UFC legends Daniel Cormier, Chael Sonnen play pickleball
It was only a matter of time before pickleball and the world's premier mixed martial arts organization came together.
That time is now, albeit in a rather interesting way.
A pickleball match between Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) legends Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen was featured on the latest episode of reality TV series, The Ultimate Fighter.
Cormier and Sonnen are coaches on the show, and the match was staged as a 'Coaches Challenge' with a substantial sum of money awarded to the winner.
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UFC CEO and President, Dana White, introduced the segment.
"This is my favorite part of the season. All the pressure's off you, the fighters, and all on the coaches. Today, obviously, we are playing pickleball. Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the country, but I'm sure that will change after they watch this game," said White with a laugh. "You're going to play the best of three games. The first coach to win two games wins the 'Coaches Challenge.' The winning coach gets $10,000, and your team of fighters gets $1,500 each."
"Wait, wait, wait... What about the rules?" asked Cormier. "We don't know the rules."
"I have no idea what the rules are," replied White.
A referee presided over the contest, so that concern was quickly alleviated.
Cormier ultimately won the match in straight games.
"I was embarassed that I didn't win," admitted Sonnen. "I was having a good time, and I try not ever to enjoy something when I'm losing. Those are the words of losers, regardless of how much fun it was. I didn't come here to have fun, I came here to beat Daniel, and if there was something more I could've done, I could've prepared, I could've cheated, I could've taken more substances, I would've done it. I just didn't have enough time to do it."
MMA News writer, Thomas Albano, confirmed that the prize purse was actually increased later in the segment.
"After a suggestion from Joseph Morales on Team Sonnen to make it $20,000 for the coaches, White decides the fighters will earn $2,500 each," he wrote.
Not too shabby at all.
