Chael Sonnen loves American sports but isn’t a fan of teams like the Lakers. The former UFC contender claims players play for them because of the money. In comparison, Sonnen cited UFC’s own Dagestani camp led by Khabib Nurmagomedov. He claimed that they are the only ‘real’ team in all of sport, which is bound by the values of brotherhood.
Sonnen explained his love for Khabib’s team and said that all the fighters in that team go to the same gym, they grow up together and help each other and they pass it forward.
“Guys, we’ve got one real team in the world. It’s not the Lakers. You write a big enough check, they’ll put your jersey on…The only real team that we have, in any sport, anywhere, is Khabib’s team.”
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This unique bond, rooted in shared values, discipline, and mutual respect has set Team Khabib apart in the world of sports. The team has had prominent fighters in MMA, namely Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, Usman, and Umar Nurmagomedov. Between them, they have a combined win-loss record of 91-2!
So Sonnen might have a point. However, he has spoken about this few days after questioning the unity of the Dagestani team in the light of Khabib being asked to deboard a plane.
Where were Khabib’s teammates? Sonnen asks
Earlier this week, when the whole Khabib-Frontier Airlines saga unfolded, Sonnen had actually claimed that the flight staff was correct in asking him to leave. He had commented about being a frequent flier with experience in the emergency seat and asserted that the rules were the same for everyone.
Sonnen had then taken it a step further and asked why nobody from Khabib’s team had walked out with him.
“When Khabib got up and walked out, did his team not see that he was being escorted off? Because generally, that would be the moment when the whole team stands up and you suddenly see 4 or 5 guys missing.”
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Did Khabib’s team fail to show the solidarity that fans have come to expect from such a tightly-knit group at that time? Any statement about that only be speculative at this moment.
As it stands, the matter seems to have been resolved. Or to be precise, the airline has seemingly closed the investigation and Khabib doesn’t look like he’s interested in pushing it further.
