Chael Sonnen tries his luck against grappling legend and ends up put to sleep twice

Craig Jones finalizou Chael Sonnen no CJI (Foto: Instagram)

Ex-desafiante ao cinturão do UFC nos médios (até 83,9 kg) e meio-pesados (até 93 kg), Chael Sonnen voltou à ativa na noite do último domingo (31), mas viveu momentos complicados no Craig Jones Invitational 2, a grappling event in Las Vegas (USA). Chosen at the last minute to replace Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling champion Gable Stevenson, the American ended up being submitted twice by the host and multiple jiu-jitsu champion, Craig Jones.

The fight, scheduled for three five-minute rounds, followed a similar pattern in both attempts. Sonnen started by taking the Australian to the ground, but was surprised with a fair buggy chokeThe pressure was so intense that the veteran blacked out. Having recovered, the American insisted on continuing, but he was once again the victim of the same submission, once again being put to sleep by the choke.

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In good humor, Sonnen even tried to turn the duel into a sort of "best of five," but referee John McCarthy called a halt to the action after the second submission. The official result was declared a Jones victory by a double. buggy choke, drawing applause from the crowd.

On the social network X (formerly Twitter), the former UFC fighter reacted wittily to the defeat. "The contract said best of five," Sonnen wrote jokingly. Hours later, he commented again: "The first thing you do in a position like that is relax. That was it. I don't blame anyone, and I'm not upset. Misunderstandings happen. I forgive you."

VIDEO: Watch Chael Sonnen's submissions against Craig Jones

Craig Jones puts Chael Sonnen to sleep with a buggy choke in thirty seconds at CJI 2. pic.twitter.com/ob3GPCCi7D

— Val Dewar (flyweight enjoyer) (@the3els) September 1, 2025

They run it back right away and Craig Jones puts Chael Sonnen out cold again with another buggy choke at CJI 2. Chael says best 3 out of 5.

This is starting to feel like performance art. https://t.co/qqZzGPfFE9 pic.twitter.com/JxeFAHsMwu

— Val Dewar (flyweight enjoyer) (@the3els) September 1, 2025