Anderson Silva is the most accomplished fighter in UFC history—that’s a well-known fact. However, Chael Sonnen is one of the few human beings on this planet with the tools and wherewithal to beat the reigning middleweight champion.
On August 7, 2010 at UFC 117, Sonnen did what no one thought was possible—he made Silva look marginal. For four-and-a-half rounds, Sonnen gave Silva the greatest challenge that he has ever seen inside the octagon. Of course, Silva reminded us why he’s considered the best fighter in the world by finding a way to win the fight in the final round with a triangle/armbar submission.
If you’re a fan of Sonnen, you probably feel Silva got “lucky” with his submission attempt in the waning moments of the fight. If you’re a fan of Silva, you probably feel Sonnen’s performance was a fluke, fueled by excessive testosterone. The truth probably lies somewhere between.
On July 7, we finally get to settle the score once and for all. If Sonnen wants to finish what he started in the first fight, he’s going to need a to have a great game plan and execute it with near perfection. Here are the keys to victory for Sonnen if he wants to become the new middleweight champion.