Chael Sonnen on the Issues: His 15 Most Inflammatory Quotes

If you're a mixed martial arts fan, you may have heard of someone named Chael Sonnen. No? Well, the thing about him is that he's a good fighter, but more importantly, he's a bit of an outspoken personality.

You may have heard about his political campaign, which he had to cut short for some reason. No? Well, he had one.

These two pastimes actually make terrific bedfellows in the body of Sonnen. Here's a guy who's not afraid to roll up his sleeves and join the fray. Whether it be on Twitter or live and in person, Sonnen never pulls punches. And he seems to have a lot to throw.

Here's a look at 15 of Chael's most inflammatory remarks, and what they reveal about his views on the most pressing issues we face as a nation.

(Note: All spelling and grammar mistakes within the quotes are those of the original writer. All others are my fault.)

15. On Substance Abuse

"When your coach tells you to hit the 'speed bag,' he’s not telling you grab your ballon of meth, you tweaker."

— Feb. 18, 2011, in reference to Michael Bisping who, according to Sonnen, is an obvious drug addict

14. On Technology

"Anderson just fired Ed Soares and replaced him with a Translation App he got on his phone for $14.95."

— July 22, 2010

13. On Relations with Asia

"For god sake, 205 had a karate guy that was their champion. I mean that weight class is a joke."

— June 2, 2010, referencing Lyoto Machida

12. On Bullying

"Talking about he's the baddest guy in the UFC? Brock, quit eating so many raw eggs and doing push-ups because it's affecting your realm of reality. Are you kidding me? I'd slap you in your face, and you wouldn't do anything. 'I'm Brock Lesnar. I've got this $5 haircut and a knife tattooed on my chest.'"

— Sept. 14, 2010

11. On Gang Violence

"He’s a grown man with earrings. He’s a grown man with saggy pants, pink T-shirts and crooked hats. Go join a gang, don’t get in the UFC."

— April 29, 2010, referencing suspected gang member (according to Sonnen) Anderson Silva

10. On Personal Responsibility

"Please mention to your idiot-in-residence Michael Spitsbing it’ll be a little tougher to knee ME in the head when I’m charging at him like a runaway train and mincing him through the fence like a boiled potato, should we ever have the pleasure of each other’s company for a few (VERY few) moments in the Octagon. Oh; and I’d suggest to him being a little careful about spitting on any of MY cornermen, since any one of them can beat him up as badly as I can. Thanks ever so much."

— March 2, 2011

9. On Our Neighbors to the North

"Dang it, that guy sounds like a French-Canadian Minnie Mouse...GSP, bring your $3,000 suit, bring your $3 date and get the three-cent tan knocked off your socialist back.' If you see GSP, give him that message for me."

— Sept. 14, 2010, in reference to Georges St-Pierre, who hails from the socialist nation of Canada

8. On Pornography

"Maybe after I destroy the Anderson Silva myth, he can get work on fellow MMA 'fighter' Jose Canseco’s upcoming porn flick as 'fluffer.'"

— June 25, 2010

(As an interesting side note, I counted five insults in this 23-word sentence. That’s one insult for every 4.6 words.)

7. On Our Nation's Crumbling Infrastructure

"More guys have worked on your face than it took to build the Pyramids. You look like Lisa Rinna with a Leprechaun beard, you fool."

— Dec. 20, 2010, referencing Wanderlei Silva, possibly in the context of this photo.

6. On Gay Marriage

"The next thing you'll hear is me picking the lock of your bedroom door and taking a photograph of you in bed with the Nogueira brothers working on your 'jiu-jitsu.'"

— July 6, 2011, referencing Wanderlei Silva

5. On Politics

"I punch [Anderson Silva] 300 times, he punches me a couple and they call him the champion? In what parallel universe does that make you the winner? I am the champion. I've been the champion."

— July 6, 2011. Only a politician could come up with something like that.

4. On Immigration

"Wanderlei, you are an immigrant from Brazil. I am a gangster from America."

— July 6, 2011, referencing Wanderlei Silva

 

3. On Animal Rights

"You’re lucky your brother Joe’s the matchmaker or you’d be sellin’ barbecued monkey on the street in Manaus."

— Dec. 20, 2010, referencing Wanderlei Silva and UFC matchmaker Joe Silva, who simply MUST be related.

2. On Conserving Our Natural Resources

"If it wasn’t for me, you would be thrashing around the jungle w/a blowgun trying’ to catch breakfast."

— Dec. 20, 2010, referencing (you guessed it) Wanderlei Silva.

(December 20 was a busy day.)

1. On Health Care

"Lance Armstrong did a number of things and he gave himself cancer. He cheated, he did drugs, and he gave himself cancer. Well, instead of saying ‘Hey listen, I cheated and gave myself cancer, don't be like me.' He actually made himself the victim and then went out and profited something like $15 million dollars from this ‘Hey, poor me, let's find a cure for cancer' campaign instead of just coming clean and saying, ‘Look, here's what I did, I screwed myself up, and I hope people learn from my mistakes.' You just watch these guys and can't help but think, God, what a fraud."

— Aug. 4, 2010