he’s only there for money -- but Chael warns him not to say publicly he wants to fight out his UFC contract. Jake Paul announced a Christmas Eve Abu Dhabi fight with no opponent named yet -- Nate Diaz and Mike Perry likely on the card. Floyd Mayweather vs. Ryan Garcia is a real fight with Floyd’s record on the line -- what people want is Ryan to actually win. Conor McGregor’s coach Kavanagh says Conor’s not done, Chael is behind him for the first time, and expects Max Holloway next with Michael Chandler still in play. Ask Uncle Chael covers Oregon’s UFC tax problem, Spencer Lee and Iowa wrestling, Chael’s favorite saint, and the super fight he actually wants to see.

To support this program, please review it on Apple Podcastsor submit a rating on my Spotify page.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Chael breaks down Real American Freestyle, starting with Dillon Danis prodding Arman Tsarukyan at the press conference until Khamzat Chimaev came off the stage -- and the moment Chimaev bent down to fix his shoe that nearly sent security into full panic. Danis cut nine pounds under lockdown, showed up, and competed -- Chael says that deserves credit. Jordan Burroughs took on the U23 champion Mikey Caliendo and lost on criteria -- last score -- but looked anything but done. Vito Arujau gave up a 9-point lead to Rivera in a 22-point thriller. Jordan Oliver and Ridge Lovett delivered what the crowd called the people’s main event. Back to UFC: Merab Dvalishvili beat Sean O’Malley and Chael questions whether one body shot is enough to win a round when the other guy controlled everything else. Alexander Volkov crashed a Volkanovski press conference as a fan, got a moment with Dana White, and Chael says it’s time to push for his title shot. Volkanovski proposes a double-retirement fight with Gaethje at 155 -- Chael says it almost never happens, but the real card Volk played is the threat of Aljo instead. Islam Makhachev sits out for Ramadan, an interim title is created for Prates vs. Morales, and Chael asks: can you still call Islam the undisputed champion?

To support this program, please review it on Apple Podcastsor submit a rating on my Spotify page.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Chael makes the case that Josh Hokit is one win away from being the King of MMA -- the first ever undefeated, undisputed heavyweight champion -- and argues Bruce Buffer’s criticism of how Hokit talks proves nothing, because nobody wants the opposite. Mike Perry has split from Bare Knuckle FC in a mutual, drama-free parting with promoter Dave Feldman, and Chael says every MMA org should sign him right now -- he is the hottest free agent on the market. Bo Nickal and Gable Steveson have a backstage feud brewing at Real American Freestyle, and Chael asks whether Gable could go heel. Rizvan says the Islam Makhachev vs. Paddy Pimblett fight is far from done, which means Michael Morales may still be in play, and Shara Magomedov’s callout of Morales -- like Ian Garry’s before it -- was allowed to go cold. Chael closes with Ask Uncle Chael: Buckley is not getting cut, Jon Jones’s cocaine confession moment explained, and a Shell station robbery story starring his godson Lad.

To support this program, please review it on Apple Podcastsor submit a rating on my Spotify page.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It is fight week and Volkanovski faces undefeated Movsar Evloev. Volk says he will stop Evloev and then call out Gaethje - Chael is enamored. He will not get that fight, but the fact that it is what drives him tells you everything about Volk. Dricus Du Plessis says he wants to go to 205 after getting his belt back at 185. Chael supports the 205 move but says the math does not work - go now, do not wait. Shara Magomedov went 16-0, 7-0 in the UFC and got released. Chael says someone on his team failed him - you do not let a fighter make that walk without a new deal in place.Charles Oliveira pushes back on critics saying his ground game disqualifies the BMF belt. Chael backs Charles: you bring your skills, the other guy brings his, whoever walks out is the BMF. Sean Strickland and the Imavov fight - UFC says the contract was just redone, so Sean is not leaving. But something changed, and Chael is not sure renegotiating gets him anywhere.

