Not too many people are particularly fond of Chael Sonnen.
The former UFC title challenger has a quick silver tongue, which has since severed any ties with Brazilians after several disparaging remarks against the country and it’s people. Vitor Belfort is no different.
In his last outing, the former UFC light heavyweight champion successfully bounced back from a middleweight title loss to his former teammate Anderson Silva, with a first-round blitz of PRIDE veteran Yoshihiro Akiyama, knocking out the Japanese Judoka in less than two-minutes.
The victory was impressive to say the least, but now Belfort is making the case for himself to once again challenge his fellow countryman for the promotion’s 185-pound title.
“I think I’m one of the most interesting guys to challenge Anderson Silva, there’s no doubt about that”, said the Xtreme Couture product in an interview with Spencer Lazara of MMA Interviews.
“He knows in his mind that I’m a threat for him. He knows I can knock him out.”
Sonnen is most remembered for his incredible five-round drubbing of the aforementioned Silva, who managed to snatch a late rally triangle choke in the fifth and final stanza.
The match earned both men “Fight of the Night” honors at UFC 117 in August of last year. Sonnen was originally expected to rematch the Brazilian straight away, though a subsequent suspension handed down by the California State Athletic Commission—due to elevated levels of testosterone—and personal issues left him out of action until recently.
Now the outspoken middleweight will be taking on Brian Stann come this October, in what is likely to be a No. 1 contender’s match, which is something that “The Phenom” clearly takes opposition to.
“But if they want to give (the title shot) to Chael Sonnen—Chael Sonnen has his moment and I think he’s the only guy that deserves to fight Anderson Silva at the moment. But besides him, I think I deserve a rematch. Chael Sonnen is a very boring fighter. He doesn’t knock people out, but he can wrestle you and if you don’t know the jiu-jitsu game, you’ll be in trouble with him.”
Belfort may have chosen the wrong enemy. Setting your sights on Sonnen, in a war of words at that, can be likened to putting six bullets in a six barrel chambered gun, playing Russian Roulette—you won’t like your odds.
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