1 00:00:03,795 --> 00:00:06,213 - Anderson Silva versus Chael Sonnen, 2 00:00:06,214 --> 00:00:08,716 the Fake Guy versus the Bad Guy! 3 00:00:08,717 --> 00:00:11,344 NARRATOR: No one is as good at selling a fight 4 00:00:11,469 --> 00:00:12,679 as the bad guy. 5 00:00:12,804 --> 00:00:16,098 JOHN: Chael understood, "I don't care if you don't like me. 6 00:00:16,099 --> 00:00:18,392 "I don't care if you don't like what I say. 7 00:00:18,393 --> 00:00:20,519 "I care that you wanna watch." 8 00:00:20,520 --> 00:00:23,022 - I got the biggest arms, I got the greatest charm, 9 00:00:23,148 --> 00:00:24,732 and I do all the harm! 10 00:00:24,733 --> 00:00:27,651 JOHN: The greatest trash-talker that MMA has ever seen. 11 00:00:27,652 --> 00:00:30,279 - I'm gonna put him on his prissy little ass. 12 00:00:30,280 --> 00:00:34,075 RANDY: Chael was surgically launching very strategic mortars 13 00:00:34,200 --> 00:00:38,120 into that other camp to see what kind of reaction he got. 14 00:00:38,121 --> 00:00:40,081 NARRATOR: Sometimes, he crosses a line. 15 00:00:40,206 --> 00:00:42,042 CHAEL: You tell Anderson Silva I'm coming over 16 00:00:42,167 --> 00:00:44,126 and I'm pattin' his old lady on the ass, 17 00:00:44,127 --> 00:00:45,961 and I'm tellin' her to make me a steak. 18 00:00:45,962 --> 00:00:47,213 ANDERSON: Chael talk a lot of shit. 19 00:00:47,338 --> 00:00:49,173 I just think, "I go kill this guy." 20 00:00:49,174 --> 00:00:51,300 - I'm here purely to win the world championship. 21 00:00:51,301 --> 00:00:54,762 Getting to beat up Anderson is just a bonus. 22 00:00:54,763 --> 00:00:56,138 NARRATOR: But in the Octagon... 23 00:00:56,139 --> 00:00:58,433 ANDERSON: Five rounds, punching hard in my head, 24 00:00:58,558 --> 00:01:01,101 punching hard in my body, it's insane. 25 00:01:01,102 --> 00:01:02,270 NARRATOR: ...he walks the walk. 26 00:01:02,395 --> 00:01:04,229 DANA: He put himself on the map last week 27 00:01:04,230 --> 00:01:06,231 saying some crazy shit, 28 00:01:06,232 --> 00:01:10,152 and he put himself on the map tonight doing some crazy shit. 29 00:01:10,153 --> 00:01:12,447 NARRATOR: Until MMA's favourite character... 30 00:01:12,572 --> 00:01:15,617 JOHN: You looked at his fights and there were just moments 31 00:01:15,742 --> 00:01:17,410 that he seemed to freeze. 32 00:01:18,453 --> 00:01:20,162 RANDY: What the hell just happened? 33 00:01:20,163 --> 00:01:23,582 NARRATOR: ...begins showing a lack of character. 34 00:01:23,583 --> 00:01:26,752 - Chael Sonnen's claim that he had the okay 35 00:01:26,753 --> 00:01:30,422 to do testosterone replacement therapy in California... 36 00:01:30,423 --> 00:01:32,467 the commission says that's a total lie. 37 00:01:32,592 --> 00:01:34,177 - He was willing to take that risk. 38 00:01:34,302 --> 00:01:36,011 CHAEL: I don't wanna say anything to you 39 00:01:36,012 --> 00:01:37,513 that comes off as an excuse. 40 00:01:37,514 --> 00:01:38,807 I... I am guilty. 41 00:01:38,932 --> 00:01:40,892 NARRATOR: Is performative transparency 42 00:01:41,017 --> 00:01:43,185 Chael Sonnen's deliverance? 43 00:01:43,186 --> 00:01:45,438 STEVEN: I am so impressed by his ability 44 00:01:45,563 --> 00:01:47,107 to be able to completely dodge trouble 45 00:01:47,232 --> 00:01:49,149 at almost every turn. 46 00:01:49,150 --> 00:01:51,111 JOHN: I call him the Teflon Don. 47 00:01:51,236 --> 00:01:53,320 NARRATOR: Or is it a career-limiting trap? 48 00:01:53,321 --> 00:01:55,115 - He is who he is. He's a persona. 49 00:01:55,240 --> 00:01:56,783 - Do you leave with any regrets? 50 00:01:56,908 --> 00:01:59,660 - No, no. I loved every minute. 51 00:01:59,661 --> 00:02:01,121 - This is different. 52 00:02:01,246 --> 00:02:03,539 Is his life starting to go off the rails? 53 00:02:03,540 --> 00:02:05,374 OFFICER: You have the right to remain silent. 54 00:02:05,375 --> 00:02:07,751 Anything you say can be used against you in a court of law. 55 00:02:07,752 --> 00:02:10,838 CREW: Episode 204, Chael Sonnen. Take one. Mark. 56 00:02:10,839 --> 00:02:12,089 - Oh, we've started. This is it. 57 00:02:12,090 --> 00:02:13,800 We're doing it. Alright, I'm ready. 58 00:02:13,925 --> 00:02:17,053 There's a relief to just tell the story the way it happened. 59 00:02:17,971 --> 00:02:19,805 [theme music] 60 00:02:19,806 --> 00:02:27,313 ♪ 61 00:02:27,439 --> 00:02:30,859 ♪ 62 00:02:30,984 --> 00:02:33,153 ♪ 63 00:02:37,782 --> 00:02:42,578 CHAEL: In 1993, I went with my buddy to a local video store, 64 00:02:42,579 --> 00:02:45,873 and we rented something called Ultimate Fighting Championship. 65 00:02:45,874 --> 00:02:47,583 My dad had always told me 66 00:02:47,584 --> 00:02:49,918 that the baddest dude in the room is the boxer. 67 00:02:49,919 --> 00:02:51,546 The next closest is the wrestler. 68 00:02:51,671 --> 00:02:54,214 You don't have to worry about these karate guys. 69 00:02:54,215 --> 00:02:55,591 And right on the cover it says, 70 00:02:55,592 --> 00:02:58,552 "No rules. No time limits. No judges." 71 00:02:58,553 --> 00:03:00,347 I remember seeing that and going, "No, no, no, 72 00:03:00,472 --> 00:03:04,350 "whoever is best at this, that's the toughest guy in the world." 73 00:03:04,476 --> 00:03:08,271 And I told my dad, "I know what I wanna do with my life." 74 00:03:10,190 --> 00:03:12,983 My name's Chael Sonnen. 75 00:03:12,984 --> 00:03:14,611 I'm the greatest fighter of all time. 76 00:03:17,030 --> 00:03:19,740 ♪ 77 00:03:19,741 --> 00:03:22,660 CLAUDIA: Chael was a real mama's boy. 78 00:03:22,661 --> 00:03:25,829 And I used to say to him when he was first grade, 79 00:03:25,830 --> 00:03:29,083 "Are you gonna sit on my lap when you're 16 years old?" 80 00:03:29,084 --> 00:03:30,543 "Yes, I am, Mom." 81 00:03:30,669 --> 00:03:33,670 "Are you gonna sit on my lap when you're married?" 82 00:03:33,671 --> 00:03:35,090 "Yes, I am, Mom." 83 00:03:35,215 --> 00:03:37,591 [laughs] 84 00:03:37,592 --> 00:03:41,261 I'm Claudia Sonnen, mother of Chael Sonnen. 85 00:03:41,262 --> 00:03:45,433 And to the world, he might be known as "the Bad Guy." 86 00:03:45,558 --> 00:03:48,395 To his family, he is known as the best guy. 87 00:03:52,148 --> 00:03:54,067 NARRATOR: Chael grows up in West Linn, 88 00:03:54,192 --> 00:03:56,443 an upscale suburb of Portland, Oregon, 89 00:03:56,444 --> 00:03:58,113 countering the adage 90 00:03:58,238 --> 00:04:00,906 that it takes hard times to make hard people. 91 00:04:00,907 --> 00:04:05,286 MATT: Chael's dad, Pat, was a hardworking blue-collar guy, 92 00:04:05,412 --> 00:04:07,288 took a plumbing company 93 00:04:07,414 --> 00:04:11,459 and built that into a real estate development company, 94 00:04:11,584 --> 00:04:14,921 and was able to build some pretty substantial wealth. 95 00:04:15,046 --> 00:04:19,133 CHAEL: I was born in West Linn and I will die in West Linn. 96 00:04:19,134 --> 00:04:20,135 I had a great upbringing. 97 00:04:20,260 --> 00:04:21,970 I was from the other side of the tracks. 98 00:04:22,095 --> 00:04:23,220 I was born rich. 99 00:04:23,221 --> 00:04:25,807 CLAUDIA: Chael was a really good kid. 100 00:04:25,932 --> 00:04:28,642 You know, I just didn't have a whole lot of worries. 101 00:04:28,643 --> 00:04:31,688 He was very popular at school. Kids liked him. 102 00:04:32,939 --> 00:04:34,941 CHAEL: I loved wrestling 'cause my father wrestled, 103 00:04:35,066 --> 00:04:37,152 and my uncles wrestled, and all my cousins wrestled, 104 00:04:37,277 --> 00:04:38,570 and I was the youngest, 105 00:04:38,695 --> 00:04:41,573 so I just thought that's what you were supposed to do. 106 00:04:42,532 --> 00:04:44,993 NARRATOR: And when Chael shows potential, 107 00:04:45,118 --> 00:04:46,369 his dad invests in it. 108 00:04:47,454 --> 00:04:49,872 - I was one of his plumbers' assistants. 109 00:04:49,873 --> 00:04:51,623 His dad said, uh, 110 00:04:51,624 --> 00:04:53,835 "You know, hey, you're a very accomplished wrestler, 111 00:04:53,960 --> 00:04:57,004 "and my son has high, lofty goals in wrestling. 112 00:04:57,005 --> 00:04:59,632 "Would you train him privately? Would you work with him?" 113 00:05:00,675 --> 00:05:02,844 I'm Matt Lindland, and I've had some success 114 00:05:02,969 --> 00:05:04,512 in the sport of wrestling. 115 00:05:04,637 --> 00:05:07,306 I got the opportunity to coach Chael when he was a young man. 116 00:05:07,307 --> 00:05:08,390 He was in high school. 117 00:05:08,391 --> 00:05:10,852 He was just in his formative years. 118 00:05:10,977 --> 00:05:12,854 He's a great athlete. 119 00:05:12,979 --> 00:05:15,774 Incredible athlete. He's an intelligent boy. 120 00:05:17,067 --> 00:05:18,693 He had all the opportunities. 121 00:05:18,818 --> 00:05:21,488 You know, his dad could go out and hire private coaches 122 00:05:21,613 --> 00:05:24,948 for him, could send him to the best training camps. 123 00:05:24,949 --> 00:05:27,327 He took him to these rougher environments so he could-- 124 00:05:27,452 --> 00:05:29,329 he could toughen Chael up a little bit. 125 00:05:29,454 --> 00:05:31,039 [whistle blows] 126 00:05:31,164 --> 00:05:33,290 NARRATOR: At 16, Chael qualifies 127 00:05:33,291 --> 00:05:35,459 for the Oregon State Tournament. 128 00:05:35,460 --> 00:05:37,711 MATT: Chael's out there wrestling Jim Koontz. 129 00:05:37,712 --> 00:05:41,006 And Jim's a tough, rough kid from Roseburg, 130 00:05:41,007 --> 00:05:42,800 a logging town down south. 