To support this program, please review it on Apple Podcastsor submit a rating on my Spotify page.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bruce Buffer called Josh Hokit disrespectful - Chael says Bruce started it and has it backwards. Hokit fought on the South Lawn, is headed to MSG for a heavyweight title shot, and had sponsors remodel his house. That is not a guy doing it wrong. Henry Cejudo says Alex Pereira is spoiled with opportunities - Chael dismantles that take point by point. Pereira started as a 36-year-old kickboxer on undercards, had to make 185, beat Sean Strickland just to get to Izzy, then won the belt the hard way at 38. He got dealt from the bottom of the deck and climbed anyway. Paddy Pimblett is hot on Ilia Topuria’s trail, but Chael thinks he is looking in the wrong direction. The two fights that actually move Paddy toward a title: Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira. Ask Uncle Chael covers folkstyle wrestling, villains in storytelling, the Trevor Prangley tap that wasn’t, and the right order of business versus wife.

To support this program, please review it on Apple Podcastsor submit a rating on my Spotify page.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brendan Allen came out and said nobody likes him - Chael breaks down why it might be true and what fixes it. The short answer: fight Dricus Du Plessis. Jon Jones calls not fighting at the White House his biggest life regret - which means his biggest regret is probably not fighting Alex Pereira. Jones is staying in the testing pool, which means he isn’t fully retired. Khamzat Chimaev’s camp wants him at 205, but Chael isn’t buying the size claims - the guy showed up to a Russian exhibition at 193 pounds without cutting. He’s a middleweight. Anthony Joshua kept his Fury fight in the UK and wants credit for it - Chael isn’t impressed. The real fight is Dana White vs. Eddie Hearn, and Ariel Helwani thinks Eddie has Dana beat. Andre Fili wins, pulls his punch at the buzzer, and then says “I’m a criminal, not a bad guy.” Chael has line envy.

To support this program, please review it on Apple Podcastsor submit a rating on my Spotify page.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sean Strickland says he’s done fighting for UFC money. He’ll move to 205, burn out his contract, then go box Jake Paul for a big bag. Chael discloses his bias upfront, then explains why those specific words could get Strickland stripped and why a healthy champion holding out never ends well. Coach Ray Longo moved the line on Pereira-Pavlovich: is Alex too small for heavyweight, or did Ciryl Gane just outbox him? Chael makes the case it was skill, not size. Then Valentina Shevchenko was stripped with no public explanation, reportedly against her wishes. Chael asks the question nobody’s asking: is the greatest fighter in UFC history being mishandled, and does she even know what a story she’s sitting on?

Head to https://www.tryfum.com/WELCOMECHAEL to get your free gift with purchase, and start The Good Habit today!

To support this program, please review it on Apple Podcastsor submit a rating on my Spotify page.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sean Strickland wants $1 million to fight Nassourdine Imavov — the deal stalled, and now Oliveira vs. Lopes for the BMF title headlines UFC 335 instead. Chael breaks down what that means for Imavov, who's been sitting out healthy and willing while the clock runs. Then the Pereira-Pavlovich breakdown: why the worst possible matchup is actually the perfect one for Alex. Plus Ask Uncle Chael covers Payton Talbott's O'Malley callout, the case for making that fight a true semifinal, RAF coaching rankings, and whether Gable Steveson has a glass jaw.

Head to https://www.tryfum.com/WELCOMECHAEL to get your free gift with purchase, and start The Good Habit today!

To support this program, please review it on Apple Podcastsor submit a rating on my Spotify page.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Eddie Hearn bans Dana White from the Fury-Joshua press conference, but Nick Khan shows up anyway. Chael breaks down the contract language and explains why the real fight is off-camera. Scott Coker launches Ki MMA as a purist alternative just as a CBS numbered event puts Valentina's flyweight title on the line in a legit number one contenders match. Chael makes the case for shortening fight duration as the single best safety fix in MMA, and explains how 25 minutes became standard by complete accident. Then the full Gable Steveson defense: Olympic champion, WWE, NFL, bare knuckle, MMA job-hopper or once-in-a-generation athlete? Plus: Paddy Pimblett calls for TUF coaching against Ilia Topuria, Alex Pereira gets an opponent, and Johnny Walker moves to heavyweight.

