Exclusive Ring Psychology Interview: Matt Lindland on Chael Sonnen, Strikeforce, and the Ugly Side of MMA
by Jonathan Snowden on Aug 13, 2010 3:25 AM EDT
in MMA News
Email
Print
In the second edition of Ring Psychology, Dave Walsh of Headkick Legend and I spoke with Olympic Silver medalist and MMA legend Matt Lindland about his protege Chael Sonnen and Sonnen's amazing UFC 117 experience, his future with Strikeforce, and his class with Sports Management Worldwide that helps students looking to get in the fight game understand a nuanced and often very dirty business. Some excerpts from a really interesting interview:
On Chael Sonnen:
First of all, Chael's always been a big pro wrestling fan. First and foremost. So we studied that sport and the entertainment side of the business for a long time. And I have to give Chael all the credit for going out there and doing it. Obviously he's a very intelligent man to be able to pull that off. To get people to believe it and buy into it, to actually believe it so much that they did it with their wallet. They opened up their wallets and said 'I believe in this so much I'm going to go ahead and put my money down to see you prove it.' That says a lot. It shows what kind of salesman he is.
On Fighting for Strikeforce:
I'd certainly like that, to be a part of that middleweight tournament. I think I'd make a nice addition to that show and lend some real credibility to that event. I look forward to hearing the final word- 'there will be a tournament, here is the bracket, and you'll be a part of it.' I'm looking forward to getting back in the ring. I can tell you training with Chael Sonnen and being in the room with him and still be a sparring partner that can push him...should say a lot about what kind of athlete I am.
We also spoke with Team Quest's rising star Dave Jansen about injuring his video game thumb, learning to talk trash from Sonnen, and making it back on television. Stream the show live at Angry Marks or download it from I Tunes. Feedback appreciated.
76 comments
|
5 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Chael studied pro wrestling for a long time. That’s funny to hear it put that way. I love it. I can just picture Luke sitting at his computer reading this and just shaking his head.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
Cagesideseats.com
by Geno Mrosko on Aug 12, 2010 10:25 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
Oh and rec’d. Love this.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
Cagesideseats.com
by Geno Mrosko on Aug 12, 2010 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Good listen. Matt has a tendency to include himself as much as possible “We made one mistake in that fight”
"Holy Crap Lashley is one Bi black dude. He just looks so immensely thick in that picture."
-Pain
You hear that a lot when a coach talks about his fighter.
by Jonathan Snowden on Aug 12, 2010 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Good point it just struck me as funny but the coach aspect probably didn’t make the connection in my mind. I had no coach :(
"Holy Crap Lashley is one Bi black dude. He just looks so immensely thick in that picture."
-Pain
by Barack Lesnar on Aug 12, 2010 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Studies show that CEO’s that use words like “we” and “the team” tend to perform well.
by MMABookworm on Aug 12, 2010 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Are we on the same team when it comes to this issue?
"Holy Crap Lashley is one Bi black dude. He just looks so immensely thick in that picture."
-Pain
by Barack Lesnar on Aug 13, 2010 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions
and he's wearing a Blade Runner T-shirt
fuckin awesome
The more you drive, the less intelligent you are.
I love Blade Runner
"I ain't got time to breath."
Watch Tosh.O
Pain don't hurt...
by RolloTomasi on Aug 13, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
An old insurance lady had him as a customer years ago.
She said he was a super nice guy. Problem is when you do such a good job of portraying a bad guy that does bad things, dumb asses out in the world think it’s really you that really did it. People were always wanting to kick his ass. I hope that that doesn’t happen any more these days. Dudes obviously got some sort of situation with the the strange development of his head. The general public can be real dumb.
they stole that
the Gracies call it a “Brazilian Tap” so don’t give Matt sole credit.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
You going to fedex or ups that aloe vera to Brazil?
"Holy Crap Lashley is one Bi black dude. He just looks so immensely thick in that picture."
-Pain
by Barack Lesnar on Aug 13, 2010 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions
He discusses this, briefly, in this interview.
by Jonathan Snowden on Aug 12, 2010 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks, Jonathan.
It’s on my to do list for tomorrow. No free time tonight, and I really want to listen to this pretty badly. I’ve always hated Lindland, but he’s an interesting character in MMA, for sure.
I'd say he's earned legend status
certainly been in enough legendary fights to qualify.
Hall of Famer?
no.
Legend?
absolutely
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
I don’t know…(squints eyes wearily)
sure, why not
"In Soviet Russia, Hell goes to you!"
by actionbastard on Aug 12, 2010 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Lindland will never get much due...
