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IMO, modern MMA history exists in two segments thus far.
Pre-TUF (my preference) and Post-TUF.
It has been over 10 years since the TUF premiere.
Who is the one fighter that has been at the top and also had the personality to most influence modern MMA during this time?
There is only one answer to this.
Far behind him, there is no one.
1. Fought for 3 UFC Championships. Dominated MW champ for 4 1/2 rounds and was 2 minutes away from having the belt. Was seconds away from handing Jones a defeat and taking the LHW belt. Jones even shied away from the first fight offer against Sonnen to properly prepare for a fighter of that caliber, despite the fact that Sonnen was much smaller than Jones.
2. Had amazing BJJ. Was the first fighter to submit Shogun Rua.
3. Showed that TRT and HGH could be used to positive effect in MMA and that the key was not to abuse them.
4. Got a gig with ESPN quite easily after his dismissal from FOX. Was dismissed for HGH use AS AN ATHLETE, while his broadcasting partner is still at FOX after PLAGIARIZING.
5. Defeated Yushin Okami, Brian Stann, Nate Marquardt, Dan Miller, Michael Bisping, and Shogun Rua. Also defeated the legendary Wanderlei Silva in an unsanctioned match.
6. Changed weight classes casually, the way we might change into a different t-shirt.
7. He excelled at the world class level in MMA while also selling real estate and having political aspirations.
8. Still, by far, the most commanding personality in the MMA world. When Uncle Chael speaks, everyone listens.
9. Founding member of notorious West Linn, Oregon gang.
10. His fearlessness transcended weight class. Once, he famously called out the powerful Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva for a fight.
C'mon ladies, give a hand to Chael Sonnen. The personality and fighter who has most dominated the spotlight in American MMA since the first airing of TUF.
Pre-TUF (my preference) and Post-TUF.
It has been over 10 years since the TUF premiere.
Who is the one fighter that has been at the top and also had the personality to most influence modern MMA during this time?
There is only one answer to this.
Far behind him, there is no one.
1. Fought for 3 UFC Championships. Dominated MW champ for 4 1/2 rounds and was 2 minutes away from having the belt. Was seconds away from handing Jones a defeat and taking the LHW belt. Jones even shied away from the first fight offer against Sonnen to properly prepare for a fighter of that caliber, despite the fact that Sonnen was much smaller than Jones.
2. Had amazing BJJ. Was the first fighter to submit Shogun Rua.
3. Showed that TRT and HGH could be used to positive effect in MMA and that the key was not to abuse them.
4. Got a gig with ESPN quite easily after his dismissal from FOX. Was dismissed for HGH use AS AN ATHLETE, while his broadcasting partner is still at FOX after PLAGIARIZING.
5. Defeated Yushin Okami, Brian Stann, Nate Marquardt, Dan Miller, Michael Bisping, and Shogun Rua. Also defeated the legendary Wanderlei Silva in an unsanctioned match.
6. Changed weight classes casually, the way we might change into a different t-shirt.
7. He excelled at the world class level in MMA while also selling real estate and having political aspirations.
8. Still, by far, the most commanding personality in the MMA world. When Uncle Chael speaks, everyone listens.
9. Founding member of notorious West Linn, Oregon gang.
10. His fearlessness transcended weight class. Once, he famously called out the powerful Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva for a fight.
C'mon ladies, give a hand to Chael Sonnen. The personality and fighter who has most dominated the spotlight in American MMA since the first airing of TUF.
