MMA SuperFight Weekend: Silva vs Sonnen II


Carlos Cinco

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

On Saturday night, July 30 in Las Vegas, the UFC’s Pound-for-Pound #1 best in the world Anderson “The Spider” Silva goes up against the brash and arrogant yet equally as dangerous Chael Sonnen for a much-awaited a rematch.

NO PUSHOVER. Chael Sonnen trains for the next bout with UFC's pound-for-pound No. 1 best in the world, Anderson Silva. AFP photo

SINGAPORE – Who needs Pacquiao-Mayweather when you can have the Mixed Martial Arts equivalent of that minus all the divaness of pre-fight negotations?

If there’s something that the UFC can do better than boxing on any given day, it’s the ability to pit the best fighters against each other. 

Case in point: Next Saturday night, July 7 (Sunday morning MLA time) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the UFC’s Pound-for-Pound #1 best in the world Anderson “The Spider” Silva goes up against the brash and arrogant yet equally as dangerous Chael Sonnen in a rematch of their first fight which ended by a come-from-behind win for Silva via triangle choke.

The first time they met, Sonnen dominated the first four rounds and handed Silva the worst beating of his career. No one expected Silva to be manhandled as easily as he was by Sonnen, and it was a true and total destruction.

Sonnen took Silva down at will and pounded on him from the guard position for nearly the entire fight. During times when they were on their feet, where Silva enjoyed a striking advantage, Sonnen suprisingly got the better of the exchanges and was beating the undefeated champion at his own game.

In the fifth and final round however, Sonnen experienced what was a costly mental lapse and saw himself trapped suddenly in a triangle choke with no escape but by tap out. Sonnen was moments away from what would have been perhaps the greatest upset in MMA history and all he had to do was hold on.

Instead, he tapped out with just 1:50 left in the final stanza and The Spider escaped with the victory in what proved to be Silva’s toughest fight ever in the UFC.

Much-awaited

A grudge match was inevitable but Sonnen was suspended for an extended period of time after failing post-fight drug tests.

Now, the much awaited rematch is upon us and it promises fireworks! If it’s anything like their first fight, MMA fans are in for a treat.

Anderson Silva is known as the most dangerous striker in the mixed martial arts scene today. With a wide array of punches, kicks, elbows and knees in his arsenal, he could explode at any moment and end the match abruptly and violently – and that’s what fans pay to see.

He’s 13-0 and undefeated in the UFC and is currently the Middleweight Champion of the World.

Chael Sonnen is no pushover either. He’s a very capable wrestler and a decorated collegiate athlete. They say the only type of fighter which would concievably be able to defeat Silva is a solid, strong wrestler and that’s what Chael Sonnen is.

He’s a workman who will shoot at you and take you down by his own willpower and determination, and keep you there to pound on. Subsequently, he’s ranked as the #2 Middleweight in the world by popular MMA site Sherdog, right behind Silva.

Sonnen’s ground and pound strategy worked wonders in his first fight against Silva, and it’s hard to imagine him deviating from that approach given the success he’s had with it in the past.

Fired up

The fight is rife with drama and backstory.

All the elements to make it a good sell are there. Sonnen is one of the loudest trash talking athletes in the world, in any sport and his personality is a gem for media and publicity. He’s berated Silva’s home country of Brazil, his family, friends, discipline and skills over and over again, and the normally quiet Silva will have none of it.

The unusually outspoken Brazillian prefers to let actions speak louder than words inside the ring, but it seems the American has gotten under his skin a little bit. Silva can’t wait to tear Sonnen to pieces and the world simply can’t wait to watch him do it.

“When I started training martial arts I learned about respect. Sonnen doesn’t know martial arts. He’s a wrestler, he doesn’t know how to respect people. Some say he’s promoting the fight, but he disrespected my country, my family, and fans. Some people say things without really knowing and they think it’s awesome. He did it all, but he didn’t do the most important thing which was defeating me” said Silva in a recent interview.

“Yes I did (disrespect you and your country),” agreed Sonnen. “And you didn’t do a damn thing. … I am going to destroy him. Our skills are not even close. … I am not going to talk respect like this guy. I’m going to ask what is the date and whose ass am I going to whip tonight?” replied the brash American.

Much criticism has been thrown towards Silva’s way, often citing how he wasn’t getting pumped up for fights which were “too easy” for him, resulting in lackluster performances.

But make no mistake about it, Silva is definitely fired up for this one.

All-out war

The soft spoken P4P champ usually skips pre-fight jabbering but had much to say about how he will destroy Sonnen next weekend.

“Chael Sonnen’s going to get his (expletive) kicked like he’s never done before.What I’m going to do inside the Octagon is going to change the image of the sport.” Silva said through manager and interpreter Ed Soares.

“I’m going to break his arms, legs; he’s not going to be able to walk out of the Octagon by himself. I’m going to make him eat everything he said about our country. I’m going to make him pay, and make sure he never disrespects any fighter (again). I am going to beat him maybe the way his parents should have beat him. I’m going to beat him like he’s never been beat before.”

If there has ever been any doubt whether Silva still gets fired up for fights, it’s certainly a non-issue now.

Anderson Silva is too fast and too powerful for Chael Sonnen. In their first meeting, Sonnen caught Silva on an off-night and perhaps Silva was surprised at Sonnen’s ability to match him in the stand up game.

But things will be different in this rematch.

Look for Silva to re-establish his dominance in striking, using his advanced Muay Thai and Boxing skills to pounce on a tough Chael Sonnen. In the end, Silva will do what he said he will do and that’s give Sonnen the beating of his life.

If the fight goes to the ground, expect a more focused Silva with a better grip on Sonnen’s guard. Sonnen’s limited and one-dimensional wrestling abilities will be exposed by the more dynamic and far more advanced Brazillian Jiu Jiutsu of Anderson Silva.

It’s going to be an all-out war from start to finish – a fight fan’s dream come true. – Rappler.com

 

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