After taking the submission victory over Brian Stann at this weekend’s UFC 136, Chael Sonnen has his sights clearly set on UFC Middleweight champion Anderson Silva‘s belt.
Out over a year since his UFC 117 bout with the champion, Sonnen came back better than ever. Controlling Stann with his superior wrestling, Sonnen dominated from the top as he rained down blows before ending the fight with an arm triangle choke.
After the fight, Sonnen told commentator Joe Rogan that he wants Silva—badly—and vows to leave the UFC if he loses in a rematch.
If Sonnen wants to make his self-proclaimed championship tangible, he will have to improve certain aspects of his game that cost him the title last year.
The biggest hole in Sonnen’s game has always been his submission defense.
Almost all of his losses have come against better Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners that effectively use their guard to attack from the bottom. Sonnen’s top control is exploited as his wrestling background actually hurts him in the top guard.
In his fight with Silva at UFC 117, the last ditch triangle-armbar sank in because Sonnen’s smothering style does not create the space needed to escape a position like that.
In his bout with Demian Maia at UFC 95, Sonnen’s inability to defend against submissions is what allowed Maia to obtain a triangle choke in the first round.
If Sonnen can sure up this aspect of his grappling game, then it will be very hard for Silva to work on the ground, as Sonnen’s wrestling will probably keep him on top if the fight goes to the canvas.
It is imperative that Sonnen smothers Silva with his strength and wrestling if he wants to take the title.
Grinding away at the champion was a perfect strategy in the first fight, coming within seconds of taking the belt. As long as Sonnen stays on top, throws some ground-and-pound, and smothers Silva, then winning the title this time around should be possible.
Standing up, Sonnen showed that he can hang with Silva in their first bout, although Silva was suffering from an injury to his ribcage.
In a second meeting, Sonnen would be wise to not try and strike with the champion too much. Using combinations to set-up his takedowns is the smartest option for the challenger.
Sonnen has never been knocked out, but Silva’s amazing kicks and powerful punches should make the challenger weary to stand and trade.
Out of all the middleweights in MMA, Sonnen has the best shot at dethroning the champion. If he can implement his game plan and avoid the submissions, then the UFC might have a new top dog at middleweight.
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