131 00:05:42,801 --> 00:05:44,844 He's punching Chael, headbutting him, 132 00:05:44,969 --> 00:05:45,887 beating him up. 133 00:05:46,012 --> 00:05:49,307 ♪ 134 00:05:49,432 --> 00:05:51,226 Chael's, "Ow! Time out, time out! 135 00:05:51,351 --> 00:05:52,727 "I need a little break." 136 00:05:52,852 --> 00:05:54,144 [whistle blows] 137 00:05:54,145 --> 00:05:56,897 MATT: I walk over, he's like, "He's hurting me, Coach." 138 00:05:56,898 --> 00:05:58,858 And I'm like, "Hurt him back, dude. 139 00:05:58,983 --> 00:06:00,442 "Hurt him back." 140 00:06:00,443 --> 00:06:01,861 You have to learn how to be tough. 141 00:06:01,987 --> 00:06:04,113 You gotta learn how to fight through adversity 142 00:06:04,114 --> 00:06:05,657 and a little struggle. 143 00:06:06,658 --> 00:06:08,075 NARRATOR: After Chael loses, 144 00:06:08,076 --> 00:06:11,578 Matt knows he needs to teach his student to harden up. 145 00:06:11,579 --> 00:06:14,289 He enters Chael into a competition 146 00:06:14,290 --> 00:06:16,418 where the lessons will be hands-on. 147 00:06:16,543 --> 00:06:19,586 MATT: I sent him out to Arizona. It's the Sunkist Open. 148 00:06:19,587 --> 00:06:21,672 Chael and I are the same weight. 149 00:06:21,673 --> 00:06:23,716 I've been training him. I've been coaching him. 150 00:06:23,717 --> 00:06:26,553 But I also trained alongside him. 151 00:06:26,678 --> 00:06:29,389 CHAEL: I was the youngest guy in this tournament, 152 00:06:29,514 --> 00:06:31,849 and Matt comes over to warm up with me, and he says, 153 00:06:31,850 --> 00:06:34,394 "You haven't seen the bracket yet, have ya?" 154 00:06:34,519 --> 00:06:36,645 MATT: And I go, "Yeah, dude, you got the toughest guy 155 00:06:36,646 --> 00:06:37,939 "in the weight class." 156 00:06:38,064 --> 00:06:40,608 And he looks at me and goes, "I'm wrestling you, aren't I?" 157 00:06:40,734 --> 00:06:42,277 I go, "Yeah, first round." 158 00:06:42,402 --> 00:06:45,655 [tense music] 159 00:06:45,780 --> 00:06:50,826 CHAEL: I am for sure not going to beat Matt Lindland. 160 00:06:50,827 --> 00:06:53,913 ♪ 161 00:06:54,039 --> 00:06:56,624 CHAEL: In wrestling, if you're ten points ahead, 162 00:06:56,750 --> 00:06:59,210 they'll stop the match. It's called a technical fall. 163 00:06:59,336 --> 00:07:01,211 All Matt needs is one point 164 00:07:01,212 --> 00:07:02,589 and they're going to stop this match. 165 00:07:02,714 --> 00:07:05,592 He elects to pick me up off the mat, 166 00:07:05,717 --> 00:07:08,302 turn me around, and throw me in what's called a belly-to-back. 167 00:07:08,303 --> 00:07:12,931 Now, that is the most supreme move in all of wrestling. 168 00:07:12,932 --> 00:07:15,143 So, he gets one for the lift, five for the throw. 169 00:07:15,268 --> 00:07:16,603 The score is now 15-0. 170 00:07:16,728 --> 00:07:20,106 The maximum score the sport even allows you to be is 10-0. 171 00:07:21,524 --> 00:07:23,276 MATT: And he was just so like, 172 00:07:23,401 --> 00:07:24,944 "You didn't need to do that." 173 00:07:25,070 --> 00:07:26,321 And I was like, 174 00:07:26,446 --> 00:07:29,490 "I didn't need to, but you needed me to do that." 175 00:07:29,491 --> 00:07:31,158 CHAEL: Matt taught me there that day, 176 00:07:31,159 --> 00:07:34,704 you gotta beat whoever is across from you, no matter what. 177 00:07:36,539 --> 00:07:38,041 No friends from nine to five. 178 00:07:39,668 --> 00:07:41,418 NARRATOR: That lesson propels Chael 179 00:07:41,419 --> 00:07:43,838 to a college wrestling scholarship. 180 00:07:43,963 --> 00:07:46,549 He's an All-American at the University of Oregon, 181 00:07:46,675 --> 00:07:49,469 despite never winning a national title. 182 00:07:49,594 --> 00:07:51,804 CHAEL: I knew my clock was running out. 183 00:07:51,805 --> 00:07:53,972 After college, in the sport of wrestling, 184 00:07:53,973 --> 00:07:56,184 when you're out of eligibility, you're done, 185 00:07:56,309 --> 00:07:58,520 whether you're ready to retire or not, 186 00:07:58,645 --> 00:08:01,689 so I really wanted to go into MMA. 187 00:08:01,690 --> 00:08:03,525 NARRATOR: To do that, he needs to acquire 188 00:08:03,650 --> 00:08:05,985 more combat sport skills. 189 00:08:06,111 --> 00:08:08,612 CHAEL: I signed up for a kickboxing class. 190 00:08:08,613 --> 00:08:10,364 And one day the coach said, 191 00:08:10,365 --> 00:08:12,074 "Hey, I'm getting a call from a promoter. 192 00:08:12,075 --> 00:08:13,201 "Who wants to fight?" 193 00:08:13,326 --> 00:08:14,785 And some of us threw our hands up, 194 00:08:14,786 --> 00:08:16,496 and I was one of those guys. 195 00:08:17,539 --> 00:08:20,333 NARRATOR: On May 10th, 1997, 196 00:08:20,458 --> 00:08:22,377 college sophomore Chael Sonnen 197 00:08:22,502 --> 00:08:25,088 steps into the MMA ring for the first time. 198 00:08:26,339 --> 00:08:27,716 CHAEL: My dad didn't come. 199 00:08:27,841 --> 00:08:30,093 He was laser-focused on wrestling and wanted me to be. 200 00:08:31,761 --> 00:08:33,847 And my mom filmed the whole thing. 201 00:08:36,141 --> 00:08:39,018 As soon as I throw a punch and I look for the other guy, 202 00:08:39,019 --> 00:08:41,437 I mean, it doesn't even come close to landing. 203 00:08:41,438 --> 00:08:45,107 So, that's really what prompted me to go for the takedowns. 204 00:08:45,108 --> 00:08:47,192 [indistinct shouting] 205 00:08:47,193 --> 00:08:49,404 CHAEL: It was no different when we got to the ground. 206 00:08:49,529 --> 00:08:51,280 I didn't know what to do there, either. 207 00:08:51,281 --> 00:08:52,906 [indistinct shouting] 208 00:08:52,907 --> 00:08:55,035 NARRATOR: Chael scraps his way to a win 209 00:08:55,160 --> 00:08:56,536 by unanimous decision. 210 00:08:58,621 --> 00:09:00,707 CHAEL: When I got home and my dad saw that video, 211 00:09:00,832 --> 00:09:03,043 like, his reaction was totally different than any... 212 00:09:03,168 --> 00:09:05,086 any wrestling match. 213 00:09:05,211 --> 00:09:08,339 He must have watched that thing 100 times. 214 00:09:08,340 --> 00:09:12,509 He would show everybody this fight. 215 00:09:12,510 --> 00:09:14,261 And I'm getting told, "Good job." 216 00:09:14,262 --> 00:09:16,056 And I liked that. It felt good. 217 00:09:17,515 --> 00:09:19,768 NARRATOR: So does winning in front of a crowd, 218 00:09:19,893 --> 00:09:22,645 something missing at wrestling matches. 219 00:09:22,771 --> 00:09:25,147 - The only ones that know is those there on your team. 220 00:09:25,148 --> 00:09:28,108 Nobody else is gonna see it. The internet wasn't a thing. 221 00:09:28,109 --> 00:09:30,319 You know, nobody's gonna hear about it, so... 222 00:09:30,320 --> 00:09:32,029 MMA was different. 223 00:09:32,030 --> 00:09:33,907 People were watching. People paid attention. 224 00:09:35,700 --> 00:09:37,951 RANDY: I've known Chael since he was in high school. 225 00:09:37,952 --> 00:09:39,953 I was trying to recruit him as a wrestler 226 00:09:39,954 --> 00:09:41,997 to come wrestle for me at Oregon State. 227 00:09:41,998 --> 00:09:44,541 ♪ 228 00:09:44,542 --> 00:09:45,919 I'm Randy Couture. 229 00:09:46,044 --> 00:09:47,128 I'm an MMA champion, 230 00:09:47,253 --> 00:09:49,506 and I'm a longtime friend of Chael Sonnen. 231 00:09:50,799 --> 00:09:52,300 CHAEL: I remember after the fight, 232 00:09:52,425 --> 00:09:53,717 I remember telling Randy about it. 233 00:09:53,718 --> 00:09:55,762 And I told him, "There was 500 people there!" 234 00:09:55,887 --> 00:09:57,680 Like, I never even got into the fight. 235 00:09:57,681 --> 00:09:59,640 I was just telling him how many people there were. 236 00:09:59,641 --> 00:10:01,184 And that was a really cool thing. 237 00:10:02,644 --> 00:10:04,979 NARRATOR: In 2000, Couture and elite wrestlers 238 00:10:04,980 --> 00:10:07,064 Dan Henderson and Matt Lindland 239 00:10:07,065 --> 00:10:09,859 join forces to create Team Quest. 240 00:10:11,403 --> 00:10:12,779 - Team Quest is one of the very first 241 00:10:12,904 --> 00:10:14,823 mixed martial arts training centres, 242 00:10:14,948 --> 00:10:17,992 and we were attracting a lot of the best fighters 243 00:10:17,993 --> 00:10:21,121 from that whole region, the Pacific Northwest. 244 00:10:21,830 --> 00:10:24,124 MATT: Chael showed up and wanted to be a part of it. 245 00:10:24,249 --> 00:10:25,792 - I wanna demonstrate today is a great way 246 00:10:25,917 --> 00:10:27,876 to get to a front headlock position. 247 00:10:27,877 --> 00:10:30,421 - Me, Danny, and Matt all saw this amazing talent. 248 00:10:30,422 --> 00:10:32,256 - Feel that off balance? Snap him down. 249 00:10:32,257 --> 00:10:33,674 I've gotta cover him quick. 250 00:10:33,675 --> 00:10:35,718 - This guy that had the capability of literally 251 00:10:35,719 --> 00:10:38,638 taking the world by the cojones. 252 00:10:38,763 --> 00:10:41,682 NARRATOR: In 2002, Chael goes undefeated, 253 00:10:41,683 --> 00:10:44,102 winning five pro MMA bouts. 254 00:10:46,813 --> 00:10:50,691 - The same year, his father receives devastating news. 255 00:10:50,692 --> 00:10:52,860 MATT: Pat was a busy man. He's in his 50s. 256 00:10:52,861 --> 00:10:55,279 He needed to get his colon checked. 257 00:10:55,280 --> 00:10:56,947 When he finally got it checked, they're like, 258 00:10:56,948 --> 00:10:58,407 "Yeah, you got colon cancer. 259 00:10:58,408 --> 00:11:01,201 "You're gonna pass away soon." 260 00:11:01,202 --> 00:11:03,746 NARRATOR: Just two months after the diagnosis, 261 00:11:03,747 --> 00:11:06,790 56-year-old Patrick Sonnen dies. 262 00:11:06,791 --> 00:11:08,835 Chael is only 25. 