Chael Sonnen rarely has to ask nicely for anything, but on Wednesday he made an impassioned plea on live television for a fight he’s been looking to land for some time, and he may just get his wish.
During Wednesday night’s episode of Fox Sports Live on Fox Sports 1, Sonnen appeared during an interview being conducted with UFC president Dana White and asked for his next fight, and even had a date in mind.
As Bleacher Report first reported earlier in the day, Sonnen is gunning for a fight against former Pride champion Wanderlei Silva, but there’s no better way to make sure a fight happens than to go directly to the boss:
“Dana, it is no secret that I am the biggest draw and the highest paid athlete in the UFC, and the only person that comes close to rivaling me is Georges St-Pierre,” Sonnen said. “As I see it, in November when he takes on Johny Hendricks live and in Las Vegas, tickets on sale now, he does not have a co-main event. I ask that you put me and Wanderlei Silva on that card.”
“I ask Dana White, my plea to you, please put this fight together.”
Sonnen and Silva have been circling one another like bulls just waiting to charge for the past few months, but the fight has never come together.
Now it seems like a certainty that Sonnen will meet Silva, but the timing is the key issue in this entire negotiation. According to White, from what he knows Silva is still coming back from an injury and may not be ready in time for UFC 167, which takes place on November 16 in Las Vegas.
If Silva is healthy, however, White assures Sonnen that the fight will come together for that date, and he will gladly put it as the co-featured bout alongside welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre as he defends his title against current top contender Johny Hendricks.
“I think that Wanderlei Silva is out until the beginning of the year,” White said. “So I’m not sure if he’s healthy, but if he’s healthy I will definitely make that fight, and I’ll definitely make it the co-main event.”
Now it just remains to be seen if Silva is healthy enough to take the fight against Sonnen at UFC 167. As of now, the Brazilian hasn’t made a statement about being able to take the fight on that date.
Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and all quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
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