Tag: UFC 148

Silva vs. Sonnen 2: Why It Was the Best Rematch in UFC History

The rematch between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen crossed an uncharted territory of greatness that will be remembered for generations to come.There have been plenty of legendary rematches throughout UFC history, but none have delivered the same amoun…

The rematch between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen crossed an uncharted territory of greatness that will be remembered for generations to come.

There have been plenty of legendary rematches throughout UFC history, but none have delivered the same amount of drama associated with the Silva and Sonnen feud.

Despite Silva’s otherworldly dominance, Sonnen was never afraid to stand up and openly challenge him to a fight. It was a bit awkward seeing Sonnen, a lifelong contender, call out and question perhaps the greatest champion MMA has ever seen.

UFC 117 set the foundation for the best rematch in UFC history.

Sonnen came into the first bout and did everything he said he would. He dominated Silva for 4.5 rounds before getting caught in a triangle choke late in the fifth round.

The dramatic conclusion combined with a great buildup had fans anticipating the rematch for two years.

Sonnen deserves the brunt of the credit for the Wrestlemania-like atmosphere concocted for the second fight.

Despite the two-year gap between the first fight and the rematch, there was never a break in hype. Sonnen constantly talked trash and called out Silva over the two-year span, which kept fans locked into the feud and elevated interest in a potential rematch.

The success of UFC 148 wasn’t something that happened over night. It was two years in the making.

The actual fight didn’t go as long as hoped, but it certainly wasn’t lacking in drama. Sonnen took the first round in convincing fashion, but in the second, Silva’s striking precision proved to be too much for the “Oregon Gangster.”

Love him or hate him, Sonnen did something right. From the weigh-ins to the actual fight, there has never been so much anticipation surrounding a fight card as there was around UFC 148.

With the gate money alone, the UFC could afford to buy everyone in the arena a medium rare steak, just the way Sonnen likes it.

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UFC 148: Chad Mendes Proved He Is Worthy of Title Rematch

Chad Mendes failed in his attempt to win the Featherweight Championship in January, but at UFC 148 he proved that he should get another chance.Mendes made quick work of opponent Cody McKenzie and was able to finish him off with a knockout in only 31 se…

Chad Mendes failed in his attempt to win the Featherweight Championship in January, but at UFC 148 he proved that he should get another chance.

Mendes made quick work of opponent Cody McKenzie and was able to finish him off with a knockout in only 31 seconds.

While McKenzie did not come into the match highly touted, the quick knockout showed just how dominant Mendes can be when he performs to his ability.

“Money” Mendes earned his title fight after winning the first 11 matches of his career. He earned seven unanimous decisions, received two submissions and two more knockouts. The more he won, the more it showed there were not too many better in the sport.

Unfortunately, the battle against Jose Aldo at UFC 142 did not last too long. The champ was able to knockout Mendes at the end of the first round with some brutal shots with the knee.

Fighters like Hatsu Hioki have stumbled in their path to get to Aldo. Other veterans deserve respect as quality fighters, like Pat Curran and Dennis Siver, but both have had positive and negative moments in their careers.

On the other hand, Mendes has continued to prove that he is one of the best in the division. He is still entering his prime and has plenty of great fighting ahead of him. 

His only career loss is to the current champion, and he should get another opportunity.

There are a few fights Mendes will have to win in order to get that chance, possibly against Chan Sun Jung or Ricardo Lamas, but sooner or later the talented fighter will get his hands on the belt.

 

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Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen: Retirement Shouldn’t Be on Sonnen’s Radar

Athletes are supposed to retire on a high note.After getting beat down by Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen couldn’t be lower right now. If The American Gangster hangs up the gloves before another bout, he’ll regret his decision without a doubt….

Athletes are supposed to retire on a high note.

After getting beat down by Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen couldn’t be lower right now. If The American Gangster hangs up the gloves before another bout, he’ll regret his decision without a doubt.

Sonnen talked a big game heading into UFC 148 but failed to back it up. While he got off to a phenomenal start, proving that he belonged in the octagon, The Spider was just too much.

Silva recorded a TKO in the second round. But as much as Sonnen’s critics are pushing for his retirement, the outcome of Saturday night’s match says far more about Silva’s greatness than Sonnen’s ability as a fighter.

Matt Erickson of the USA Today reported that UFC president Dana White talked about Sonnen’s domination of Silva in the first round of the fight. He said:

When Anderson has gone in the past against strong wrestlers, like Dan Henderson, that’s what the first round looked like—Chael got him. I said it before the fight and I’ll say it again—Chael, not only does he talk a mean game, he goes in and fights, man. He said he wasn’t afraid of Anderson Silva, and he went in and he fought Anderson Silva like he wasn’t. Anderson Silva came out in the second round and did what he did.