263 00:11:09,878 --> 00:11:11,004 CHAEL: Yeah, that's a tough one. 264 00:11:11,129 --> 00:11:13,005 You know, losing a parent's a very tough one. 265 00:11:13,006 --> 00:11:15,466 I know other people go through it at... 266 00:11:15,467 --> 00:11:18,093 at younger ages, but, uh... 267 00:11:18,094 --> 00:11:20,388 you know, yeah, that's a tough one. 268 00:11:20,513 --> 00:11:25,810 ♪ 269 00:11:25,935 --> 00:11:27,562 NARRATOR: Over the next three years, 270 00:11:27,687 --> 00:11:30,564 Chael chases fights across multiple states 271 00:11:30,565 --> 00:11:32,066 and all the way to Japan. 272 00:11:32,067 --> 00:11:34,903 [announcer speaking in Japanese] 273 00:11:35,028 --> 00:11:37,781 NARRATOR: His record grows to 15, 6, and 1. 274 00:11:39,532 --> 00:11:41,868 CHAEL: I fought like 20 men at that point, 275 00:11:41,993 --> 00:11:44,953 finding promoters and begging them to give me an opportunity. 276 00:11:44,954 --> 00:11:46,706 NARRATOR: Then at 28... 277 00:11:48,249 --> 00:11:50,167 ANNOUNCER: Chael Sonnen is an excellent wrestler 278 00:11:50,168 --> 00:11:52,045 known for his speed and tenacity. 279 00:11:52,170 --> 00:11:55,589 NARRATOR: ...a chance spot opens up in the UFC. 280 00:11:55,590 --> 00:11:56,882 CHAEL: It was huge! 281 00:11:56,883 --> 00:11:59,302 I got that fight largely because it was short notice. 282 00:12:00,637 --> 00:12:03,890 NARRATOR: His opponent, Renato "Babalu" Sobral, 283 00:12:04,015 --> 00:12:07,810 a rising star many believe is destined to become a champion. 284 00:12:07,811 --> 00:12:10,062 CHAEL: Nobody wanted to fight Babalu, 285 00:12:10,063 --> 00:12:12,315 and whoever his opponent was pulled out. 286 00:12:13,525 --> 00:12:15,109 And it's completely sold out. 287 00:12:15,110 --> 00:12:16,777 I've never seen a crowd like this, 288 00:12:16,778 --> 00:12:18,404 and they put us on the main card. 289 00:12:18,405 --> 00:12:19,655 [crowd yelling] 290 00:12:19,656 --> 00:12:21,783 ANNOUNCER: Big right hand by Babalu. 291 00:12:21,908 --> 00:12:24,577 NARRATOR: Chael even impresses the voice of the UFC 292 00:12:24,703 --> 00:12:25,912 with his performance. 293 00:12:26,037 --> 00:12:27,121 ANNOUNCER: Shows a good chin. 294 00:12:27,122 --> 00:12:29,540 Whoa, nice reversal by Chael! 295 00:12:29,541 --> 00:12:31,083 - And as the momentum is going my way, 296 00:12:31,084 --> 00:12:33,127 I had a very hard time of accepting that. 297 00:12:33,128 --> 00:12:34,962 ANNOUNCER: Chael showing a lot of heart, 298 00:12:34,963 --> 00:12:36,463 absorbing that kick. 299 00:12:36,464 --> 00:12:38,133 CHAEL: I remember the entire time 300 00:12:38,258 --> 00:12:39,259 waiting for him to win. 301 00:12:39,384 --> 00:12:42,010 Like, I had all these things aside from, 302 00:12:42,011 --> 00:12:43,763 "Maybe old Chael's gonna win this fight tonight." 303 00:12:43,888 --> 00:12:46,390 ANNOUNCER: Looks like he's got a triangle here. 304 00:12:46,391 --> 00:12:48,851 He's caught! He got him! 305 00:12:48,852 --> 00:12:51,896 - I tapped out to Babalu. Babalu won that fight. 306 00:12:52,647 --> 00:12:55,191 NARRATOR: Losing to Babalu proves more than just a setback. 307 00:12:56,568 --> 00:13:00,529 Two fights later, following another defeat at UFC 60, 308 00:13:00,530 --> 00:13:02,282 Chael is released. 309 00:13:02,407 --> 00:13:04,868 - I knew that I had some kind of a block. 310 00:13:06,286 --> 00:13:09,371 I went and got a sports psychologist and said, 311 00:13:09,372 --> 00:13:10,831 "Can you help me?" 312 00:13:10,832 --> 00:13:13,542 One thing that I learned through the process is that 313 00:13:13,543 --> 00:13:15,628 we are who we pretend to be. 314 00:13:15,754 --> 00:13:18,881 And you will never go far enough 315 00:13:18,882 --> 00:13:21,050 if you're not willing to go too far. 316 00:13:21,051 --> 00:13:22,718 Then I went on my run. 317 00:13:22,719 --> 00:13:26,514 ANNOUNCER: Chael... Sonnen! 318 00:13:26,639 --> 00:13:27,848 [crowd cheering] 319 00:13:27,849 --> 00:13:29,141 CHAEL: It really just felt like 320 00:13:29,142 --> 00:13:30,977 winning was the only thing that mattered. 321 00:13:31,102 --> 00:13:32,479 ♪ 322 00:13:37,484 --> 00:13:39,276 NARRATOR: When Chael Sonnen gets submitted 323 00:13:39,277 --> 00:13:41,696 by Jeremy Horn at UFC 60... 324 00:13:42,447 --> 00:13:44,407 ANNOUNCER: From one attempt to the other, it's all over! 325 00:13:44,532 --> 00:13:46,450 NARRATOR: ...the soft-spoken rich kid from Oregon 326 00:13:46,451 --> 00:13:48,370 quietly exits the promotion. 327 00:13:48,495 --> 00:13:51,497 JOHN: When Chael first came into the UFC, 328 00:13:51,498 --> 00:13:54,375 he was dressed in a suit and tie. 329 00:13:54,376 --> 00:13:57,211 He hardly said anything outside of, 330 00:13:57,212 --> 00:13:59,005 "Yes, sir. Thank you, sir." 331 00:13:59,130 --> 00:14:00,382 That was it. 332 00:14:01,966 --> 00:14:04,552 My name's John McCarthy. I'm known as Big John McCarthy, 333 00:14:04,677 --> 00:14:07,763 and fortunately or unfortunately, 334 00:14:07,764 --> 00:14:10,475 one of the two, I've known Chael Sonnen for a long time. 335 00:14:12,227 --> 00:14:13,769 I'd say, "Man, he's a nice guy." 336 00:14:13,770 --> 00:14:15,397 He's surrounded by good people. 337 00:14:15,522 --> 00:14:16,856 He just doesn't stand out. 338 00:14:16,981 --> 00:14:21,569 He doesn't have that flashy style that makes you go, "Wow." 339 00:14:21,695 --> 00:14:23,696 REFEREE: You ready? Let's fight! 340 00:14:23,697 --> 00:14:27,324 NARRATOR: Out of the UFC, but not out of the sport, 341 00:14:27,325 --> 00:14:30,328 Chael wins four straight fights in BodogFIGHT... 342 00:14:31,121 --> 00:14:33,998 ANNOUNCER: And just like that, in an eye blink, it's over! 343 00:14:33,999 --> 00:14:35,290 NARRATOR: ...and wins two of three 344 00:14:35,291 --> 00:14:37,377 in World Extreme Cagefighting. 345 00:14:37,502 --> 00:14:39,420 ♪ 346 00:14:39,421 --> 00:14:40,921 RANDY: That was Chael on fire. 347 00:14:40,922 --> 00:14:43,841 That was Chael doing every single thing he'd trained to do, 348 00:14:43,842 --> 00:14:45,468 and it went his way. 349 00:14:45,593 --> 00:14:47,762 NARRATOR: All the way back to the UFC, 350 00:14:47,887 --> 00:14:50,597 where he wins three of his next four fights. 351 00:14:50,598 --> 00:14:52,434 JOE: Tremendous performance tonight. 352 00:14:52,559 --> 00:14:54,602 I think you opened up a lotta eyes. Congratulations. 353 00:14:54,728 --> 00:14:56,270 Look forward to seeing you again. 354 00:14:56,271 --> 00:14:58,188 Chael Sonnen, ladies and gentlemen! 355 00:14:58,189 --> 00:15:00,232 CHAEL: I wanted to be world champion. 356 00:15:00,233 --> 00:15:01,609 That never changed for me. 357 00:15:01,735 --> 00:15:03,652 [phone rings] 358 00:15:03,653 --> 00:15:05,779 NARRATOR: His chance arrives with a potentially 359 00:15:05,780 --> 00:15:10,368 life-changing offer from the UFC's top decision-maker. 360 00:15:10,493 --> 00:15:13,037 CHAEL: I got a phone call that I did not recognize, 361 00:15:13,038 --> 00:15:14,331 and I answered it. 362 00:15:14,456 --> 00:15:16,416 And the voice says, "Hey, it's Dana." 363 00:15:16,541 --> 00:15:18,834 ♪ 364 00:15:18,835 --> 00:15:22,838 And he says, "You wanna fight Anderson Silva?" 365 00:15:22,839 --> 00:15:25,049 And I said, "Yeah, I'll fight Anderson Silva." 366 00:15:25,050 --> 00:15:27,676 And he said, "Good, 'cause I just went on SportsCenter 367 00:15:27,677 --> 00:15:28,595 "and announced it." 368 00:15:28,720 --> 00:15:30,513 - You look at a guy like Anderson Silva, 369 00:15:30,638 --> 00:15:33,015 his next fight's gonna be against Chael Sonnen. 370 00:15:33,016 --> 00:15:36,518 NARRATOR: Anderson Silva is the UFC's middleweight champion, 371 00:15:36,519 --> 00:15:39,188 widely considered the best fighter in the world 372 00:15:39,189 --> 00:15:40,898 in any weight class. 373 00:15:40,899 --> 00:15:43,400 CHAEL: I was just one of the guys on the roster. 374 00:15:43,401 --> 00:15:44,986 This is the guy. 375 00:15:45,111 --> 00:15:47,405 He was almost this fictional character. 376 00:15:48,448 --> 00:15:49,991 And I had one opportunity. 377 00:15:50,116 --> 00:15:52,034 It's right now. 378 00:15:52,035 --> 00:15:53,370 CREW: Anderson Silva, take one. 379 00:15:53,495 --> 00:15:55,245 [indistinct] Mark. 380 00:15:55,246 --> 00:15:59,459 - I'm in the good moment in my career inside UFC. 381 00:15:59,584 --> 00:16:03,713 I just win a lot of fights and nobody can beat me. 382 00:16:03,838 --> 00:16:06,382 ♪ 383 00:16:06,383 --> 00:16:10,719 I'm Anderson Silva, professional MMA fighter. 384 00:16:10,720 --> 00:16:12,054 It's honour for me. 385 00:16:12,055 --> 00:16:13,431 Loyalty and honour. 386 00:16:15,183 --> 00:16:17,768 For many, many years, Chael Sonnen... 387 00:16:17,769 --> 00:16:19,437 bad part in my life. 388 00:16:21,147 --> 00:16:22,482 RANDY: He called me up, he's like, 389 00:16:22,607 --> 00:16:25,110 "Oh man, I'm so excited they're giving me a shot at the title. 390 00:16:25,235 --> 00:16:26,694 "I'm gonna make the most of this." 391 00:16:26,695 --> 00:16:28,655 And I'm thinking to myself, "Well, of course you are." 392 00:16:28,780 --> 00:16:30,781 We knew what we were in for, for sure. 393 00:16:30,782 --> 00:16:32,909 But, you know, we also were confident 394 00:16:33,034 --> 00:16:35,661 in Chael's ability and what Chael was capable of. 395 00:16:35,662 --> 00:16:37,830 NARRATOR: But what comes as a total surprise 396 00:16:37,831 --> 00:16:40,624 is his new attitude on the media circuit. 