After a fourteen month absence from the Octagon, former UFC middleweight contender Chael Sonnen (26-11-1) showed Saturday night, that he is still the No. 1 fighter to challenge for the 185 lb title.
Sonnen faced Brian Stann on the main card of UFC 136 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Sonnen wasted little time in taking the fight too the ground and began imposing his will on the former Marine right from the onset. Stann was able to survive the first round, but found himself on the wrong side of an arm-triangle choke submission halfway through the second and was unable to find a way out. Stann was forced to tap ending the bout at 3:51.
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan was eager to speak to Sonnen, expecting some entertaining speech from the winner, especially with Anderson Silva in the audience. Sonnen did not disappoint.
“Anderson Silva, you absolutely suck! Super Bowl weekend will be the biggest rematch in the history of this business. I’m calling you out, but we’re upping the stakes: I beat you, you leave the division. You beat me, I will leave the UFC … forever.”
With that, Sonnen walked out of the Octagon. The cameras panned over to Silva who simply smiled and put his hand over his mouth to mock a snicker.
I guess fans will have to wait and see what UFC President Dana White has to say about this one.