Any Chael Sonnen fan who watched UFC 148 last Saturday was an extremely disappointed mma spectator. Not only did the fighter lose the fight by a second round TKO, but there were other questionable antics that took place by the Middleweight champion, Anderson Silva. Not only did Silva get called numerous times for pulling and holding onto Sonnen’s shorts, but before the fight began he had to be wiped down because he was reportedly greasing himself with Vaseline from his own face onto his chest and body. This does not sound like the sportsmanship and characteristics a true champion should possess. As if these accusations weren’t bad enough, there was a notably questionable knee done by Silva that ended the fight early in the second round.
In the UFC, it is illegal to knee a grounded opponent or an opponent with a knee on the ground. Sonnen had both knees on the ground; now comes Silva with a knee to what very much appears to be his face. Because this knee blow produced a TKO from Silva, it is very important to determine whether it was a knee to the face or to the body. If the knee is determined to have landed on Sonnen’s face, the fight could be changed to a no contest. Apparently, Dana White and other executives reviewed the fight and have determined it was in fact a knee to the body. In which case the ruling stands and Silva gets to keep his belt.
However, there is one man who immensely disagrees with the decision. Chael Sonnen’s coach, Scott McQuarry. He believes it was unfair and that there should be a rematch immediately between the two fighters. Sonnen has stated that what’s fair is fair and regardless of whether the knee was legal or not, he believes Silva still won. That is very respectable of him, considering the fact that he is accepting defeat regardless of whether or not it was legal according to the rules of the UFC. McQuarry has apparently already addressed this issue to the Nevada State Athletic Commission. He wishes to appeal the fight, and receive an automatic rematch for Sonnen. If this appeal does not work, then Sonnen is placed at the very bottom of the Middleweight contender list, and must once again work his way up to the top to even get a shot at Silva. Regardless of the outcome, one thing is for sure. In any sport or in life for that matter, it may not always before but you have to lose sometimes. You can’t always win. Make sure not to disrespect someone or their interests before a fight, because you will look moronic if you lose.
By: Elise Kapala