At this point in his career, Sonnen is far too talented to retire on a loss. Sure, he’s 35 years old, but he hasn’t lost a fight to anyone besides Silva since early 2009. He’s still 5-2 in his last seven fights.

If Sonnen is officially washed up, he should retire. But I don’t think anyone in the right mind would label him as such. Sonnen has a handful of strong fights left in him and should pick the right spot and retire on a note that will leave him with no regrets.

 

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.


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UFC 148 Results: Chael Sonnen Should Move to Light Heavyweight Following Loss

Chael Sonnen’s second bid at the UFC middleweight title came up short over the weekend, when the brash American suffered a knockout loss to rival Anderson Silva.While he could technically earn another title shot at middleweight, the time has come for h…

Chael Sonnen’s second bid at the UFC middleweight title came up short over the weekend, when the brash American suffered a knockout loss to rival Anderson Silva.

While he could technically earn another title shot at middleweight, the time has come for him to move on. Sonnen should now make a permanent home at 205 pounds. 

Sonnen is 35 years old. At his age, cutting weight is probably becoming more difficult and possibly taking a toll on his body. Although 35 is not old age by any means, in the fight world, it is.

Not only that, but Sonnen’s testosterone replacement therapy also probably makes cutting weight difficult. Should Sonnen move to 205, that would be 20 less pounds that he would need to cut. 

There are plenty of fights for Sonnen to take at light heavyweight. In fact, I am sure there is one big name that wouldn’t mind getting his hands on “The American Gangster.”

That man is Lyoto Machida.

In Chael’s seemingly never ending attack on Brazil, Machida’s name has come up several times. Sonnen even called out Machida at one point, bidding for a fight with the karate master.

I know there are a number of middleweights who would love a go with Sonnen. Michael Bisping most likely wants a rematch, Wanderlei Silva wants to kill Sonnen for what he said about Brazil and Vitor Belfort has stated he wants Chael one on one as well.

I am sure there are plenty of fans that want to see those fights, too. However, wouldn’t you love to see Sonnen fight Machida or Rashad Evans or Ryan Bader?

I know, for one, that I would.

It’s a new division for Sonnen, meaning there are plenty of opponents that he hasn’t tangoed with yet. The same can’t be said about the middleweight division, as Sonnen has already faced a good number of talent at 185.

What do you think? Comment below on what weight class you think Sonnen should fight in following UFC 148. I know I would love to see him fight Anderson one more time, but if it’s not to be, then 205 should become his new home.

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Anderson Silva: The 5 Greatest Threats to Take His Title

At UFC 148, in one of the most anticipated fights in MMA history, Anderson Silva silenced all his critics as well as all the Chael Sonnen fans as he finished his rival Sonnen by TKO in the second round.Silva is now 15-0 inside the Octagon and, honestly…

At UFC 148, in one of the most anticipated fights in MMA history, Anderson Silva silenced all his critics as well as all the Chael Sonnen fans as he finished his rival Sonnen by TKO in the second round.

Silva is now 15-0 inside the Octagon and, honestly, it’s hard to even question if he’s the best fighter of all time. 

Silva has said nothing about retirement and it appears he looks to stay in the middleweight division and defend his championship.

Here are the five men I believe could possibly threaten Anderson Silva at 185.

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UFC 148 Results: Memorable Quotes and Images from the Silva vs. Sonnen Card

On July 7, the UFC wrapped up “International Fight Week” with UFC 148, a fight card that was headlined by the much anticipated rematch between middleweight champion Anderson Silva and the man who could be looked upon as his arch-enemy, Chael Sonnen.Als…

On July 7, the UFC wrapped up “International Fight Week” with UFC 148, a fight card that was headlined by the much anticipated rematch between middleweight champion Anderson Silva and the man who could be looked upon as his arch-enemy, Chael Sonnen.

Also on the card was the final fight in the long and storied career of UFC Hall of Famer, Tito Ortiz.

In all 11 fights took place on Saturday night, and as with most fight cards, some fights delivered while some fell short of expectations. I could analyze every fight on the card, but by now you’ve surely gotten your fill of that type of article. Instead, I’ll take a brief look at most of the fights on the card and then provide quotes from the fighters involved.

What follows are memorable images and fighter quotes from UFC 148.

 

All quotes provided to B/R MMA via the UFC.

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