397 00:16:40,625 --> 00:16:42,085 RANDY: I heard his first interview, 398 00:16:42,210 --> 00:16:44,211 and I was like, "Who was that?" 399 00:16:44,212 --> 00:16:45,922 CHAEL: Who knows what Anderson's doing. 400 00:16:46,047 --> 00:16:49,425 That guy's no more the top fighter out there 401 00:16:49,426 --> 00:16:51,385 than Bigfoot is roaming the woods. 402 00:16:51,386 --> 00:16:53,137 That is an absolute myth. 403 00:16:53,138 --> 00:16:54,638 - I didn't even think it was Chael. 404 00:16:54,639 --> 00:16:56,724 I was like, "What the hell?" 405 00:16:56,725 --> 00:16:59,893 CHAEL: Anderson Silva is easily the most unpopular fighter 406 00:16:59,894 --> 00:17:00,978 in this company. 407 00:17:00,979 --> 00:17:02,980 - And then, "I'm gonna make the most of this" 408 00:17:02,981 --> 00:17:04,815 really stuck out in my mind. 409 00:17:04,816 --> 00:17:06,859 This is what he was talking about. 410 00:17:06,860 --> 00:17:09,403 - I don't wanna fight Anderson. I wanna beat him down. 411 00:17:09,404 --> 00:17:11,323 I want to destroy Anderson. 412 00:17:11,448 --> 00:17:13,616 NARRATOR: That's not how other UFC fighters 413 00:17:13,742 --> 00:17:17,494 talk about the humble yet lethal Anderson Silva. 414 00:17:17,495 --> 00:17:19,329 - Nobody called him out ever. 415 00:17:19,330 --> 00:17:21,457 - I'm gonna put him on his prissy little ass. 416 00:17:21,458 --> 00:17:23,460 - The first time I told somebody 417 00:17:23,585 --> 00:17:26,045 I was the best in the world, not him... 418 00:17:26,046 --> 00:17:28,505 I remember pausing after I said it, 419 00:17:28,506 --> 00:17:31,259 so that they could interrupt me or they could push back. 420 00:17:31,384 --> 00:17:32,635 And they didn't. 421 00:17:32,761 --> 00:17:34,553 All of a sudden I get another media opportunity, 422 00:17:34,554 --> 00:17:35,847 and I run the same shtick, 423 00:17:35,972 --> 00:17:38,390 and then I get another, and they just start rolling in. 424 00:17:38,391 --> 00:17:39,975 - Well, Anderson's a fraud. 425 00:17:39,976 --> 00:17:42,020 He's a liar, and he's a thief. 426 00:17:42,145 --> 00:17:43,562 - Chael talk a lot of shit. 427 00:17:43,563 --> 00:17:46,857 In my mind, I just think, 428 00:17:46,858 --> 00:17:49,486 "Wow, this man is a terrible person." 429 00:17:49,611 --> 00:17:51,612 CHAEL: You tell Anderson Silva I'm coming over, 430 00:17:51,613 --> 00:17:52,863 I'm kicking his back door in 431 00:17:52,864 --> 00:17:54,823 and I'm patting his little lady on the ass 432 00:17:54,824 --> 00:17:56,993 and I'm telling her to make me a steak, medium rare, 433 00:17:57,118 --> 00:17:58,327 just how I like it. 434 00:17:58,328 --> 00:18:00,287 - When you're talking about... 435 00:18:00,288 --> 00:18:01,247 my family, 436 00:18:01,373 --> 00:18:03,916 this has helped me... 437 00:18:03,917 --> 00:18:07,712 to put more energy to training to come win the fight. 438 00:18:09,005 --> 00:18:11,298 JOHN: You can sit there and say all the bad things 439 00:18:11,299 --> 00:18:12,425 you wanna say about Anderson. 440 00:18:12,550 --> 00:18:14,636 He is your target, he is your opponent, 441 00:18:14,761 --> 00:18:17,888 he gets to punch you in the mouth, okay? 442 00:18:17,889 --> 00:18:20,182 The family doesn't. 443 00:18:20,183 --> 00:18:21,309 Stay away from that. 444 00:18:21,434 --> 00:18:24,520 - Smack talk took a whole new level with Chael 445 00:18:24,521 --> 00:18:26,647 going into that title fight with Anderson Silva. 446 00:18:26,648 --> 00:18:29,900 And there were a few things he said 447 00:18:29,901 --> 00:18:32,569 that I was genuinely concerned for his safety. 448 00:18:32,570 --> 00:18:34,447 - This guy's not from a bowing culture. 449 00:18:34,572 --> 00:18:36,533 You bow in Brazil, they'll hit you over the head 450 00:18:36,658 --> 00:18:37,991 and take your wallet outta your pocket. 451 00:18:37,992 --> 00:18:41,246 - You don't poke another person's culture. 452 00:18:41,371 --> 00:18:43,247 I mean, he crossed a couple lines, 453 00:18:43,248 --> 00:18:45,124 certainly, by my standards. 454 00:18:45,125 --> 00:18:47,502 - The one thing that I realized... 455 00:18:48,253 --> 00:18:50,922 you gotta have a good guy and you gotta have a bad guy. 456 00:18:51,047 --> 00:18:53,674 - I'm here purely to win the world championship, period. 457 00:18:53,675 --> 00:18:55,844 Getting to beat up Anderson is just a bonus. 458 00:18:55,969 --> 00:18:58,637 - You evoke an emotion from the audience, 459 00:18:58,638 --> 00:19:00,515 or you don't have a value. 460 00:19:00,640 --> 00:19:03,851 And when I realized everybody here wants to be liked, 461 00:19:03,852 --> 00:19:06,145 when I jumped in the other end of the pool, 462 00:19:06,146 --> 00:19:08,189 I was the only one there. 463 00:19:08,315 --> 00:19:09,898 And I got a real power from that. 464 00:19:09,899 --> 00:19:12,068 ANNOUNCER: The wait is finally over! 465 00:19:12,193 --> 00:19:13,361 Tonight, Chael Sonnen 466 00:19:13,486 --> 00:19:15,280 is gonna bring the fight to Anderson Silva! 467 00:19:15,405 --> 00:19:17,365 So get ready for what Chael says 468 00:19:17,490 --> 00:19:19,743 is a good old-fashioned fistfight. 469 00:19:20,744 --> 00:19:22,786 NARRATOR: On August 7th, 2010, 470 00:19:22,787 --> 00:19:26,206 Chael walks into the biggest fight of his life... 471 00:19:26,207 --> 00:19:28,209 as the Bad Guy. 472 00:19:28,335 --> 00:19:30,753 - The fight ends up being something 473 00:19:30,754 --> 00:19:33,672 that it wasn't supposed to be. 474 00:19:33,673 --> 00:19:35,883 And we walk out there to the ring, 475 00:19:35,884 --> 00:19:40,304 and the whole crowd is either cheering for me strongly, 476 00:19:40,305 --> 00:19:41,889 or they're strongly booing me. 477 00:19:41,890 --> 00:19:45,060 But I mean like a hatred level of booing. 478 00:19:47,187 --> 00:19:48,438 Right before the fight... 479 00:19:48,563 --> 00:19:50,439 I looked at Anderson. 480 00:19:50,440 --> 00:19:51,566 And Anderson goes... 481 00:19:53,276 --> 00:19:55,611 And I never once talked trash to get in somebody's head. 482 00:19:55,612 --> 00:19:56,738 That never even crossed my mind. 483 00:19:56,863 --> 00:19:58,739 And it was in that moment that I thought, 484 00:19:58,740 --> 00:20:00,741 "Oh no, no, no, no, head games are real. 485 00:20:00,742 --> 00:20:01,950 "And I'm in this guy's head." 486 00:20:01,951 --> 00:20:03,744 That was the moment where I thought, 487 00:20:03,745 --> 00:20:05,497 "Hey, I might win this fight." 488 00:20:06,373 --> 00:20:07,665 [crowd cheering] 489 00:20:07,791 --> 00:20:09,876 ANNOUNCER: UFC Middleweight Championship... 490 00:20:10,001 --> 00:20:12,252 is on the line! 491 00:20:12,253 --> 00:20:13,463 REFEREE: Ready? Let's fight! 492 00:20:14,631 --> 00:20:16,758 MATT: Chael had wrestling skills. 493 00:20:18,468 --> 00:20:20,387 His game plan was, put him on his back, 494 00:20:20,512 --> 00:20:21,388 beat him up. 495 00:20:21,513 --> 00:20:22,680 [crowd cheering] 496 00:20:22,681 --> 00:20:24,099 ANNOUNCER: Oh, he rocked him! 497 00:20:24,224 --> 00:20:25,766 Big shot by Chael Sonnen! 498 00:20:25,767 --> 00:20:27,310 NARRATOR: From the opening bell, 499 00:20:27,435 --> 00:20:29,354 Chael sets the tempo. 500 00:20:29,479 --> 00:20:31,855 - I remember having an actual fear 501 00:20:31,856 --> 00:20:33,607 of being on my feet with him. 502 00:20:33,608 --> 00:20:35,193 Like, I remember it being in my gut, 503 00:20:35,318 --> 00:20:36,443 "You gotta get him down." 504 00:20:36,444 --> 00:20:37,988 - [crowd cheering] - ANNOUNCER: Big shot. 505 00:20:38,113 --> 00:20:40,531 MATT: He didn't try to stand and trade with him. 506 00:20:40,532 --> 00:20:42,450 He did what he was really good at. 507 00:20:42,575 --> 00:20:44,618 [buzzer] 508 00:20:44,619 --> 00:20:46,830 ANNOUNCER: Round one to Chael Sonnen! 509 00:20:46,955 --> 00:20:49,039 RANDY: The dominance that he exhibited 510 00:20:49,040 --> 00:20:52,626 against a fighter who had been dominating the weight class 511 00:20:52,627 --> 00:20:54,879 for a couple of years... was amazing. 512 00:20:57,215 --> 00:20:58,508 NARRATOR: And Chael continues it 513 00:20:58,633 --> 00:21:00,635 all the way into the fifth round. 514 00:21:01,636 --> 00:21:03,930 - Five rounds, punching hard in my head, 515 00:21:04,055 --> 00:21:06,182 punching hard in my body, it's insane. 516 00:21:07,851 --> 00:21:10,645 I'm using my whole power to punch Chael. 517 00:21:12,522 --> 00:21:15,900 And I feel Chael come down a little bit. 518 00:21:16,026 --> 00:21:19,821 That's when I put up my leg and choke Chael. 519 00:21:19,946 --> 00:21:20,864 ANNOUNCER: Triangle! Triangle! 520 00:21:20,989 --> 00:21:22,490 ANNOUNCER 2: Watch out! This is trouble! 521 00:21:22,615 --> 00:21:23,908 He's tapping! 522 00:21:24,868 --> 00:21:28,120 RANDY: We were so close. It was right there. 523 00:21:28,121 --> 00:21:30,789 Triangle gets thrown on and he's gotta tap. 524 00:21:30,790 --> 00:21:32,750 ANNOUNCER: Anderson Silva 525 00:21:32,751 --> 00:21:36,755 remains the UFC Middleweight Champion! 526 00:21:37,922 --> 00:21:39,924 - What the hell just happened? 527 00:21:40,592 --> 00:21:43,636 MATT: Chael whooped his ass for five rounds, 528 00:21:43,762 --> 00:21:45,846 and found a way to lose? 529 00:21:45,847 --> 00:21:48,348 That's unbelievable, isn't it? 530 00:21:48,349 --> 00:21:49,351 It's unbelievable. 