Luke Thomas had the opportunity to sit down and talk with UFC superstar Chael Sonnen about the upcoming Summer Games (2012 London Olympics Opening Ceremony is tonight, by the way) and the United States freestyle wrestling team’s chances for success. Sonnen’s own background makes him more than slightly qualified to give some insight into this year’s US Olympic team.
Here’s the video:
And a quote to show just how a calmer, not in “fight promotion” mode, Chael Sonnen reacts to a question that seems tailor made for his brand of “trash talk.” Luke asked how Sonnen felt about Franklin Gomez competing for the Puerto Rican team:
I don’t mind it at all if that’s where he feels his loyalty to. Because that’s really what this is about. You’re not wrestling for yourself or your university. You’re wrestling for your territory. You’re representing your country and if that’s where Franklin wants to be, I think that’s AWESOME. I think HE is awesome. Also, to your point about he could have competed for America, he also trains out there with Cael Sanderson at the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, so he’s on American soil. But that guy’s a stud and frankly I’m glad he is competing with Puerto Rico.
Of course, you can find out own Michael Riordan’s breakdowns of the competition on Bloody Elbow as well (120kg, 96kg, 84kg, 74kg, 66kg, 60kg, 55kg).