Chael Sonnen claps back at Jorge Masvidal after ‘fake a** gangster’ claim: “I have more felonies than he does”

Chael Sonnen, the former three-time UFC title challenger, made a successful MMA career with words more than his fighting. Sonnen pioneered the art of trash-talking long before Conor McGregor entered the fray to become the first simultaneous two-division champion in the UFC.

Even after retirement, Sonnen’s comments about UFC fighters have often come at odds with retired and active fighters. One of his most recent beefs was with Jorge ‘Gamebred’ Masvidal, the former BMF champion who also happened to be an enemy of Colby ‘Chaos’ Covington, who looks up to Sonnen as a mentor.

Chael Sonnen lashes out at Jorge Masvidal

Chael Sonnen has been very active in varied roles with the UFC, Bellator MMA, and PFL in addition to his presence via his social media channels. Recently, Sonnen lashed out at Jorge Masvidal on his YouTube channel. “Jorge Masvidal tried to come at me and call me a fake gangster. I have more felonies than he does, which is jailhouse talk,” said Sonnen.

Sonnen has a penchant for being sarcastic and using phrases to demean his opponents with words, and his comments about Masvidal were just that. Sonnen’s recent remarks came after Masvidal called out Sonnen for a fight and vowed to break Sonnen’s orbital bones. Sonnen had earlier urged Masvidal to see a therapist after he heard Masvidal’s remarks after his acquittal in a lawsuit filed by Colby Covington.

Colby Covington, a student of Sonnen, was assaulted by Masvidal after the two locked horns inside the octagon, only for Masvidal to lose dominantly. However, Masvidal was acquitted of the case, and he had a joyful response about it on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Hour.

It was this response that provoked Sonnen to make the therapist comment. Masvidal retired from MMA after his loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287, which also was his fourth consecutive loss in the UFC. However, he will be making his comeback against Nate Diaz in a boxing match this month in Las Vegas.

Chael Sonnen and Jorge Masvidal beef explored

The MMA world is a small circle, and it is no stranger to feuds inside and outside the cage. Therefore, it is not a surprise to see the beef between Jorge Masvidal and Chael Sonnen grabbing the attention of the fans. Unlike many other feuds, the Masvidal-Sonnen feud is steeped in both personal and professional rivalry.

In reality, the beef between Sonnen and Masvidal is an extension of Masvidal’s beef with Colby Covington, a student of Sonnen. Masvidal and Covington were best friends before they became bitter enemies, particularly after Covington turned heel after his fight with Demian Maia in Brazil. Their beef outside was utilized as fodder for UFC 272, which was headlined by Covington and Masvidal.

Covington was victorious against Masvidal, but the beef did not settle there as Masvidal attacked Covington at a steakhouse in Miami. It was this incident that made Sonnen furious and turn heel against the Miami native. Covington filed a lawsuit against Masvidal for the assault, but Masvidal escaped jail time with acquittal.

The acquittal was when the beef between Sonnen and Masvidal started, as Sonnen went nuclear on Masvidal, which made Masvidal respond in kind. The duo has been trading barbs since November of 2023 and from the looks of it, does not seem to end any time soon.

What do you think of the Chael Sonnen – Jorge Masvidal beef? Leave your thoughts below!