Former UFC stalwart Chael Sonnen believes 11th ranked Welterweight fighter Michael Chiesa (18–6) is the perfect opponent for Conor McGregor (22-6) on the latter’s comeback to the Octagon, referring to the infamous bus attack prior to UFC 229 and Chiesa’s lawsuit against McGregor.
Chael Sonnen says McGregor vs Chiesa “checks a lot of boxes”
Conor McGregor‘s return to the UFC is one of the most anticipated events that fans are eagerly waiting to see happen this year, with the former double champion expected to return to welterweight. “The Notorious” has been out of action since breaking his leg in the trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July last year and recently made a direct callout at reigning UFC Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.
Chael Sonnen, however, believes Michael Chiesa is the one McGregor should take on inside the cage up next. Recalling the pre-UFC 229 bus incident, in which McGregor smashed a dolly through the window of a bus carrying the then lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, as well as Chiesa, Sonnen stated on his YouTube channel that “Maverick” being the Irishman’s comeback option is very interesting.
“Michael Chiesa,” said Sonnen, “That’s the one that has absolutely never been discussed by anybody. I personally believe that there is a gag order. I personally believe there’s a reason that Chiesa’s never called out McGregor. But just to remind you guys when the bus incident between Conor and the dolly and Khabib (Nurmagomedov) took place, there was lawsuits that followed that, and Chiesa was one of them. Chiesa got glass into his eye – it was very bad experience.
Chiesa, who was injured in the bus attack and sustained multiple cuts on his face and forehead, had to pull out of his UFC 229 bout against Anthony Pettis and went on to file a lawsuit against McGregor, which Sonnen believes to be the perfect spark to start a rivalry between the two.
“I think that there’s a story there, personally. Whether that turned into fruition and that turned into a fight, I’ve always thought there was a story there that should be told – but neither guy has told it. Neither guy’s manager has told it. Neither camp has told it. No trainers have told it. I just elected on my own that there must be some kind of a gag order in place. But that’s the match. That’s a very interesting match from a stylistic standpoint. That checks a lot of boxes,” Sonnen added. [H/T MMA Junkie]
Highlights:
- Chael Sonnen wants Conor McGregor to take on Michael Chiesa on his return to the Octagon
- The two fighters have a history that dates back to the bus incident before UFC 229 when Chiesa filed a lawsuit against McGregor
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