Chael Sonnen Backpedals On Piper's Pit Claim, Talks Attending Piper's Funeral
Recently on You're Welcome with Chael Sonnen, the former UFC star and current GFW commentator sought to clarify his controversial statements that 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper was going to "pass the torch" of Piper's Pit to Sonnen. Also, during the podcast, Sonnen shared his impressions of attending Piper's funeral service this week in Oregon.
As we previously reported, Sonnen claimed that Piper committed to appearing on a GFW show shortly before his passing. The ultimate result of Piper's appearance on the GFW show would be to "pass the torch" of Piper's Pit to Sonnen.
In response, Raymond Hernandez, the producer of the Piper's Pit podcast, reached out to MMAMania to refute Sonnen's claim, stating that, "Roddy would have never handed off Piper's Pit. And if he were to do so, it wouldn't be to an MMA fighter, it would have been to a pro-wrestler."
On his podcast, Sonnen attempted to clarify his controversial claims by saying, "I used the term, 'Piper's Pit', because that was the greatest interview segment that wrestling [has] had," Sonnen said, "all I meant was, I was going to do interviews in Global Force Wrestling."
Sonnen admitted that he was "very embarrassed" after getting wind of Hernandez's response and he contacted Hernadez to clear the air. Sonnen said he did not want people to think he attempted to gain a headline off of somebody's death. According to Sonnen, Hernandez apologized and acknowledged that he lashed out because he is struggling to cope with Piper's passing. Sonnen noted that "[Hernandez] went a step further and called the guy that wrote the article and he said what I just said to you; he goes, 'I'm not myself right now – I'm struggling with this and I'm sorry."
As for Piper's funeral, Sonnen mentioned that he was there to support Piper's son, Colt, who Sonnen became close with from training together at Team Quest in Oregon. Sonnen said he would see Colt every day at Matt Lindland's gym in Gresham, Oregon.
"I trained with him, we threw punches at each other, you know, you become pretty close through that, and that was really my tie to the family, was through Colt more than anything else," Sonnen said.
Sonnen went on to say that the funeral service was very nice and a celebration of life that put him in a good mood. Notably, a video message from Piper to his family was played at the service. While Sonnen did not know whether the video was recorded to be played in case of Piper's passing or just as a quick note to the family before going on the road, Sonnen said the video was "awesome" and "the coolest thing".
On this episode of You're Welcome, Sonnen also talked with Forrest Griffin and Eddie Bravo. To listen to the podcast in its entirety, click here.
Source: You?re Welcome with Chael Sonnen