Chael Sonnen’s Response to Olympic Wrestling Ban (Video)
As you no doubt have heard, the IOC have confirmed that wrestling will not be included in 2020 Olympic program (as of now). With MMA and wrestling afiocionados alike irate at this irrational and frankly outrageous news, it was (unsurprisingly) UFC contender Chael Sonnen’s response on UFC Tonight that was the most entertaining.
Criticizing not only the decision itself, Sonnen also unleashed on wrestling’s governing body at their inability to keep this most ancient of Olympic sports in the Games.
“Look, we have an idiocracy known as FILA that has ruined the sport. We have two knuckleheads that you couldn’t trust to run your local doughnut shop, regulating our sport of wrestling. At the same time, is this a surprise? No, wrestling has cannibalized itself from ten spots on the world and Olympic team, to 9, to 8, to 7. Look guys, it’s basic science, the number one rule in biology, you either evolve, or you become extinct.
“I am not the bearer of good news. I am not the one who is going to spark a fake light, spark a fake fire behind the perverbial back of this fight. It’s over guys. And it’s not over in 2020. It’s over in 2016.
“Here are the facts they are not telling you. Wrestling in this country is supported by the United States Olympic Committee. That ATM is going to close the moment they roll out the mat in 2016. You’ve got three and a half years left. You’re going to count on a governing body that couldn’t gain up one spot, move us from seven to eight, to save the whole sport? It’s over, prepare the eulogy.”









Badminton? Curling? Ping pong?
Come on man!!!!??????
100% AGREE WITH CHAEL. IT IS PURE BULLSHIT TO SCRAP WRESTLING FROM THE OLYMPICS.
I agree with Dana White when he says this could be beneficial to MMA in the long run. Chael is correct in is assertion that the monkeys that run the American wrestling program are as sharp as a marble. If there is anything good that comes from this idiocy it will be that wrestlers can now start training and MAKING money instead of relying on a group of idiots for stipends that barely provide enough assistance to even eat.
I agree with Chael. But, disagree with Dana. Wrestling has been the foundation for many of, if not most of the best MMA fighers since MMA started. It’s a sad deal.
All grapplers should be sad to see one of the few forms of grappling that you can win a metal at that level in. I guess it just changes to high school and college judo then?
I’m not sure if I agree with him but I love his articulation!
Agreed 100%
That is F’d up, that is the realist test of athleticism.
For once, yes.
In my opinion wrestling is one of the truest sports that can be traced back for cenury’s and is one of the key arts that can determine if a mma fighter is good or great, its a damn shame is what it is that the olympic knuckleheads would even think about banning it but yet they allow fast walking?. But I do not agree with sonnen that this fight is over its just begun
First time I agree with Sonnen