MMA: Sonnen launches sleaziest of sledges at rival

MMA fighter Chael Sonnen is one of the game's great trash-talkers. 

But he stepped over a line when he delivered one of the sleaziest sledges to ever grace a pre-fight press conference. 

'The People's Champ' put himself on the spot when he asked upcoming opponent Tito Ortiz what he "did so well" ahead of their showdown at Bellator 170. 

"Well he talks well," Ortiz responded. 

"His mouth has gotten him ever big fight he's ever had. 

"And every time it's time to present, to perform, he's failed." 

But true to form, Sonnen wasn't about to let that needle go unchallenged, stepping up with a bizarre and lewd return of serve – even by his own standards. 

"The only person I know who made money using their mouth was his ex-wife," Sonnen said. 

"You're a f---ing punk dude," a half-laughing Ortiz responded. 

"That's what you call class?" Ortiz asked the waiting media. 

"Right here," he said pointing to himself before pointing to Sonnen. "Compared to no class." 

"That was a nasty line," Sonnen admitted jokingly while drinking in the laughter of some of the crowd. 

Barbs and sledges, no matter how sleazy, will be replaced by fists and choke-holds when the two meet in the main event of Bellator 170 on Saturday (US time).