To support this program, please review it on Apple Podcastsor submit a rating on my Spotify page.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dana White and Eddie Hearn are at war over the Fury-Joshua fight, and Chael breaks down who's right, who's telling the truth, and why the feud itself is bigger news than the fight. Then: Justin Gaethje is on a media tour and Chael reads between every line - what he's really saying about Arman Tsarukyan and what comes next. Darren Till beats Yoel Romero at bare knuckle and Chael explains why the right guy won, knockdown and all. Finally, Tom Aspinall is out with an eye injury, Ciryl Gane is undisputed, and Chael digs into the subconscious reasons fighters don't come back when the matchup waiting for them is a hard one. You're welcome.

To support this program, please review it on Apple Podcastsor submit a rating on my Spotify page.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Chael's got a Volkov problem. The man does everything right, beats everybody, and still can't get what he deserves. Chael explains exactly why, and what Volkov needs to do about it. Then: Justin Gaethje breaks down the lightweight division, says Ilia Topuria is too small for 155, and tells everyone don't call him until next year. Chael reads between the lines. Paddy Pimblett took a tough loss to Arman Tsarukyan - is he done or just dusty? Plus oblique kicks, heel hooks, and should the UFC be banning things? Ask Uncle Chael closes it out. You're welcome.

To support this program, please review it on Apple Podcastsor submit a rating on my Spotify page.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ciryl Gane is officially the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, and Josh Hokit is next at Madison Square Garden. Chael breaks down the heavyweight picture, including why Alex Pereira vs. Alexander Volkov is already done - they just haven't told you yet. Then: Chael predicts Justin Gaethje wants Arman Tsarukyan, and why that makes perfect sense. Joshua Van just beat Alexandre Pantoja again and looks like something different at flyweight. And Gable Steveson got knocked out - here's the one lesson a wrestler can never forget. Plus: a man fought an actual robot. Chael has thoughts.

To support this program, please review it on Apple Podcastsor submit a rating on my Spotify page.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Chael is in Miami and the UFC just called him with breaking news: Josh Hokit fights Ciryl Gane for the undisputed heavyweight championship at Madison Square Garden. He was so excited he forgot to ask any questions. Alex Pereira was just photographed in the UFC offices with Hunter Campbell looking very happy — Chael thinks he knows why, and it likely involves Alexander Volkov and a number one contenders match on the same card. Then Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy is a legitimate number one contenders match for Justin Gaethje's title, and Chael lays out exactly how he thinks it plays out and why. Ariel Helwani thinks he can feel something in the air about an upset. Chael disagrees and explains. Ask Uncle Chael covers Anderson Silva vs. Daniel Cormier, the oblique kick debate, Palantir stock, fighting Jon Jones with a broken toe, scary ring walks, USADA vs. the current testing protocol, Vanderlei Silva's one weakness, and the five things Chael would tell his son to make the high school wrestling team. Plus, Blaine Natal gets his day.

To support this program, please review it on Apple Podcastsor submit a rating on my Spotify page.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tom Aspinall vacated the UFC heavyweight title at 1am and Chael was up at 5am to bring you this. Aspinall's statement was real, not PR, and Chael gives him full credit. Ciryl Gane is now the undisputed heavyweight champion without throwing a punch to get there. Jon Jones didn't want to fight Aspinall. Does he want Gane? That question is now very much alive. Josh Hokit is the rightful number one contender and Chael makes the case. Lerone Murphy said what a lot of people are thinking — Volkanovski's best days are behind him. Chael isn't sure and explains why Volk deserves more credit than he gets. Then Tommy McMillen. Could he be the second biggest star in UFC history behind Conor McGregor? Chael thinks it's not crazy. Plus the Ilia Topuria rematch debate. Chael still thinks it's the right fight.

To support this program, please review it on Apple Podcastsor submit a rating on my Spotify page.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Chael makes the case that Ilia Topuria deserves an immediate rematch with Justin Gaethje and everyone resisting it is wrong. Salahdine Parnasse knocks out Dan Hooker in his UFC debut and calls out Max Holloway. Chael says Max has to accept. Not that the fight gets made. That Max has to accept. Ian Garry publicly predicted Carlos Prates can beat Islam Makhachev. From the guy who hugged Islam three times during their title fight. Chael wants Ian to explain himself. Michael Morales is in a dogfight for the number one contender spot and his management team doesn't seem to know it. Then Chael just got back from Moscow. Alexander Karelin, Khamzat Chimaev, Islam Makhachev all in the same room.

