Video: Chael Sonnen's bizarre 'SportsCenter' appearance prior to UFC 159

The Chael Sonnen shtick seems to have gone from the usually bombastic to the truly bizarre.

On Tuesday, the recent middleweight and upcoming light-heavyweight title challenger visited the ESPN studios ahead of Saturday’s UFC 159 headliner.

Even for Sonnen, his “SportsCenter” spot raised some eyebrows, especially when he requested to touch host Sage Steele’s hair.

“It was definitely one of the more awkward interviews I’ve done – the first and hopefully last time I’ve had some ask to touch my hair – but it’s not like anything could mess it up more than it already is!” Steele told Big Lead Sports. “I’ve met Chael before and knew going in that he was a wild man. You just have to know your subject. He’s a character. … I think he’s hysterical and totally harmless.”

Watch the segment above. And catch Sonnen (27-12-1 MMA, 6-5 UFC) in action in Saturday’s UFC 159 pay-per-view headliner, where he meets light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones (17-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC).

For more on UFC 159, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.