On UFC TONIGHT, Chael Sonnen officially announced his retirement from fighting. Then, the team previewed UFC 174: JOHNSON VS. BAGAUTINOV and interviewed champion Demetrious Johnson before his title fight. Plus, UFC 176 headliners Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes discussed their upcoming featherweight title fight. Helwani and Bryant added reports.
UFC TONIGHT’s Chael Sonnen on his failed drug test: “When I woke up yesterday morning, I never would have had the foggiest idea that I was going to get notified that I had a banned substance in my system. These are not performance enhancing drugs, these are not illegal drugs and these are not steroids. They banned testosterone use in Nevada. Now I had to comply with that because I was a user. When you come off this you have to go through a transition phase. We were very transparent about that.”
Sonnen on if he takes responsibility for his failed test: “I absolutely take responsibility. When I spoke with Dana White yesterday, and he was on FOX Sports 1, he was very clear to say that Chael needed to talk to the commission. I agree with that. This was out of competition testing. I’m only the third athlete to go through this. There are some moving parts and a little bit of a learning curve. In the meanwhile, my wife and I were having problems with fertility. This is a matter of health and being a parent and this is a matter of being able to live in the next chapter of my life. At no point was there an attempt to slip around the system. I want to admit fault and accept full responsibility. Yesterday when this came out, I was mad. I was a fighter and I went in defense mode. However ultimately the rules are the rules and I’m a rules guy, I don’t want to break the rules. And ultimately it comes down to the athlete to make sure he’s in compliance.”
Sonnen announces his retirement: “Guys, I’ve had a great time. I want to thank coaches Roy Pittman and Dave Sanville and I want to thank my coach Clayton Hires. These guys taught me how to fight and they taught me how to set goals and work hard and persevere, and they stood by me. I want to thank FOX and the leadership at UFC. I want to think Bill Brady, who gave me a second wind. He’s a member of the Nevada State Athletic Commission and he believed in me when I really needed someone to believe in me. And I owe the second wind in my career to him. And I want to thank the single most important opponent I’ve ever had, I couldn’t have gotten where I am without the dance partner, Anderson Silva. Thank you for the opportunity and the memories. Thank you for the invitation to the barbecue. I want to officially announce my retirement from competitive mixed martial arts.”
Sonnen on Ali Bagautinov and his title challenge at UFC 174: “I cannot say enough good things about the Russian fighters, they are durable, they’re tough, they’re tacticians and they’re smart. I do think he’ll have a speed disadvantage and possibly a conditioning problem against DJ in a five-round fight.”
UFC TONIGHT’s Kenny Florian on Bagautinov: “I think he has the power advantage and the wrestling advantage. The key is can he cut off the cage against the speedy Demetrious Johnson? Can he slow down the champion?”
Sonnen on Johnson’s skills: “DJ really surprised me when he took on Moraga and he put on a wrestling display. I think he can wrestle with this guy. I don’t think Bagautinov will put him in the corner and be able to drop down to his legs. His defense can beat Ali’s offense.”
Demetrious Johnson on his fight against Bagautinov: “He’s a two-time world combat Sambo champion. I’m excited to get in there and test my skills against him.”
Johnson on his improvement: “I always get better working with Matt Hume. After this fight, I’ll be able to talk about things we’ve been working on for this fight. I’ve been with him for two years straight.”
Johnson on how he’ll beat Bagautinov: “He looks like a very durable guy. If I need to beat him up for 25 minutes, I will. The speed advantage, that’s what I’m known for.”
Jose Aldo on if Chad Mendes is the same fighter he fought the first time: “Each fight is a fight. We try to evolve and improved our techniques after each fight. He has credentials, but we’re prepared for him.”
Aldo on this fight being different than the first: “I don’t see the fight going a different way. He has his own characteristics and he’ll train to improve those characteristics, when push comes to shove he’ll go back to what thinks is safest for him.”
Aldo on a rivalry between his team and Team Alpha Male: “I don’t believe there’s a rivalry. Both teams are great teams and there’s a more healthy rivalry between the teams.”
Chad Mendes on his rematch with Jose Aldo: “When I fought him in the first time, I had two fights in the UFC. I’d say 90 percent of my game was wrestling. My game plan was to go out there, take him down and grind it out. That’s all I had. I didn’t have a head coach. I’m a completely different fighter from the first fight. I’ve grown up, matured, my standup and striking, my full mixed martial arts skill has improved. I want to show on August 2 that I’m the man.”
Mendes on if he’ll beat Aldo: “I beat Jose Aldo. I’m very confident. This is my time. I’ve trained my whole life for this moment. We’re going to make history August 2. This is my time to prove to the world that I’m the best featherweight in the world.”