He left the UFC at the exact wrong time. He beat some really tough guys in his day, but languishing around in Cage Rage and IFL during the huge MMA boom in the US really hurt his popularity. Sadly it seems like his skills have diminished a lot and he won’t be able to regain those eyeballs anymore.
by Jason H. on Aug 13, 2010 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
NOT CRAZY AFTER ALL?
I think this is really interesting because it proves that Chael isn’t delusional. He’s simply smart. His fights arnt more interesting than Fitches but people are interested because he runs his mouth. He’s a smart savvy business person. I wanted to watch 112 because I wanted to see Silva murder this asshole. Bravo Chael!
by RedSkull on Aug 12, 2010 11:44 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Chael’s fights are way more action-packed than Fitch’s. Chael takes more damage and puts himself in danger more often.
by MMABookworm on Aug 12, 2010 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions
To his detriment.
"I am a man who pisses largely and frequently, which they say is a sign of great mental activity" -Henry Miller-
by Neil Manich on Aug 13, 2010 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Chael may be slightly more exciting than fitch, but he still hasn’t finished a fight in this most recent run in Zuffa. He’s pretty damn boring. If he had any less of a personality I don’t think he would have ever even gotten the title shot.
by RedSkull on Aug 13, 2010 12:24 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
shut up
hes won fight of the night twice now. Just because a guy doesn’t have the power for one hit KO’s theres always people who have to bash him for being boring.
You know
there are more civil ways to approach someone you disagree with other than “shut up,” just saying.
2010 Summer of Side Boob.
Who the fuck are you Fake Emcee the fucking language police, shut up nigga!
Boy do I sound like someone’s mother with that post.
2010 Summer of Side Boob.
by Fake Emcee on Aug 13, 2010 1:46 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hah, my mouse cursor was already on the way to the report button when I suddenly noticed the name at the bottom of the post.
Well played, Emcee; well played.
"I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by in the fight, what you saw, in the ring." - Tito Ortiz
by CasualMMAFan on Aug 13, 2010 5:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Shut up
I disagree.
...like young thieves in a glowing orchard, loosely jacketed against the cold and ten thousand worlds for the choosing.
- C. McCarthy
I literally just typed in unamused cat, and got pages of images. Who the hell is dedicating their lives to taking so many damn pictures of cats?
2010 Summer of Side Boob.
Its about fucking time! ;)
"Jesus, did somebody dip a baby in jalepenos?" - My Girlfriend
by Earl Montclair on Aug 13, 2010 4:49 AM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
go to head kick legend and comment
They wrote the piece and they could use more members over there.
my bad
**Both guys wrote the piece, but they could still use more people over there.
Appreciate it..
But you know, we cover some niche stuff that isn’t for everybody. It’s cool.
Head Kick Legend
Twitter @HeadKickLegend
"I think I'd make a nice addition to that show
and lend some real credibility to that event."
Is he aware that Kevin Casey gave him problems a few months ago. Honestly the worst fighter I have ever seen, in person at least. And I’ve seen some tiny am shows at shitty casinos. I don’t want to fighter bash, but I honestly don’t know what Casey’s skill set is. Supposedly, he’s a Gracie brown belt, but at no point did he show any real skill or athleticism. Jose Aldo would kick his ass. After watch Lindland struggle with Casey, I pick Aldo in a fight with Matt, too. But I guess I can’t really knock him for trying to stay in the sport a little longer.
"I trained with Steven Seagal."
by B.H. Farnsworth on Aug 13, 2010 12:22 AM EDT reply actions
You are disrespecting
one of the best middleweights in MMA history. He was a bad fight for anybody in the division for a long time. This is just short of saying Matt Hughes sucks and would have trouble with Scott Jorgenson because he looked bad against Renzo.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
In no way are those comparable.
I’m talking about his actual sub-par performance against a green, undersized, low skill level fighter. I’m not doing MMAth or making comparisons.
I’m not trying to disrespect Lindland at all, I’m aware of who he is. He’s the only reason I even bought tickets to the show. Maybe he was out of shape, but he looked to be 30% of what he was when he was fighting the world beaters.
"I trained with Steven Seagal."
by B.H. Farnsworth on Aug 13, 2010 12:44 AM EDT up reply actions
to clarify
i was saying Casey, not Lindland is the worst fighter I’ve seen, in person.
