"If you're using words like that, you better be specific" – Chael Sonnen disputes Joe Rogan calling Alex Pereira's weight cut "sanctioned cheating"

UFC commentator Joe Rogan had previously labeled middleweight champion Alex Pereira's weight cut as sanctioned cheating. Former UFC middleweight contender and current mixed martial arts analyst Chael Sonnen disagreed with Rogan's claims.

Joe Rogan says Alex Pereira being a massive middleweight is sanctioned cheating 👀

#UFC #MMA | @joerogan https://t.co/PGMfsC7gZ7

Speaking on his podcast, Beyond the Fight, Sonnen stated:

"Joe Rogan came out and said that Pereira's size is sanctioned cheating. Very powerful language... If you're using words like that, you better be specific. Where? The rule in all 50 states and jurisdictions abroad says you must make weight within a window."

Sonnen added:

"There are also rules on how you can rehydrate, how you can replenish. Were any of those rules broken? I'm going to have to superpose that 'No, there's not even a rumor that they are.' Otherwise, the word 'sanctioned cheating' would not apply."

While Alex Pereira looked relatively huge during his fifth-round TKO victory over Israel Adesanya at UFC 281, as Sonnen pointed out, he didn't break any rules. Although he may have had an advantage, it is difficult to label his actions as cheating.

Watch Chael Sonnen discuss Alex Pereira's weight cut below (starting at the 4:09 mark):

Joe Rogan shares his thoughts on how Israel Adesanya handled UFC 281 loss

Israel Adesanya was shocked in the fifth-round of the UFC 281 headliner. Despite being up three rounds to one on all three judges' scorecards, he was TKO'd in the final round. Joe Rogan discussed how Adesanya responded to the loss.

#UFC281 Official Scorecard: @AlexPereiraUFC vs Israel Adesanya

See every scorecard here ➡️ ufc.ac/3EmxiUu https://t.co/fczwLCnvnf

Speaking on his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, the UFC commentator stated:

"The way he responded to that loss is better than anybody ever. The dude shows up to the press conference with a f**king fur coat like a king, dope-a** watch on, and just says, 'He got me.' And he was honest about all of it."

Adesanya shared that he could have survived the barrage of strikes from Pereira in the fifth-round. However, he did not blame referee Marc Goddard for stopping the fight. He will look to recapture his title, as he will likely be Pereira's first title defense.

Watch Rogan discuss how Israel Adesanya has handled his loss below (starting at the 0:05 mark):