531 00:21:50,977 --> 00:21:53,520 CHAEL: It was devastating. 532 00:21:53,521 --> 00:21:54,855 And nobody knew how to act. 533 00:21:54,856 --> 00:21:56,857 I mean, it was like a death in the family. 534 00:21:56,858 --> 00:21:58,692 And finally somebody put their arm on me, 535 00:21:58,693 --> 00:22:00,236 and I just started bawling. 536 00:22:02,280 --> 00:22:04,407 MATT: I think he always wanted to prove something 537 00:22:04,532 --> 00:22:06,493 to his dad, you know? 538 00:22:06,618 --> 00:22:07,911 Become a world champ. 539 00:22:09,120 --> 00:22:11,914 NARRATOR: In fact, Chael promises that very thing 540 00:22:11,915 --> 00:22:14,958 eight years earlier... as his father lies dying. 541 00:22:14,959 --> 00:22:16,711 CHAEL: When we're in the hospital, 542 00:22:16,836 --> 00:22:18,962 he was in a state where he could no longer communicate, 543 00:22:18,963 --> 00:22:22,049 but we knew that he could hear us. 544 00:22:22,050 --> 00:22:24,594 And I told him, "I'm gonna be the world champion." 545 00:22:26,137 --> 00:22:29,056 When I said this to my dad, he made a sound... 546 00:22:29,057 --> 00:22:31,059 and so then I felt like we had a deal. 547 00:22:31,184 --> 00:22:33,978 If you give your word, you have to do it. 548 00:22:34,104 --> 00:22:37,064 No matter what it is, you must follow through on it. 549 00:22:37,065 --> 00:22:38,982 I just remember in that moment, just letting him know, 550 00:22:38,983 --> 00:22:40,484 "Here's what you're gonna miss. 551 00:22:40,485 --> 00:22:42,278 "But here's what I'm gonna go do." 552 00:22:42,404 --> 00:22:45,781 ♪ 553 00:22:45,782 --> 00:22:47,241 CHAEL: At the end of the day, 554 00:22:47,242 --> 00:22:49,035 you either get your hand raised or you don't. 555 00:22:49,160 --> 00:22:50,160 And I didn't. 556 00:22:50,161 --> 00:22:51,829 And that's it, and I'll live with it. 557 00:22:51,830 --> 00:22:53,039 But I'm devastated. 558 00:22:53,164 --> 00:22:55,082 CHAEL: All my thoughts that I had about Anderson, 559 00:22:55,083 --> 00:22:57,502 I hated him even more, and hate is such a strong word, 560 00:22:57,627 --> 00:22:58,962 but I hated him even more. 561 00:22:59,087 --> 00:23:02,215 I really believed that he was evil, I was good, 562 00:23:02,340 --> 00:23:03,591 and I must conquer him. 563 00:23:03,717 --> 00:23:05,677 [dramatic music] 564 00:23:09,472 --> 00:23:11,432 deserved to be here tonight. l Sonnen 565 00:23:11,433 --> 00:23:13,308 He put himself on the map last week 566 00:23:13,309 --> 00:23:15,102 saying some crazy shit. 567 00:23:15,103 --> 00:23:17,813 And he put himself on the map tonight 568 00:23:17,814 --> 00:23:19,606 doing some crazy shit. 569 00:23:19,607 --> 00:23:22,151 NARRATOR: In the four and a half rounds before he taps out 570 00:23:22,152 --> 00:23:23,445 against Anderson Silva, 571 00:23:23,570 --> 00:23:27,240 Chael lands over 300 strikes, compared to 64 from Anderson. 572 00:23:29,534 --> 00:23:33,829 It's arguably the greatest star-making loss in UFC history. 573 00:23:33,830 --> 00:23:38,917 ♪ 574 00:23:38,918 --> 00:23:41,921 NARRATOR: Then, a story breaks that casts a shadow 575 00:23:42,047 --> 00:23:44,049 on what Chael has accomplished. 576 00:23:44,716 --> 00:23:47,635 STEVEN: I was at my desk, watching MMA headlines 577 00:23:47,761 --> 00:23:51,096 when suddenly, it came across the wire and, you know, 578 00:23:51,097 --> 00:23:53,348 blew my mind like everybody else. 579 00:23:53,349 --> 00:23:55,517 He tests positive for drugs. 580 00:23:55,518 --> 00:23:57,811 Exogenous testosterone. You were dopin'. 581 00:23:57,812 --> 00:23:59,021 You were dopin' for this fight. 582 00:23:59,022 --> 00:24:02,816 Chael gets done putting on the performance of his lifetime, 583 00:24:02,817 --> 00:24:04,778 so now, wipe all that out. 584 00:24:04,903 --> 00:24:07,280 NEWS: After reports surfaced that UFC middleweight 585 00:24:07,405 --> 00:24:09,031 title challenger Chael Sonnen had failed 586 00:24:09,032 --> 00:24:10,616 his UFC 117 drug test, 587 00:24:10,617 --> 00:24:13,160 Sonnen's manager Mike Roberts responded, 588 00:24:13,161 --> 00:24:15,371 "They will appeal the dispute." 589 00:24:15,372 --> 00:24:17,164 - Is that why he did so well? 590 00:24:17,165 --> 00:24:19,833 Because he was juiced to the gills? 591 00:24:19,834 --> 00:24:22,295 You know... just heartbreaking. 592 00:24:22,420 --> 00:24:24,964 NARRATOR: In the aftermath of the alleged doping, 593 00:24:25,090 --> 00:24:27,633 Chael parts ways with his longtime coach, 594 00:24:27,634 --> 00:24:28,968 Matt Lindland. 595 00:24:29,094 --> 00:24:30,928 - I had no idea. 596 00:24:30,929 --> 00:24:33,722 I think I just realized at that point, 597 00:24:33,723 --> 00:24:35,600 him and I had different objectives. 598 00:24:37,102 --> 00:24:38,686 I thought maybe he was getting tougher, 599 00:24:38,812 --> 00:24:41,522 but maybe he was just-- it was just dopin'. 600 00:24:41,523 --> 00:24:43,483 I expected more out of him. 601 00:24:43,608 --> 00:24:46,695 STEVEN: I think Chael was probably heartbroken... 602 00:24:46,820 --> 00:24:48,570 for a good two weeks. 603 00:24:48,571 --> 00:24:51,366 And then figured out how to... 604 00:24:51,491 --> 00:24:52,659 change the narrative. 605 00:24:54,828 --> 00:24:56,871 NARRATOR: Chael goes public with his claim 606 00:24:56,997 --> 00:24:59,540 that he simply followed the rules. 607 00:24:59,541 --> 00:25:01,835 CHAEL: In the state of California where this fight was, 608 00:25:01,960 --> 00:25:03,712 the rule was extremely clear: 609 00:25:03,837 --> 00:25:06,881 you must disclose to the commission what you're taking. 610 00:25:07,007 --> 00:25:09,592 And that opportunity comes right before the weigh-in. 611 00:25:09,718 --> 00:25:11,803 And at that point, if you disclosed it... 612 00:25:13,138 --> 00:25:14,305 you got a pass. 613 00:25:15,348 --> 00:25:16,683 I wrote down testosterone. 614 00:25:18,351 --> 00:25:20,520 The executive director signed that form. 615 00:25:20,645 --> 00:25:22,897 The doctor of the commission then came and asked me, 616 00:25:23,023 --> 00:25:24,315 "What is this all about?" 617 00:25:24,316 --> 00:25:25,400 And I just answered his question, 618 00:25:25,525 --> 00:25:27,444 I said, "I've been taking testosterone." 619 00:25:28,820 --> 00:25:32,364 NARRATOR: Chael says he's using testosterone replacement therapy 620 00:25:32,365 --> 00:25:34,534 to treat low T. 621 00:25:34,659 --> 00:25:36,411 - If you're gonna associate a guy with TRT, 622 00:25:36,536 --> 00:25:39,079 make sure you also associate the fact that it's legal 623 00:25:39,080 --> 00:25:40,332 and it's not banned. 624 00:25:41,333 --> 00:25:43,209 NARRATOR: One journalist decides to investigate 625 00:25:43,335 --> 00:25:46,128 the legitimacy of Chael's claim. 626 00:25:46,129 --> 00:25:49,173 - The party that Chael thought he had in his pocket says, 627 00:25:49,174 --> 00:25:51,092 "Hey, I never gave him permission. 628 00:25:51,217 --> 00:25:52,427 "That's a total lie." 629 00:25:52,552 --> 00:25:56,597 So, it basically exposes him and cues him up 630 00:25:56,598 --> 00:25:58,892 for this next case that Chael has to deal with, 631 00:25:59,017 --> 00:26:00,226 over being dishonest, 632 00:26:00,352 --> 00:26:02,562 over being a discredit to the sport. 633 00:26:02,687 --> 00:26:05,397 NARRATOR: While the UFC debates what to do with Chael, 634 00:26:05,398 --> 00:26:07,608 another three-letter organization 635 00:26:07,609 --> 00:26:09,818 is wrapping up their investigation 636 00:26:09,819 --> 00:26:12,821 into Chael's side hustle: real estate. 637 00:26:12,822 --> 00:26:15,282 CHAEL: I went into real estate largely because 638 00:26:15,283 --> 00:26:17,118 there's only so many jobs that you could do 639 00:26:17,243 --> 00:26:20,329 and carry an MMA career. 640 00:26:20,330 --> 00:26:21,581 It's a very normal day. 641 00:26:21,706 --> 00:26:23,832 I'm in my little cubicle, filling out my little 642 00:26:23,833 --> 00:26:25,584 real estate paperwork. 643 00:26:25,585 --> 00:26:27,836 NARRATOR: Including a form telling a mortgage company 644 00:26:27,837 --> 00:26:30,339 some of the money they are lending to a purchaser 645 00:26:30,340 --> 00:26:33,093 is to be used by Chael's mom's plumbing company 646 00:26:33,218 --> 00:26:35,469 to fix up the house after the purchase. 647 00:26:35,470 --> 00:26:39,390 Instead, most of the money is pocketed by the buyer, 648 00:26:39,391 --> 00:26:40,974 which is illegal. 649 00:26:40,975 --> 00:26:42,684 CHAEL: I didn't know you weren't supposed to. 650 00:26:42,685 --> 00:26:44,269 I'm brand new in real estate. 651 00:26:44,270 --> 00:26:47,398 And in 44 minutes, filling out a form... 652 00:26:47,399 --> 00:26:51,277 I commit 11 imprisonable felonies. 653 00:26:52,487 --> 00:26:54,446 They tell me, "Hey, we're looking into this thing." 654 00:26:54,447 --> 00:26:57,534 And I answered every question that they had. 655 00:26:58,785 --> 00:27:01,870 At the end of this questioning is where they inform me 656 00:27:01,871 --> 00:27:05,709 that I have confessed to 11 felonies. 657 00:27:08,670 --> 00:27:09,878 You're looking at it and go, 658 00:27:09,879 --> 00:27:11,631 "Oh yeah, I did all of those things." 659 00:27:11,756 --> 00:27:13,675 NARRATOR: He pleads guilty to money laundering 660 00:27:13,800 --> 00:27:17,136 and avoids prison by giving up his real estate licence, 661 00:27:17,137 --> 00:27:19,346 paying a $10,000 fine, 662 00:27:19,347 --> 00:27:21,765 and accepting two years' probation. 