Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen fought twice contained in the octagon. Their trilogy match will happen contained in the boxing ring.
The 2 first fought at UFC 117 in August 2010. It was Silva’s eighth title protection and Sonnen dominated Silva for 22 minutes. Within the ultimate spherical, Silva locked on a triangle choke after being taken down and completed Sonnen pulling victory out of the clutches of defeat.
The 2 rematched two years later at UFC 148 in 2012. Silva stopped Sonnen within the second spherical. Regardless of Silva successful each bouts, their rivalry was one of many best within the promotion’s historical past.
As soon as the trilogy boxing match was signed, many questioned why Sonnen would comply with field the prolific striker. Sonnen answered the query on his YouTube channel.
“I’ve my very own private causes in opposition to Anderson and I’d think about they don’t seem to be even. I take into consideration that man for the final 12 years at each single day in some unspecified time in the future,” Sonnen stated. “I do not assume he thinks about tme. My expertise with Anderson is the only most vital piece of my profession. Whether or not meaning one thing to your or not, it was my profession, it means one thing to me and with out him it does not work.”
To Sonnen, accepting a boxing match in opposition to Silva was a no brainer. The principles don’t matter to Sonnen. The setting the struggle takes place in is not a priority. Sonnen merely will struggle Silva wherever, anytime and below any guidelines.
“There’s a code and both you may perceive it otherwise you will not,” Sonnen stated. “This is the reply to your query. If there may be ever a time that I’m respiratory air on this Earth and that man needs to struggle me, I have to struggle him. Not everyone. Not anyone. If that man ever asks me to struggle him, I have to struggle him, and also you both get that or you do not.”