In addition to being one of the most polarizing fighters in MMA history, Chael Sonnen has become one of the become one of the most prominent voices in the sport. When a hot-button issue arises somewhere on the MMA landscape, you can guaran-damn-tee Uncle Chael will be there to weigh in on it.

During this week's session of his "Beyond the Fight" podcast, Sonnen addressed the story surrounding Al Iaquinta's removal from his bout against Thiago Alves at UFC 205. While fights fall apart all the time in combat sports, what has brought extra attention to Iaquinta's case was the New Yorker's personal decision not to sign the bout agreement due to his refusal to take a pay cut to fight.

Iaquinta told Fox Sports his contract renegotiation was done before the now-notorious Reebok deal was put in place. And since Iaquinta has been on the shelf rehabbing a knee injury, none of his fights have taken place under the new pay structure.

After much consideration Iaquinta pulled out of the bout with the American Top Team fighter, and lightweight veteran Jim Miller was tapped to take his place. Sonnen was quick to voice his support of Iaquinta's stance, but he also declared the entire situation surrounding the fallout was a mystery to him.

"This is a pretty interesting situation because I can't remember a time where more guys were resisting, or contract disputes actually led to the cancellation of a bout," Sonnen said. "Usually those things get worked out. This guy isn't happy here. The company isn't happy there, but they get worked out. This one is off.

"This one isn't gonna get worked out, and they aren't even trying to resolve it. The company has moved on. Somebody stepped in and that fight with Alves is gone. I don't know where that leaves us with Al Iaquinta, and I say that as a Al Iaquinta fan. I want to see him back, and I want to see him back soon.

"I want to see him on the New York card, and I know he's working his ass off," he added. "He went through an injury, healed and he's working his ass off to fight. But there are a lot more questions here than there are answers."



Apr 4, 2015; Fairfax, VA, USA; Al Iaquinta (blue gloves) gestures to the fans after fighting Jorge Masvidal (not pictured) during UFC Fight Night at Patriot Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Sonnen also pointed to a similar case, which recently made headlines across the sport, when former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold publicly held out for more money.

Granted, the California native was recently a champion and that adds a bit more weight, but Sonnen doesn't see all too much difference between Rockhold's case and the current dilemma Iaquinta currently finds himself in -- other than one was set right while the other was pushed aside.

"Luke Rockhold just went through it, but to my point things got resolved," Sonnen said. "The fight is on and he's going overseas to fight [Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza] in a huge rematch. There are huge stakes behind it and a huge storyline. They first fought over in Strikeforce and it was controversial where no one knew who won the fight. It went to the judges, and I think it was even a split decision that ultimately went to Rockhold.

"My point is with Rockhold it got worked out and with Al it didn't and I'm disappointed in that. I liked the backstory in that Thiago called him out and Al thought it was underhanded enough and got mad. I'm into the whole 'Al Gimmick.' I like that he got drunk at his post-fight and destroyed a hotel room. The media called him on it and waited for him to deny it and he went all Rick James and 'F your couch!'

"He says, "I was having an afterparty and put the lamp on my credit card. I don't give a damn.' I'm into the whole thing."