'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
It seems Chael Sonnen was present for one of the rehearsals for UFC 306 at Sphere in Las Vegas, and suffice it to say, the production quality blew away the MMA fighter-turned-pundit.
Talking to Ariel Helwani on a live recording of the Uncrowned podcast, the former UFC title challenger stated that the upcoming event is shrouded in secrecy. Access to the arena is minimal. However, earlier today, Sonnen was allowed access to the main section of the venue, and he was thoroughly impressed with how the event has been set up:
"I've got to tell you guys, it was remarkable, it was awesome. If I had a stronger word to use I would use it. Like I've never seen anything like this. I was telling Ariel, the only thing that comes close by example would be the opening ceremonies to an Olympic games, which take four years and have the funding of the host nation. And by the way, the Sphere beats it, but that's the only thing I can think to even compare it to."
Catch Chael Sonnen's comments about UFC 306 below:
Catch the full live show below:
Chael Sonnen picks the winner of UFC 306 main event
The bantamweight title headliner between Sean O'Malley and Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 has been billed as a close one by the oddsmakers. 'Sugar' is given a -118 chance of victory, with Dvalishvili close behind at -102.
Seeing as 'The Machine' is one of the most dangerous wrestlers in the division, many believe he will smother the reigning champion with takedowns come Saturday night. However, Chael Sonnen doesn't subscribe to this narrative.
In a recent appearance on ESPN BET, the UFC Hall of Famer picked 'Sugar' to make a successful title defense:
"I've got to tell you, it's O'Malley. I don't want to bury the lead on this one. He is that good. Look since 1993, we've been trying to figure out what is better in a real fight, the stand-up artist or the grappling artist? And since 1993 it's always been the grappler, until now. There is a massive changing of the guard. I think Sean O'Malley helps to represent that. Sean O'Malley is going to stop the takedown, he's going to get up if he gets taken down and ultimately he's going to win the fight. And still, 'Sugar' Sean."
Catch Chael Sonnen's comments on the UFC 306 main event below (1:40):
