Middleweight contender Chael Sonnen (front center) took time from his pre-UFC on FOX 2 fight preparations to visit with fans at Clay Guida's (back center) MMA Stop Fitness in Crest Hill, Illinois. (MMA Gospel File Photo)
Last night outspoken middleweight contender Chael Sonnen (25-11-1) took time out from his packed schedule in the week leading up to his UFC on FOX 2 bout against “The Count” Michael Bisping (22-3) to hold a mini-seminar, private workout, and autograph signing for the fans and fighters at “The Carpenter” Clay Guida’s (29-12) MMA Stop Fitness in the Chicago suburb of Crest Hill.
Though a busy week preparing for his fight limited the affair to just two hours and a few dozen people, it was another prominent display of how top level MMA fighters remain accessible to their fans despite continued mainstream growth in the sport. In his seminar, Sonnen covered wrestling drills and a few other training tips as well as how to handle stepping into the big show. With a series of questions he addressed handling the bright lights saying, “Are you the toughest guy in your family? If that guy [your UFC opponent] comes over are you now the second toughest? Does he get to take the remote and hold the Doritos? Of course not! If you can beat him in your house, then you can beat him Saturday night in the Octagon, it’s no different.” Chael Sonnen gave the members of the gym more than just the two hours promised despite becoming physically ill after his workout. Continue reading »
