Chael Sonnen, the outspoken former UFC contender and MMA analyst, is making headlines once more, this time, for refusing to switch his cellphone after fellow fighter Gilbert Burns leaked his private quantity on-line. The incident ignited a frenzy within the MMA group.
Chael Sonnen
The drama started when the Brazilian-born MMA athlete Burns shared what he claimed was Sonnen’s cellphone quantity on Twitter. In a since-deleted put up, Burns wrote, “Still with this number? +1 (***) ***-***. Calling you to see what’s up!” He accused Sonnen of disrespect, citing feedback made on Sonnen’s present that implied Burns was “officially retired” from MMA.
Telephone Ordeal
Whereas many might need anticipated Sonnen to right away exchange his cellphone, the self-proclaimed “Bad Guy” revealed why that’s not an choice. In his trademark candid fashion, Sonnen defined, “I can get another phone; that takes moments to do. As a matter of fact, a guy from Verizon contacted me and said, ‘I saw what Gilbert did. When it’s time for a new phone, just call me directly. I can actually teach you how to do it—you don’t even have to come into the store.’”
Nevertheless, Sonnen’s determination isn’t about comfort—it’s about safety. “Many security agents have a two-factor authentication—I’ve never been able to say that word—authenticate, authentication—which are tied to this number, including, in my case, crypto wallets. So I can’t just do away with this phone,” Sonnen mentioned.
The scenario took an intriguing flip when Sonnen reached out to Burns to handle the problem. “I spoke to Gilbert, and Gilbert asked me, ‘By the way, why’d you say that?’ And I just answered him: ‘I thought I was backing you up,’” Chael Sonnen mentioned.
For now, Chael Sonnen appears unfazed by the ordeal, opting to maintain his present cellphone quantity regardless of the flood of calls and messages it triggered. The previous fighter’s resilience answered calls from MMA followers on his YouTube channel turning your complete ordeal on its head. He used this second to create partaking content material, one other W for the “Bad Guy.”