To support this program, please review it on Apple Podcastsor submit a rating on my Spotify page.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tom Aspinall is still a mystery. Eddie Hearn says he is back at full training. Josh Hokit says that is a rules violation. Chael has heard from teammates and none of it adds up the same way. Ciryl Gane and Alex Pereira keep the rematch conversation alive and Chael still is not sure it needs to happen. Justin Gaethje has all but said his next fight is his last. Chael believes him and breaks down who that fight should be against and why Ilia Topuria getting an immediate rematch is the wrong call for everyone. Salahdine Parnasse just knocked out Dan Hooker in Paris in round one and Chael says he should be the one welcoming Usman Nurmagomedov to the UFC. Arman Tsarukyan and Parnasse as a number one contenders fight is the biggest draw on the card and the winner should get Gaethje's final. Ian Garry looked around the welterweight division, did the math, and called out Michael Morales. Chael explains why that was a chess move not desperation.

To support this program, please review it on Apple Podcastsor submit a rating on my Spotify page.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Chael is in Moscow with Luke Barnatt on Zoom. TUF 17, Chael's first pick, now a promoter, Octagon commentator, and the most well-dressed bouncer in MMA history. Andrew and Tristan Tate are in a Miami detention center fighting UK extradition and Luke has been in their corner for years. He breaks down the political case and why if they touch down on UK soil it is over. Chael asks the one question everyone wants answered: is anyone protecting US citizens from being handed to a foreign government? Tom Aspinall is not coming back. Luke is close to people close to Tom and he is hearing nothing. That is not a small data point. Ateba Gautier, the Cameroonian middleweight destroying Vegas gyms, gets a proper introduction. Luke announces Spirit Fighting Championship, a new MMA promotion launching in Africa on UFC Fight Pass. Ask Uncle Chael covers wrestling technique, Anderson Silva, and how to deal with stupid people.

To support this program, please review it on Apple Podcastsor submit a rating on my Spotify page.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Khamzat Chimaev is calling out Sean Strickland, Dricus du Plessis, Nassourdine Imavov, and Caio Borralho all at once. Chael sorts out which of those fights actually happen and which one is a waste of a callout. Usman Nurmagomedov is UFC-bound and nobody in the top 15 wants that phone call. Dan Hooker is the only one raising his hand. Chael explains why that's exactly right and why every other fighter in the division is leaving opportunity on the table. Then Song Yadong knocks out Umar Nurmagomedov as a massive underdog in Shanghai, and Chael doesn't think the better fighter won. He breaks down the millisecond that decided the fight, why the Nurmagomedov team style was always going to get caught, and what Song completely failed to do in the post-fight interview that could cost him everything. Usman jumps the cage to get to his fallen brother. Against the rules? Yes. Awesome? Also yes. Henry Cejudo demands an immediate rematch. Chael pushes back hard. Muhammad Mokaev won a championship and wants back into the UFC. Chael says the door might be open and explains why the path there is one of the hardest roads in the sport.

To support this program, please review it on Apple Podcastsor submit a rating on my Spotify page.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tom Aspinall just put out a statement saying he's not leaving the UFC. Chael breaks down what that statement actually says versus what it doesn't, and why the difference matters for the entire heavyweight division. Ciryl Gane is the interim champion. The division has two belts and the worst-selling pay-per-view of last year. Where does this go? Then Paddy Pimblett vs. Arman Tsarukyan is being billed as a number one contenders fight for Justin Gaethje's title. Chael was in Philly, interviewed both men, and came away with one very confident quote from Tsarukyan and one very measured answer from Pimblett. He explains why the sport needs to honor what this fight is supposed to be. Tyson Fury says he didn't train for the Francis Ngannou fight because it wasn't a real fight. Chael explains exactly why that story doesn't hold up. Ask Uncle Chael covers the difference between a hardcore MMA fan and a casual, the state of WWE with Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns, and why collegiate wrestling is the single biggest advantage any fighter can have.

To support this program, please review it on Apple Podcastsor submit a rating on my Spotify page.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.