Does a fighter’s debut mean everything in the world of the Octagon, or is there more to it? Chael Sonnen believes that might be the case.
“I gotta tell you, if you know Asakura, yeah,” Sonnen said. “It sounds right.” He used an example – one that resonates with many seasoned UFC veterans and fans: “If you can get the boys together and put them in a room, one hour later they will tell you who the leader is. They’ll also tell you who the co-captain is. They don’t have to touch, they don’t have to fight. They don’t even have to come near each other.” This was his way of explaining how quickly it all boils down to a leadership dynamic – an unspoken hierarchy in the face of fierce competition.
Sonnen explained why fans are excited about Asakura’s debut and how this fight against Pantoja will affect the MMA landscape: “I gotta tell you, if you know Asakura, yeah,” Sonnen said. “It sounds right.” He used the analogy to emphasize that UFC fighters getting title shots in debuts is more common than realized.
As for why Asakura deserves a title shot, Sonnen explained, “They’re not just fighting good guys; they’re battling badasses.” He elaborated on what made this fight so exciting: “And he can out-scramble them better than anyone for one reason: he’s in better shape than them.”
Sonnen went on to highlight the significance of Asakura’s rise, emphasizing his undeniable talent and potential.
“His secret sauce is not his team. It’s not his training. His secret sauce is his ability to out-scramble everybody he’s ever fought,” Sonnen said. “And he can out-scramble them better than anyone for one reason: he’s in better shape than them.”
What are your thoughts on Chael Sonnen’s comments? Can Kai Asakura upset Alexandre Pantoja to win the flyweight title?