Chael Sonnen pulled no punches when he said perennial UFC 185-pound titlist Anderson Silva and the former “Baddest Man on the Planet” Mike Tyson were nothing short of bullies.
Furthermore, “Uncle Chael” intimated that if he were ever to attain the status of champion, he wouldn’t want to be a fake champion like Tyson nor have the comfort of protection, which he believes the erstwhile undisputed heavyweight titlist was afforded throughout his career.
From Sonnen, originally reported by the LA Times (h/t MMAMania.com).
I don’t want to be protected and remembered as a fake champion like Mike Tyson, who was called the best, even though he couldn’t beat either Evander Holyfield or Lennox Lewis. I don’t want to be the chosen child. I don’t need my name in lights. I need a competition. If there’s one thing I don’t like in life, it’s bullies. I was picked on as a kid. The UFC can give me anyone they want. I will stand or fail on my own … If I was a bully or a coward, I could’ve been undefeated. I fought the No. 1 guy in the world six times. I’ve fought 14 guys in the top 10, and beat 12 of them. If you want to take an easy path, you can. They do that in boxing, which is a phony sport, because they keep the best guys away from each other. I’m not a bully who picks on people I know I can beat, like Anderson has done.
In the most eagerly anticipated fight in the history of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). The main event of UFC 148 will see the ex-realtor once again vie for “The Spider’s” coveted championship belt.
Their first encounter was back at UFC 117, where Sonnen, for almost the entirety of the bout, gave the Brazilian native all he could handle and more.
However, three-minutes into the fifth and final round, Silva locked in a triangle armbar, forcing Sonnen to tap and thus leaving his hopes of UFC glory in tatters.
It was a dead-cert that if Sonnen (27-11- MMA, 6-4 UFC) had been phlegmatic in those few minutes, he would’ve usurped the crown from Silva’s grasp.
That said, on July 7, at the MGM Grand Las Vegas Nev., the opportunity presents itself once again for the loquacious one.
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