Brian Stann and Chael Sonnen will square off in one of the most anticipated bouts of the year at UFC 136 in Houston, Texas on Saturday, October 8th.
The winner will move on and face the world’s greatest fighter and UFC middleweight champion, Anderson Silva.
As both Stann and Sonnen have prepared for the opportunity to be the No. 1 contender, something has been missing:
Sonnen hasn’t said a word.
As we’ve seen in his preparation for previous bouts, Sonnen hasn’t been the least bit shy in announcing how he’s felt about his opponents. And, while many fans have been in shock of Sonnen’s silence, Stann’s not the slightest bit surprised.
In the UFC 136 Conference Call, Stann stated,
“I told everyone from the start I didn’t think it was going to happen. I believe Chael is very genuine when he says that, when he has a problem with someone he will speak it, when he doesn’t he won’t…
“It wasn’t surprising to me at all when that didn’t happen and I also wouldn’t have taken it personal anyway. I really believe our skill sets and the way we fight has generated all the hype it needs.”
While Sonnen has been nearly speechless leading up to their bout, he hasn’t hesitated from referring to himself as the middleweight champion of the world.
While this may be misleading to fans across the globe, Stann understands Sonnen’s mindset.
“I take it as a fighter who is mentally preparing himself to win a world title. If you constantly think and talk like you’re a champion, you feel like you’re a champion, then you go out there and fight like a champion”
Since entering the UFC in April of 2009, Stann has posted a mediocre 2-2 record in light heavyweight bouts. Knowing a change must be made, Stann dropped to the 185 weight class and began his career in the Middleweight division. He went on to win three consecutive fights via two technical knockouts and submission by arm triangle choke.
Stann has finally felt he is at the peak of his career and had much to say regarding his success.
“What happens in fighting is early in my career I had a very, very limited skill set. But, I was comfortable so I could fight at 100 miles per hour. Then when you go somewhere and your introduced to 1,000 different skills, you become okay at all of them.”
“Now, your trying to do way too much in the cage and now your fighting at 70 miles per hour. It took me some time but, when I began to get comfortable at all these new skills I began to fight at 100 miles per hour again.”
While a win over Stann would certainly give Sonnen his much desired rematch against Silva, he’s not necessarily looking forward to fighting Stann.
Sonnen was quoted by stating, “Nobody wants to fight Brian Stann.“
In regards to Sonnen’s respect, Stann stated,
“Coming from Chael who’s career leads back to when I was in high school, it means a lot. We’re talking about a guy who’s fought in all the major organizations, who’s fought everybody.”
“If he says something he means it, So it means a lot to me.”
A win over Sonnen would also mean a lot to Stann, as he will have earned his first shot at the UFC middleweight championship.
Stann ended by simply stating, “I’m ready”
Ready or not, here comes Brian Stann.
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