Chael Sonnen alleges Lance Armstrong gave himself cancer by taking performance enhancing drugs

We deleted the previous story posted at

http://www.watchkalibrun.com/2010/8/16/1625269/chael-sonnen-shane-carwin-gave

because it was a parody of Chael Sonnen's potential comments which was not conspiciously marked.  Sonnen's past comments made it seem likely that he said it too.



Reposted from Yahoo Sports:

Wed Aug 04 10:28am PDT

Sonnen stays classy, claims Armstrong gave himself cancer

By Maggie Hendricks

In promoting his UFC 117 title bout with Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen has been the picture of class. He's gone on and on about how Silva has been ducking him, how Silva may be the champion but he's the best — it goes on and on. Until now, his targets have been mostly confined to the world of MMA. That has changed. In an interview with Pro MMA Radio, he found a new target: Tour de France legend and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. Sonnen said:

Take Lance Armstrong. Lance Armstrong did a number of things and he gave himself cancer. He cheated, he did drugs, and he gave himself cancer. Well, instead of saying ‘Hey listen, I cheated and gave myself cancer, don't be like me.' He actually made himself the victim and then went out and profited something like $15 million dollars from this ‘Hey, poor me, let's find a cure for cancer' campaign instead of just coming clean and saying, ‘Look, here's what I did, I screwed myself up, and I hope people learn from my mistakes.' You just watch these guys and can't help but think, God, what a fraud.

It's interesting that in addition to being a wannabe politician, a realtor, a cagefighter, a trash talker and a wrestler, Sonnen has somehow found the time to become an oncologist. Clearly, he's taken the time to learn the intricacies of cancer, tumors and their causes. Sonnen must have taken the time to learn these things before stating something so reckless. Wait, he's not a doctor? And he has no business speaking about such things? So this ridiculous statement, like many of the other things Sonnen has said.

MMA Maxim's views on the matter:

Defamation includes both libel (written word) and slander (spoken words) but have become obscured as new technologies place the spoken word and transform it into a tangible medium.  The importance of this distinction is highly relevant in lawsuits but not to the average listener or reader.  The definition of defamation as stated by the Restatement (Second) of Torts, Section 558 provides:

(a) a false and defamatory statement concerning another;

(b) an unprivileged publication to a third-party;

(c) fault amounting to at least negligence on the part of the publisher; and

(d) either actionability of the statement irrespective of special harm or the existence of special harm caused by publication.

Armstrong is a "public figure" after winning so many bicycle races like the "Tour de France" multiple times.  The test for defamation for "public figures" and if the subject is "newsworthy" is generally harder to prove.  However, we will not be surprised if some defamation lawyers make some serious money with this constant trash talking of criminal allegations.  We wonder what Sonnen will say if he wins his bid to become an elected politician and is shielded by the benefit of the legislature's immunity while in session from defamation claims.  Our view: good if he is accurate for speaking the truth but horribly wrong if inaccurate.