663 00:27:21,766 --> 00:27:25,269 He fares no better in the testosterone case. 664 00:27:25,270 --> 00:27:26,729 CHAEL: There's a rule in politics: 665 00:27:26,730 --> 00:27:28,857 if you're explaining, you're losing. 666 00:27:28,982 --> 00:27:30,650 And I found that out. 667 00:27:31,651 --> 00:27:33,528 I quickly learned this whole explanation 668 00:27:33,653 --> 00:27:35,697 of testosterone isn't gonna work. 669 00:27:35,822 --> 00:27:40,034 As soon as I started, I mean, it backfired so much... 670 00:27:40,035 --> 00:27:41,745 I've just gotta steer into it. 671 00:27:43,121 --> 00:27:46,207 NARRATOR: For failing his drug test after the Silva fight, 672 00:27:46,333 --> 00:27:49,626 Chael pays a $2,500 fine 673 00:27:49,627 --> 00:27:51,921 and receives a year-long suspension. 674 00:27:53,590 --> 00:27:55,216 - As tough a situation as that is, 675 00:27:55,342 --> 00:27:58,635 he did that with grace and integrity. 676 00:27:58,636 --> 00:28:01,305 And that's a weird thing to say. 677 00:28:01,306 --> 00:28:03,224 You know, he cheated with integrity. 678 00:28:03,349 --> 00:28:05,727 [laughs] 679 00:28:05,852 --> 00:28:08,228 CHAEL: And I'm thinking, "I'm gonna make a comeback. 680 00:28:08,229 --> 00:28:11,107 "And when I do, it's gonna be one hell of a comeback." 681 00:28:12,734 --> 00:28:14,402 I'm fighting Anderson Silva. 682 00:28:14,527 --> 00:28:16,446 There was gonna be no way to keep us apart. 683 00:28:16,571 --> 00:28:18,865 [dramatic music] 684 00:28:22,077 --> 00:28:25,245 ANNOUNCER 2: It's all over! 685 00:28:25,246 --> 00:28:26,164 Chael Sonnen! 686 00:28:27,415 --> 00:28:29,666 NARRATOR: After a year of UFC exile... 687 00:28:29,667 --> 00:28:31,752 ANNOUNCER: A triumphant return! 688 00:28:31,753 --> 00:28:32,879 NARRATOR: ...Chael Sonnen picks up 689 00:28:33,004 --> 00:28:35,255 right where he left off, 690 00:28:35,256 --> 00:28:38,259 chirping his nemesis, Anderson Silva. 691 00:28:38,385 --> 00:28:39,844 - Anderson does not want this fight. 692 00:28:39,969 --> 00:28:43,681 CHAEL: Anderson Silva, you absolutely suck! 693 00:28:43,682 --> 00:28:46,266 CHAEL: Dana White was openly trying to make this fight, 694 00:28:46,267 --> 00:28:47,977 and Anderson Silva was openly saying, 695 00:28:48,103 --> 00:28:49,687 "Give me somebody else." 696 00:28:49,688 --> 00:28:52,481 CHAEL: The biggest rematch in the history of the business! 697 00:28:52,482 --> 00:28:55,275 I'm calling you out, Silva, but we're upping the stakes. 698 00:28:55,276 --> 00:28:56,860 SCOTT: He was willing to go forward 699 00:28:56,861 --> 00:28:59,488 and do everything that he felt he needed to do 700 00:28:59,489 --> 00:29:01,533 to make that opportunity happen. 701 00:29:02,701 --> 00:29:06,203 I am Scott McQuary. I am an MMA coach with the UFC. 702 00:29:06,204 --> 00:29:10,000 I was the coach for Chael Sonnen for four years. 703 00:29:10,125 --> 00:29:13,920 I took over after that first Anderson Silva fight. 704 00:29:14,045 --> 00:29:16,046 NARRATOR: To force a rematch with Silva, 705 00:29:16,047 --> 00:29:19,092 Chael adopts confession as strategy. 706 00:29:19,217 --> 00:29:21,761 - I had to come up with a good story that people would accept. 707 00:29:21,886 --> 00:29:25,389 - I told them to feast their eyes and fantasize! 708 00:29:25,390 --> 00:29:26,474 I offer no apology. 709 00:29:26,599 --> 00:29:28,476 That's testosterone, ladies and gentlemen! 710 00:29:28,601 --> 00:29:31,271 CHAEL: I noticed the guiltier that I made myself, 711 00:29:31,396 --> 00:29:35,858 everybody just put their swords down and let Chael walk through. 712 00:29:35,859 --> 00:29:38,152 And I... I ran with that ever since. 713 00:29:38,153 --> 00:29:39,487 - Obviously you're very familiar with it. 714 00:29:39,612 --> 00:29:41,905 You tested with as much testosterone as an elephant 715 00:29:41,906 --> 00:29:43,240 when you fought Anderson Silva. 716 00:29:43,241 --> 00:29:45,868 - I said, "You must have caught me on a low day." 717 00:29:45,869 --> 00:29:48,747 - I was a bank robber, I was running this whole organization, 718 00:29:48,872 --> 00:29:50,040 and I was running the underworld, 719 00:29:50,165 --> 00:29:51,957 and I was the boss of the whole thing. 720 00:29:51,958 --> 00:29:53,083 - I'm not a martial artist, 721 00:29:53,084 --> 00:29:54,877 I am a gangster from West Linn, Oregon, 722 00:29:54,878 --> 00:29:58,464 and I win fights with these, and I make no goddamn apology! 723 00:29:58,465 --> 00:30:01,550 CHAEL: And now, all the rotten things that I had done 724 00:30:01,551 --> 00:30:04,136 are all the reasons that the community thinks 725 00:30:04,137 --> 00:30:05,847 Anderson should want to fight me. 726 00:30:05,972 --> 00:30:07,348 And it worked. 727 00:30:08,892 --> 00:30:10,642 NARRATOR: With the rematch scheduled, 728 00:30:10,643 --> 00:30:13,771 Chael goes back to what almost worked the first time: 729 00:30:13,772 --> 00:30:16,191 getting inside Silva's head. 730 00:30:16,316 --> 00:30:18,609 CHAEL: I remember going outside, I sit around with my friends, 731 00:30:18,610 --> 00:30:21,529 we talk about the latest technology in medicine and... 732 00:30:21,654 --> 00:30:23,906 Anderson and the Brazilian kids are sitting outside 733 00:30:23,907 --> 00:30:25,033 playing in the mud. 734 00:30:25,158 --> 00:30:27,494 - Chael was launching very strategic mortars 735 00:30:27,619 --> 00:30:30,412 into that other camp, waiting till they explode 736 00:30:30,413 --> 00:30:32,540 to see what kind of reaction he got. 737 00:30:32,665 --> 00:30:35,125 - Anderson, Anderson, little Miss Anderson! 738 00:30:35,126 --> 00:30:37,961 I'd call you a girl, but you're not, you're a mannequin. 739 00:30:37,962 --> 00:30:39,922 - He wants to get in a fight with him, 740 00:30:39,923 --> 00:30:42,133 because if Anderson's mad, it's actually better 741 00:30:42,258 --> 00:30:44,802 because that'll make him fight kinda stupid. 742 00:30:44,803 --> 00:30:47,638 - Anderson Silva versus Chael Sonnen, 743 00:30:47,639 --> 00:30:50,265 the Fake Guy versus the Bad Guy! 744 00:30:50,266 --> 00:30:52,601 - They definitely got Anderson riled up. 745 00:30:52,602 --> 00:30:53,728 NARRATOR: Or did they? 746 00:30:53,853 --> 00:30:57,482 On a UFC pre-fight media call, Silva sounds provoked. 747 00:30:58,483 --> 00:31:00,609 But is he now playing Chael's game? 748 00:31:00,610 --> 00:31:02,069 ANDERSON: [translated] I'm gonna beat his ass 749 00:31:02,070 --> 00:31:03,905 like he's never been beat before. 750 00:31:04,030 --> 00:31:06,990 I'm gonna make sure that every one of his teeth are broken, 751 00:31:06,991 --> 00:31:08,743 his arms are broke, his legs are broke. 752 00:31:08,868 --> 00:31:10,078 It's on now. 753 00:31:11,246 --> 00:31:12,747 - When I say that, I just... 754 00:31:14,290 --> 00:31:16,834 DANA: I've promoted every Anderson Silva fight 755 00:31:16,835 --> 00:31:18,335 since he's been in the UFC, 756 00:31:18,336 --> 00:31:21,171 and I've never heard him talk even remotely close like this. 757 00:31:21,172 --> 00:31:24,133 - I know Chael in the first fight talked a lot. 758 00:31:24,134 --> 00:31:26,552 And now I understand the game. 759 00:31:26,553 --> 00:31:29,514 Chael play the game, I go play the same game. 760 00:31:29,639 --> 00:31:30,640 Done. 761 00:31:32,142 --> 00:31:33,476 NARRATOR: Chael's new trainer 762 00:31:33,601 --> 00:31:36,521 worries he's spending more time on the mic than in the gym. 763 00:31:38,106 --> 00:31:40,942 SCOTT: My level of responsibility was to make sure 764 00:31:41,067 --> 00:31:44,570 that he stayed on task and was prepared for the fight. 765 00:31:44,571 --> 00:31:48,115 I felt that Chael should've been training even more so 766 00:31:48,116 --> 00:31:49,867 for that fight, and doing less promoting. 767 00:31:49,868 --> 00:31:52,036 That was just my personal opinion. 768 00:31:52,037 --> 00:31:53,621 [crowd chanting] Silva! Silva! Silva! 769 00:31:55,040 --> 00:31:57,333 - Are you ready, sir? You ready? Fight! 770 00:31:57,334 --> 00:32:00,544 ANNOUNCER: Once again, we are underway! 771 00:32:00,545 --> 00:32:02,296 Takedown by Sonnen 772 00:32:02,297 --> 00:32:04,924 five seconds into this fight. 773 00:32:05,050 --> 00:32:07,427 - I got my hands on him, I got him down right away. 774 00:32:07,552 --> 00:32:11,014 [crowd chanting] 775 00:32:11,139 --> 00:32:12,390 - And the round ended. 776 00:32:12,515 --> 00:32:13,390 [buzzer] 777 00:32:13,391 --> 00:32:15,101 ANNOUNCER: Round one to Sonnen again. 778 00:32:15,226 --> 00:32:16,728 [crowd cheering] 779 00:32:18,229 --> 00:32:21,398 ANDERSON: The second round, I just look to my coach, I say, 780 00:32:21,399 --> 00:32:23,609 "Now I go finish the fight." 781 00:32:23,610 --> 00:32:26,153 ANNOUNCER: That takedown came six seconds into the fight. 782 00:32:26,154 --> 00:32:28,322 [crowd cheering] 783 00:32:28,323 --> 00:32:31,117 ANNOUNCER: Again, Sonnen pushes forward. 784 00:32:31,242 --> 00:32:33,452 - All of a sudden, he's more difficult to take down. 785 00:32:33,453 --> 00:32:34,996 ANNOUNCER: Nothing really damaging. 786 00:32:35,121 --> 00:32:36,497 Drops down... 787 00:32:36,498 --> 00:32:38,917 CHAEL: So I get my hands on him on the fence, 788 00:32:39,042 --> 00:32:42,336 and he did a thing with his legs. 789 00:32:42,337 --> 00:32:44,214 I can't get my hands together. 790 00:32:44,339 --> 00:32:46,840 There was this weird panic that set in. 791 00:32:46,841 --> 00:32:48,258 [crowd cheering] 792 00:32:48,259 --> 00:32:50,970 ANNOUNCER: Wow, good takedown defence by Silva. 