While it was obvious that Chael Sonnen was back with bad intentions after beating down Brian Stann and eventually choking him out, his words after the fight spoke volumes about his intentions.
Anderson Silva, you absolutely suck. Super Bowl weekend, the biggest rematch in the history of the business. I’m calling you out Silva, but we’re upping the stakes. I beat you, you leave the (185 lbs.) Division. You beat me, I will leave the UFC forever.
Sonnen has never been one to mince words, but his newfound swagger after all of the turmoil he faced in the UFC and in his personal life are greater than anyone could’ve expected.
For those who don’t remember, Sonnen fought Anderson Silva and dominated for most of the fight before falling into a choke and eventually tapping out.
After the fight, Sonnen tested positive for steroids and was suspended for a year (reduced to six months). During his time off he pleaded guilty and received two years probation for money laundering.
While all of the turmoil has drummed up more hype for a possible second fight between Sonnen and Silva, Sonnen has made it abundantly clear that he is back in the UFC for one reason.
Ariel Helwani of MMAfighting.com interviewed Sonnen after his fight on Saturday night:
Is that camera big enough to take in the largest arm in Westland, Oregon that has found its way to Houston, Texas? Because that thing looks a little bit small. I’m not here to be just one of the guys, I have plenty of money and plenty of fame. I’m after 12 pounds of gold and that’s it.
Silva has never been a man that backed down from a fight, and if Sonnen wants this fight bad enough, Dana White and the people of the UFC will make it happen.
With the hype that Sonnen created by calling out the champion after the fight, this fight could draw in the kind of numbers that make the UFC’s pockets that much fatter.
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