He wasn’t in the main-event or even the co-headliner, but Chael Sonnen will be the one making headlines coming out of UFC 136. It wasn’t what he did, but what he said about Anderson Silva that has the entire world of MMA buzzing.
Chael Sonnen returned after a 14 month layoff with a dominating win over Brian Stann. Sonnen overwhelmed Stann with vicious ground and pound for a round and a half. Sonnen closed the distance for most of the fight and took away Stann’s standup game. Stann did get a nasty shot in on Sonnen in the second round, but it wasn’t enough. Sonnen caught him with an arm-triangle for the tap out at 3:51 of the second round.
[adinserter block=”2″]The fireworks took place after the match and this was something to be seen. Joe Rogan interviewed Chael who started the interview by saying, “Anderson Silva, you suck!” Silva was sitting in the crowd and smiling. Chael then challenged Silva to a rematch on the Super Bowl weekend UFC event. But wait, it gets better…much better!
Sonnen said that he wanted to up the stakes. Sonnen said that if he wins, Silva would leave the middleweight division forever. Sonnen then said that if Silva wins, Sonnen will leave the UFC forever. The crowd went absolutely nuts. I am not a big Chael Sonnen fan but it was an awesome moment. Silva didn’t seem too concerned, but this is something that can be big…very big.
“Anderson Silva, you absolutely suck. Super Bowl, weekend, the biggest weekend but we’re upping the stakes. I beat you, you leave the division. You beat me, I will leave the UFC forever.”
The rematch itself would be huge thanks to their classic first fight and Chael’s promos. But putting the pro wrestling spin on it will take it to a whole different level. This is the first of its kind and I think it will push this fight past UFC 100 for the biggest buyrate of all time. Now keep in mind Anderson Silva hasn’t accepted yet. Additionally, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Dana White move away from the stipulations not wanting to turn the UFC into the WWE. Yet if he is smart, he goes for it.
The only drawback with this is that it is Chael Sonnen. The guy has been a proven liar. He can say whatever he wants, but he was just on the radio last week denying he even lost the fight to Anderson Silva the first time. Sure, Chael can go into retirement a very rich man with the kind of pay day that this fight will bring and honor the stipulation.
[adinserter block=”1″]However, I find it hard to believe that Chael would honor the stipulation if he lost. It would put Dana White and the UFC in a rough position. Do they enforce the stipulation if Chael loses and lose one of their biggest drawing cards? Do they force Anderson Silva out of the division if he loses? This is going to be a tough one for the UFC to put together but if it happens under those stipulations, I think it becomes the biggest fight in the history of the promotion.
Anderson Silva’s next opponent is still up in the air. Dana White recently said that he wanted to make a Silva vs. Dan Henderson rematch if Silva was healthy. White also said that Henderson would be in line for a title shot if he wins his fight at UFC 139. Can Dana White really pass up this gigantic money fight for a Henderson vs. Silva rematch? I guess we’ll find out soon enough.
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What happens if Sonnen fails another drug test? Because he cheats. He cheats in MMA. I mean, if he won before the results were finished would they both be out? Would they both be in? Or would Chael be taunted for being a cheater because that's what he is?
That is a great question. I actually left something very key out of the blog as well. Chael is making this challenge for Vegas. He still has issues in California with his license. I dont even think Vegas would book him with those outstanding issues. And if he goes to get relicensed and they say no, then Vegas def won't book him. Tricky situation.
Will the UFC go up against superbowl weekend?
They have been doing it annually. They'll go Sat, SB Sunday.