Chael Sonnen on Answering for His Loss at Bellator 170

Chael Sonnen appeared at last night’s post-fight press conference for Bellator 170 (via MMAjunkie) and discussed his first round submission loss to Tito Ortiz. Below are some highlights.

Sonnen on the choke Ortiz caught him in: “The choke I was caught in? Yeah, that was tight. I thought I had him in one, as well. I had my legs on the wrong side, but I thought I had him in one. The one that I was caught in, yeah, that sucked.”

Sonnen on the loss: “It was a rear-naked choke. He was behind me. I was trying to fiddle around with his ankle, and I was putting pressure and asked him after, ‘Was I close on that?’ I suppose I’d have to see it. I believe he had a rear-naked choke.”

Sonnen on learning from the defeat: “Tonight’s helpful for me. I’ve been out for three years, and this was a longterm play. For me, it’s not a sprint; it’s a marathon. I need to get those minutes in, and I thought I did it in the practice room, and I had some deer-in-the-headlights out there. Tito threw a right hand right down the middle right off the bat. It was helpful. I hate to get stuck in those, and I hate to lose a competition, but I’ve got to get some minutes in. After three years, it’s just the way that it goes. I’ll be in the practice room on Monday, and we’ll just use it to get better.”

Sonnen on being the loser: “I’m the loser tonight. I’m not here to promote anything. Going to a press conference when you lose is tough, but it’s protocol. And we all follow different codes. I will say whatever I want before a fight, but by God, I will walk out there and answer for it. And if it doesn’t go my way, I will show up at the press conference and hang my head as well. But this is Tito’s night.”