Chael Sonnen Thinks Junior dos Santos’ Corner Should Be Suspended and Fired

The third fight between UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez and former titleholder Junior dos Santos was billed as the greatest trilogy in UFC history. In reality, it was a quick knockout followed by two of the most one-sided title fights in the promotion’s 20 years of existence.

The two heavyweights met for a third time at UFC 166 on Oct. 19 and Velasquez battered dos Santos, leaving most feeling that the fight should have been stopped earlier than it was. UFC president Dana White, during the post-fight press conference, said he was so appalled that he wanted to throw in the towel.

Dos Santos suffered memory loss from the fifth-round technical knockout. He appeared to be on autopilot from the third round on. UFC contender and Fox Sports analyst Chael Sonnen believes his corner should be held accountable.

“Junior dos Santos’ cornerman needs to be cut, period. That was beyond inappropriate that they sent him back out there,” said Sonnen during a recent question and answer session in Manchester, England.

“The doctor comes in twice. What that doctor was looking for, I have no idea. The referee didn’t stop the fight, though he should have. Ultimately it defaults to your cornerman, who you trust, who is like a father figure. And that guy let Junior dos Santos down, period,” added Sonnen. “The commission licenses these cornermen. I don’t have the foggiest idea why. I guest just to take their $25. That should be the first cornerman that’s suspended. That was beyond wrong what he did.”

Like White, Sonnen believes that dos Santos’ corner should have thrown in the towel, something rarely done in mixed marital arts.

“You do not stop the fight when your fighter can no longer continue. You stop the fight when your fighter can no longer win. The second your guy can’t win, you get him out of there,” he said. “That fight should have been stopped way earlier. It knocked years off of Junior’s life and career. That cornerman should be fired.”