793 00:32:51,096 --> 00:32:53,430 And that could be an early turning point. 794 00:32:53,431 --> 00:32:55,933 - He tried the spinning backfist. 795 00:32:55,934 --> 00:32:58,769 He fell. Anderson capitalized on it. 796 00:32:58,770 --> 00:33:00,647 ANNOUNCER: That's an early turning point in this fight. 797 00:33:00,772 --> 00:33:02,564 That's a knee! 798 00:33:02,565 --> 00:33:04,693 CHAEL: When you have that moment when a guy's swarming you, 799 00:33:04,818 --> 00:33:08,612 and you cover, that's a sign to the referee, 800 00:33:08,613 --> 00:33:11,740 your tag team partner, to step in. 801 00:33:11,741 --> 00:33:13,283 ANNOUNCER: Chael's in trouble! 802 00:33:13,284 --> 00:33:15,286 ANNOUNCER 2: It is all over! 803 00:33:15,412 --> 00:33:20,375 Anderson Silva remains the UFC middleweight champion! 804 00:33:21,292 --> 00:33:23,044 CHAEL: I mean, it was the right call. 805 00:33:23,169 --> 00:33:25,588 It was a massive letdown from a mental standpoint. 806 00:33:27,382 --> 00:33:28,717 - Chael could have been a world champ. 807 00:33:28,842 --> 00:33:32,137 He could've been the best athlete in the UFC. 808 00:33:34,222 --> 00:33:35,974 SCOTT: I got to train with this guy 809 00:33:36,099 --> 00:33:38,143 six, seven days a week for years. 810 00:33:38,268 --> 00:33:40,353 So, I saw what his potential was. 811 00:33:40,478 --> 00:33:42,063 ♪ 812 00:33:42,188 --> 00:33:44,815 RANDY: I don't know what would cause him 813 00:33:44,816 --> 00:33:47,067 to come undone in those moments. 814 00:33:47,068 --> 00:33:49,570 It certainly wasn't physical. 815 00:33:49,571 --> 00:33:51,780 He has all the natural ability, all the work ethic. 816 00:33:51,781 --> 00:33:53,324 Everything that he needs is... 817 00:33:53,325 --> 00:33:55,910 How is this guy not a world champion? 818 00:33:56,036 --> 00:33:57,328 - And... and... 819 00:33:57,454 --> 00:33:59,789 I think the answer to that question is right up here 820 00:33:59,914 --> 00:34:00,832 between Chael's ears. 821 00:34:03,585 --> 00:34:07,464 CLAUDIA: As a kid, he always doubted himself. 822 00:34:09,674 --> 00:34:13,428 He had a father who told him he could go farther. 823 00:34:13,553 --> 00:34:17,766 And I would see a little bit of resentment in that. 824 00:34:17,891 --> 00:34:21,728 I never could quite understand why he felt the need 825 00:34:21,853 --> 00:34:23,520 to maybe punish Chael. 826 00:34:23,521 --> 00:34:26,191 But I think from the way my husband was raised, 827 00:34:26,316 --> 00:34:28,943 I could understand why he did this, 828 00:34:29,069 --> 00:34:32,196 because he would be a little upset 829 00:34:32,197 --> 00:34:35,616 that Chael didn't live up to his potential. 830 00:34:35,617 --> 00:34:37,786 CHAEL: I think my dad almost had a resentment 831 00:34:37,911 --> 00:34:40,287 of how easy my life was, because his was not. 832 00:34:40,288 --> 00:34:42,040 My dad's father was a drunk. 833 00:34:42,165 --> 00:34:43,458 My father was a multi-millionaire. 834 00:34:43,583 --> 00:34:45,377 What am I supposed to do? 835 00:34:45,502 --> 00:34:48,003 And I found out over a short period of time 836 00:34:48,004 --> 00:34:49,671 that no, you could win, 837 00:34:49,672 --> 00:34:51,591 and you were still gonna get the wrath. 838 00:34:51,716 --> 00:34:54,385 It was, "Here's what you could have done better." 839 00:34:54,386 --> 00:34:56,720 It was a hard bar at times, I must tell you. 840 00:34:56,721 --> 00:35:00,724 It felt like there was really no way to win. 841 00:35:00,725 --> 00:35:03,685 MATT: Maybe the bad guy is the guy that is mentally tough 842 00:35:03,686 --> 00:35:05,896 that can handle any kind of adversity, 843 00:35:05,897 --> 00:35:08,732 can go through struggle, come out the other side 844 00:35:08,733 --> 00:35:10,150 harder, stronger. 845 00:35:10,151 --> 00:35:11,735 The hero journey. 846 00:35:11,736 --> 00:35:13,529 Maybe that's the guy he wanted to be. 847 00:35:13,530 --> 00:35:15,823 Somebody that he couldn't be. 848 00:35:15,824 --> 00:35:17,241 That isn't him. 849 00:35:17,242 --> 00:35:18,742 He's a sweet kid. 850 00:35:18,743 --> 00:35:21,496 I see the same guy that I met when... 851 00:35:21,621 --> 00:35:23,498 when he was 16 years old. 852 00:35:25,041 --> 00:35:26,792 NARRATOR: Chael's losses to Silva 853 00:35:26,793 --> 00:35:30,421 put his promise to his dad even further out of reach. 854 00:35:30,422 --> 00:35:32,507 MATT: Was he ever gonna be at that same level 855 00:35:32,632 --> 00:35:36,343 when he fought Anderson? It was on the downside now. 856 00:35:36,344 --> 00:35:39,221 I think it wore on him, and that leads him 857 00:35:39,222 --> 00:35:40,889 to making poor choices at times. 858 00:35:40,890 --> 00:35:42,725 OFFICER: You have the right to remain silent. 859 00:35:42,726 --> 00:35:45,394 Anything you say can be used against you in a court of law. 860 00:35:45,395 --> 00:35:47,272 Do you wanna talk to us? No? 861 00:35:53,361 --> 00:35:54,487 ANNOUNCER: Jon Jones! 862 00:35:54,612 --> 00:35:56,530 Chael Sonnen! 863 00:35:56,531 --> 00:35:59,950 NARRATOR: Less than 10 months after his rematch with Silva, 864 00:35:59,951 --> 00:36:01,828 Chael moves up to light heavyweight 865 00:36:01,953 --> 00:36:06,040 for one final title shot against Jon Jones. 866 00:36:06,041 --> 00:36:08,751 He loses by first-round TKO. 867 00:36:08,752 --> 00:36:13,048 ANNOUNCER: Jon Jones has finished Chael Sonnen! 868 00:36:13,173 --> 00:36:15,966 NARRATOR: Still fighting in 2014... 869 00:36:15,967 --> 00:36:17,760 NEWS: ESPN broke the news on Tuesday 870 00:36:17,761 --> 00:36:19,887 that Chael Sonnen had failed his random drug test. 871 00:36:19,888 --> 00:36:22,724 NARRATOR: ...Chael falls back into a familiar pattern. 872 00:36:22,849 --> 00:36:24,641 CHAEL: I don't wanna say anything to you 873 00:36:24,642 --> 00:36:26,393 that comes off as an excuse. 874 00:36:26,394 --> 00:36:27,811 I... I am guilty. 875 00:36:27,812 --> 00:36:29,605 NARRATOR: Doping allegations. 876 00:36:29,606 --> 00:36:31,982 An admission. Suspension. 877 00:36:31,983 --> 00:36:34,152 But a shift was already in motion. 878 00:36:35,111 --> 00:36:36,737 CHAEL: I know in my own heart, 879 00:36:36,738 --> 00:36:38,322 I'm winding this thing down anyway. 880 00:36:38,323 --> 00:36:40,157 You know, this is largely about paycheques. 881 00:36:40,158 --> 00:36:41,950 And I still had a goal of returning 882 00:36:41,951 --> 00:36:43,160 to a championship fight, 883 00:36:43,161 --> 00:36:44,828 but returning to a championship fight 884 00:36:44,829 --> 00:36:46,790 is not the same as trying to win a championship. 885 00:36:46,915 --> 00:36:47,956 I'm a commentator now. 886 00:36:47,957 --> 00:36:48,999 NARRATOR: The character he built 887 00:36:49,000 --> 00:36:50,834 starting with the first Silva fight 888 00:36:50,835 --> 00:36:53,046 is fuelling his next chapter. 889 00:36:53,171 --> 00:36:55,506 - If I got stomped out in three minutes by a guy 890 00:36:55,507 --> 00:36:58,759 I outweighed by 50 pounds, I'd think about quitting, too. 891 00:36:58,760 --> 00:37:01,178 CHAEL: As a fighter, I never had fun. 892 00:37:01,179 --> 00:37:04,182 Going out and doing media is like a reward. 893 00:37:05,433 --> 00:37:07,644 Being a commentator, there was like an honour in it. 894 00:37:07,769 --> 00:37:09,270 There was a-- I was very proud 895 00:37:09,396 --> 00:37:11,939 that I was the one that was chosen to explain the sport. 896 00:37:11,940 --> 00:37:14,108 These were great days for me. I love playing this game. 897 00:37:14,109 --> 00:37:15,944 - What did you see when you watched that fight? 898 00:37:16,069 --> 00:37:17,821 - Floyd needs to keep doing what he's doing, 899 00:37:17,946 --> 00:37:19,780 which is fighting complete tomato cans 900 00:37:19,781 --> 00:37:21,282 who we've never heard of before. 901 00:37:23,201 --> 00:37:25,453 NARRATOR: Chael officially retires from the cage 902 00:37:25,578 --> 00:37:27,538 in 2019. 903 00:37:27,539 --> 00:37:28,622 CHAEL: If I beat Lyoto tonight, 904 00:37:28,623 --> 00:37:30,250 I'd have fought Bader for the World Championship, 905 00:37:30,375 --> 00:37:33,043 and that was the only reason I was in the sport, you know? 906 00:37:33,044 --> 00:37:34,546 I promised my father I'd, uh... 907 00:37:34,671 --> 00:37:37,464 You know, I was just in the sport. 908 00:37:37,465 --> 00:37:38,967 - Do you leave with any regrets? 909 00:37:39,092 --> 00:37:40,342 - No, no. 910 00:37:40,343 --> 00:37:41,886 I loved every minute. 911 00:37:43,138 --> 00:37:45,348 NARRATOR: He walks away as one of the sport's 912 00:37:45,473 --> 00:37:47,307 greatest smack-talkers. 913 00:37:47,308 --> 00:37:50,854 STEVEN: I am so impressed by his ability to be able to entertain, 914 00:37:50,979 --> 00:37:52,814 to be able to inform, 915 00:37:52,939 --> 00:37:54,857 and to be able to completely dodge trouble 916 00:37:54,858 --> 00:37:56,734 at almost every turn. 917 00:37:56,735 --> 00:37:58,068 NARRATOR: That could change... 918 00:37:58,069 --> 00:38:00,071 in December 2021. 919 00:38:01,156 --> 00:38:05,242 WOMAN: I cannot believe this. I cannot believe this. 920 00:38:05,243 --> 00:38:07,494 STEVEN: The fight in the hotel room. 921 00:38:07,495 --> 00:38:09,164 That's... that's a real outlier. 