"I trained with Steven Seagal."
by B.H. Farnsworth on Aug 13, 2010 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Casey is the kind of guy that Bellator would dig up out of nowhere in order to increase Hector Lombard’s highlight reel real quick.
2010 Summer of Side Boob.
Shhhh...
Don’t let Spencer Pratt hear you say that.
"I trained with Steven Seagal."
by B.H. Farnsworth on Aug 13, 2010 2:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Yep
All over your mouth and face. Then you get your own show on MTV.
"I trained with Steven Seagal."
by B.H. Farnsworth on Aug 13, 2010 3:59 AM EDT up reply actions
As long as it doesn't follow
the likes of Paris Hilton or Kim Kardasian, I wouldn’t want my show catching a contact STD.
2010 Summer of Side Boob.
I want to see him in the tournament. I think being around Chael training and prepping together for a huge title fight might have Lindland fired up and motivated if not inspired.
"Holy Crap Lashley is one Bi black dude. He just looks so immensely thick in that picture."
-Pain
by Barack Lesnar on Aug 13, 2010 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions
I guess I’m just bummed about him fighting anymore at all. I was expecting him to suplex Casey then pound him out in the first round. He just looked so much different than he used to.
"I trained with Steven Seagal."
by B.H. Farnsworth on Aug 13, 2010 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Ah, you must be a dog person.....
"Jesus, did somebody dip a baby in jalepenos?" - My Girlfriend
by Earl Montclair on Aug 13, 2010 5:46 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
See folks
here in America we have so much food on hand that we can waste it for the sake of throwaway sight gags.
What’s that little Ricardo, hah hah no you can’t have any of my cheesecake so run along and go play in your…field of barren land.
2010 Summer of Side Boob.
Are you trying to imply that hotdog buns are food?
"I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by in the fight, what you saw, in the ring." - Tito Ortiz
by CasualMMAFan on Aug 13, 2010 5:55 AM EDT up reply actions
They aren’t?
"Jesus, did somebody dip a baby in jalepenos?" - My Girlfriend
by Earl Montclair on Aug 13, 2010 5:56 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't know what you do with em friend
but where I come from we generally do eat them. You wouldn’t happen to have a weiner dog and a digital camera would you?
2010 Summer of Side Boob.
im wether a dog or a cat-person..
grown ups posting ‘cute animal’ pics in a mma-thread cant be normal.
when ya like animals, well, then put up their pics on a wall in your crib, dont post them on mma-discussion-threads… jeez.
FITCH for UNDERCARD!
you beat me to it but ima do it anyways
"Jesus, did somebody dip a baby in jalepenos?" - My Girlfriend
by Earl Montclair on Aug 13, 2010 6:18 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
lol
That kid is a bitch. Stood there and got mauled.
Was that from Fred Ettish’s home movies or something?
...only because you called me a sissy ;)
"Jesus, did somebody dip a baby in jalepenos?" - My Girlfriend
by Earl Montclair on Aug 13, 2010 6:30 AM EDT up reply actions
joy
"I ain't got time to breath."
Watch Tosh.O
Pain don't hurt...
by RolloTomasi on Aug 13, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I forgot to actually comment on the interview at hand
Sonnen did a terrific job of hyping up the fight and making outlandish claims to get his own name out in the spotlight as well, this has been well acknowledged. He did a good job of entertaining most that knew it was all just a show, getting others pissed off even though some were completely aware of what he was doing, and actually getting some people to even cheer for him thinking he shared their own personal misguided views. Even Dana White was in on the act stating every time that someone asked him about it “Chael has been talking like this for a while but no one was paying attention, and I believe he 100% believes everything he’s saying.” This goes to show that either Dana is completely aware of the act and of course wants to protect kayfabe (whats the point of trash talking if really you’re just gonna keep reminding people you don’t actually mean it) or that Dana’s view of Chael’s mental state is just that low, either way he helped.
Now considering the fact that Chael actually ended up backing up everything he claimed, as completely far fetched as it had seemed prior to the fight, the sky is the limit for this kid in terms of marketability. Matt Lindland is still bald though.
2010 Summer of Side Boob.
Great show guys. A considerable step up from your last show. I’m really enjoying these podcasts. Keep up the good work!!!!
Check out my MMA highlight videos!
http://www.dailymotion.com/WheelchairBandit
Yeah, we hadn't done this in years
The first go was kinda just like ‘yeah, whatever, GO GO GO!’
Head Kick Legend
Twitter @HeadKickLegend
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Bloody Elbow
Related FanShots on Bloody Elbow
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
MMA Rankings
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
