Chael Sonnen: Wrestler Who Sucker Punched Opponent Shouldn’t Be Banned For Life

Apr 20, 2023 9:32 am

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A youth wrestler went viral for all of the wrong reasons, with a video showing a brutal sucker punch after a match. The incident took place in Illinois, with the sucker punch leaving one wrestler with an injured nose.

That led to calls for the 14-year-old wrestler to be indefinitely suspended, but MMA star Chael Sonnen doesn’t believe that would be the right call.

Instead, Sonnen believes it should be a teachable moment.

Hafid Alicea of Maine West (IL) throws a sucker punch at the line
Youth wrestler sucker punches rival in the FACE during post-game handshake after defeat
The incident between both eighth graders took place at a tournament in Illinois pic.twitter.com/DwKgTevpgx

— Truthseeker (@Xx17965797N) April 19, 2023

“I would tell you as a coach, the worst thing that a young man should have is free time,” Sonnen told TMZ Sports. “It’s probably one of the reasons that his parents got him enrolled and enlisted him in something like wrestling in the first place.”

“To kick the kid out and have him just roaming the streets and doing something else I think should be given a real consideration.”

“This was a terrible moment, but it could also be a teachable moment… We don’t know the rest of the story. For sure it was terrible action but to ban a kid for life, I think there’s a discussion that at least deserves to be had.”

The Oak Park Police Department is investigating the incident and punishment has yet to be decided.

Sonnen added, “Wrestlers tend to forgive other wrestlers and I bet if you asked that kid that was hit, what he wants to see happen, he does not tell you ban that kid or put him in jail.”