922 00:38:09,289 --> 00:38:10,789 OFFICER: Where's that female that was here 923 00:38:10,790 --> 00:38:12,291 said she was punched in the face? 924 00:38:12,292 --> 00:38:14,627 WOMAN: She's down the hallway. She's with an officer. 925 00:38:14,753 --> 00:38:15,878 NARRATOR: Chael Sonnen 926 00:38:15,879 --> 00:38:17,671 is charged with five counts of battery 927 00:38:17,672 --> 00:38:21,258 after an incident inside a luxury hotel in Las Vegas. 928 00:38:21,259 --> 00:38:23,343 OFFICER 2: We have a few questions to ask you, 929 00:38:23,344 --> 00:38:26,347 but we're gonna read you something really quick, okay? 930 00:38:26,473 --> 00:38:29,601 STEVEN: Beating the hell out of civilians, allegedly. 931 00:38:31,227 --> 00:38:33,104 That's really worrisome, man. 932 00:38:34,689 --> 00:38:36,691 RANDY: Known Chael a long, long time, 933 00:38:36,816 --> 00:38:38,485 and he's never been one of those guys out, 934 00:38:38,610 --> 00:38:42,906 you know, intentionally trying to start trouble or pick fights. 935 00:38:43,573 --> 00:38:45,325 OFFICER 2: You have the right to remain silent. 936 00:38:45,450 --> 00:38:48,119 Anything you say can be used against you in a court of law. 937 00:38:50,789 --> 00:38:52,539 - I can't. 938 00:38:52,540 --> 00:38:53,749 - No, I'm sorry. 939 00:38:53,750 --> 00:38:55,126 Non-disclosures, and they're very... 940 00:38:55,251 --> 00:38:56,544 they're very, very tight. 941 00:38:58,046 --> 00:38:59,297 OFFICER 2: So, what happened today? 942 00:39:01,049 --> 00:39:02,383 Do you wanna talk to us? 943 00:39:02,384 --> 00:39:04,052 - Mm-mm. - No? Okay. 944 00:39:04,177 --> 00:39:07,222 STEVEN: The story is that this couple is walking down the hall, 945 00:39:10,016 --> 00:39:14,061 they encounter a disoriented Chael Sonnen 946 00:39:14,062 --> 00:39:18,274 who has his shirt ripped off, is stumbling around. 947 00:39:19,693 --> 00:39:21,402 They try to go around him. 948 00:39:21,403 --> 00:39:24,489 He slaps the drink out of the guy's hand. 949 00:39:24,614 --> 00:39:27,409 The guy turns, says, "Hey, what's goin' on?" 950 00:39:27,534 --> 00:39:30,245 In a second, Chael snaps, 951 00:39:30,370 --> 00:39:33,497 starts punching him in the side of the head, 952 00:39:33,498 --> 00:39:36,209 puts him in some sort of a chokehold, allegedly. 953 00:39:36,334 --> 00:39:39,587 It requires five people to restrain him. 954 00:39:41,339 --> 00:39:43,675 Chael doesn't concede to any of this. 955 00:39:46,094 --> 00:39:47,804 OFFICER 2: Yes or no, sir? CHAEL: [mumbling] 956 00:39:47,929 --> 00:39:51,223 STEVEN: Chael Sonnen's claim is that he was defending himself 957 00:39:51,224 --> 00:39:55,018 first from a pair of guys who accosted him 958 00:39:55,019 --> 00:39:57,272 in the hallway of the hotel, 959 00:39:57,397 --> 00:40:00,525 made some sort of comment about Brittany, his wife. 960 00:40:00,650 --> 00:40:03,653 He defended himself, took care of the threat, 961 00:40:03,778 --> 00:40:05,989 and then somehow he got arrested. 962 00:40:07,532 --> 00:40:09,075 OFFICER 2: Do you understand these rights? 963 00:40:09,200 --> 00:40:10,993 - Mmm. - Is that a yes? 964 00:40:10,994 --> 00:40:13,580 MATT: Is this a moment where Chael's unravelling, 965 00:40:13,705 --> 00:40:15,206 or is he showing great integrity? 966 00:40:15,331 --> 00:40:18,293 I-I... I don't even know. 967 00:40:23,381 --> 00:40:25,467 - Oh, yeah, you're right, you're completely right. 968 00:40:25,592 --> 00:40:27,259 OFFICER 2: If you cannot afford an attorney, 969 00:40:27,260 --> 00:40:28,635 one will be appointed before questioning. 970 00:40:28,636 --> 00:40:30,221 - I was defending my honour. 971 00:40:32,557 --> 00:40:35,018 NARRATOR: Chael tells police his memory of the incident 972 00:40:35,143 --> 00:40:36,478 is clouded by Ambien. 973 00:40:37,729 --> 00:40:40,314 STEVEN: "We can't prove he intended to choke you 974 00:40:40,315 --> 00:40:41,650 "because he was on Ambien." 975 00:40:43,652 --> 00:40:46,071 This incident makes me wonder... 976 00:40:47,614 --> 00:40:49,866 whether he's doing drugs. 977 00:40:49,991 --> 00:40:54,412 The Chael that I know never tasted alcohol, never did drugs, 978 00:40:54,537 --> 00:40:57,415 as straight edge as you could possibly be. 979 00:40:57,540 --> 00:41:00,668 Is his life starting to go off the rails? 980 00:41:01,419 --> 00:41:04,463 NARRATOR: Or is this the line finally beginning to blur 981 00:41:04,464 --> 00:41:08,175 between the man he is and the man he often portrays? 982 00:41:08,176 --> 00:41:10,345 STEVEN: This character he's created... 983 00:41:10,470 --> 00:41:12,763 how do you even be a normal person after, you know, 984 00:41:12,764 --> 00:41:14,516 what you've... what you've cultivated? 985 00:41:16,434 --> 00:41:18,685 It could be some sort of personal demon 986 00:41:18,686 --> 00:41:20,020 and he was picking a fight. 987 00:41:20,021 --> 00:41:22,107 I worry about him. I just worry about him. 988 00:41:22,232 --> 00:41:23,857 [indistinct conversation] 989 00:41:23,858 --> 00:41:26,276 STEVEN: Legally, they didn't have the goods to get him 990 00:41:26,277 --> 00:41:28,278 for a felony or even misdemeanours. 991 00:41:28,279 --> 00:41:29,947 These charges were dropped. 992 00:41:29,948 --> 00:41:32,617 So, yeah, he's... he's in the clear. 993 00:41:34,327 --> 00:41:36,578 NARRATOR: Just one more experience 994 00:41:36,579 --> 00:41:38,414 on the bad guy's resume. 995 00:41:38,415 --> 00:41:40,624 - I don't know if anybody's failed more drug tests than me, 996 00:41:40,625 --> 00:41:43,210 but the other side of it is, I don't know if anybody's 997 00:41:43,211 --> 00:41:44,753 gotten away with more drugs than me, right? 998 00:41:44,754 --> 00:41:46,631 I mean, they got me over like seven substances, 999 00:41:46,756 --> 00:41:48,174 but I was on at least 17! 1000 00:41:48,299 --> 00:41:49,884 Like, those tests aren't all that good! 1001 00:41:50,010 --> 00:41:52,720 MATT: Despite mistakes and shortcomings, 1002 00:41:52,721 --> 00:41:56,098 redemption is never about the awards you win, 1003 00:41:56,099 --> 00:41:57,350 the titles you earned; 1004 00:41:57,475 --> 00:41:59,935 it's about who you become in the end. 1005 00:41:59,936 --> 00:42:03,814 His kids see that other man, that empathetic, loving father. 1006 00:42:03,815 --> 00:42:07,986 I know his wife does, I know she sees who he really is. 1007 00:42:08,111 --> 00:42:10,321 I still believe in Chael. 1008 00:42:10,322 --> 00:42:12,031 STEVEN: Even with all of his lies, 1009 00:42:12,032 --> 00:42:13,449 with all of his bullshit, 1010 00:42:13,450 --> 00:42:15,576 with all of his posturing, with all of his stuff, 1011 00:42:15,577 --> 00:42:17,746 it's hard not to just love him because he's entertaining! 1012 00:42:17,871 --> 00:42:19,330 And that's... 1013 00:42:19,331 --> 00:42:21,374 this is the entertainment business. 1014 00:42:21,499 --> 00:42:24,168 SCOTT: I got to sit and have lunch with Conor a couple times, 1015 00:42:24,169 --> 00:42:26,086 who basically expressed to me 1016 00:42:26,087 --> 00:42:28,255 that that's who he was emulating. 1017 00:42:28,256 --> 00:42:30,842 He goes, "Look at all the doors it opens for Chael." 1018 00:42:30,967 --> 00:42:32,843 - Let me tell you something, Chael. 1019 00:42:32,844 --> 00:42:34,012 [people laughing] 1020 00:42:34,137 --> 00:42:36,097 - You never come to my house, to my barbecue. 1021 00:42:36,222 --> 00:42:37,390 - The barbecue. 1022 00:42:37,515 --> 00:42:39,392 - You know, the relationship between me and Chael 1023 00:42:39,517 --> 00:42:42,103 is so interesting because I respect Chael a lot. 1024 00:42:43,063 --> 00:42:44,439 Right now he's my friend. 1025 00:42:45,940 --> 00:42:48,150 Chael changed the game. 1026 00:42:48,151 --> 00:42:52,197 Chael created the whole story, 1027 00:42:52,322 --> 00:42:57,494 to create the curiosity to watch the fight. 1028 00:42:58,495 --> 00:43:01,372 Chael bring that attention for UFC. 1029 00:43:01,373 --> 00:43:03,249 - I didn't know if your wife forgave me. 1030 00:43:03,375 --> 00:43:04,625 It was a whole thing. 1031 00:43:04,626 --> 00:43:06,294 That's the real answer why I didn't come. 1032 00:43:06,419 --> 00:43:08,296 - You need to come, please. 1033 00:43:08,421 --> 00:43:09,963 - In Brazil? - No, here. 1034 00:43:09,964 --> 00:43:12,634 In Brazil, a lot of people will try to kill you, trust me. 1035 00:43:12,759 --> 00:43:13,884 - Yeah. [laughs] 1036 00:43:13,885 --> 00:43:16,221 CHAEL: People will still come up today and go, 1037 00:43:16,346 --> 00:43:18,680 "Hey, I saw your fight with Anderson Silva! 1038 00:43:18,681 --> 00:43:20,349 "Oh, it was so close!" 1039 00:43:20,350 --> 00:43:22,893 I would much prefer 1040 00:43:22,894 --> 00:43:26,313 that I was recognized or praised for something that was... 1041 00:43:26,314 --> 00:43:28,524 that was a victory. 1042 00:43:28,525 --> 00:43:30,735 I get asked about what my legacy is gonna be, 1043 00:43:30,860 --> 00:43:31,777 and you gotta understand, 1044 00:43:31,778 --> 00:43:33,529 I'm the one that's telling the story, 1045 00:43:33,530 --> 00:43:36,073 so I might tell it accurately, 1046 00:43:36,074 --> 00:43:37,909 but I might go to a different place 1047 00:43:38,034 --> 00:43:40,704 and tell you that I fought 50 men and I beat 'em all. 1048 00:43:40,829 --> 00:43:43,248 That I'm the only undisputed champion in history. 1049 00:43:45,667 --> 00:43:46,668 I'm a storyteller. 1050 00:43:46,793 --> 00:43:48,169 I'm a performer. 1051 00:43:48,294 --> 00:43:51,256 And the people are gonna believe whatever I tell 'em.