Chael Sonnen Challenges Anderson Silva, Says He’ll Leave UFC if He Loses

Fighting in the UFC for the first time since losing to Anderson Silva at UFC 117 last August, a fight where he contested Silva but later tested positive for performance-enhancers, Chael Sonnen worked Brian Stann before submitting him with an arm triangle choke in the second round. Sonnen’s work in the octagon was impressive, but it was his post-fight interview that provided the most entertainment.

Asked by Joe Rogan how happy he was with his performance, Sonnen turned his attention to Anderson Silva, who was in the audience.

“Anderson Silva, you absolutely suck!” Sonnen declared. “Super Bowl weekend, the biggest rematch in the history of the business.

“I’m calling you out Silva,” he said “but we’re upping the stakes.

“I beat you, you leave the division. You beat me, I will leave the UFC forever.”

Nobody actually believes that Sonnen will leave the UFC if he loses. The man will say just about anything in the name of publicity. But that doesn’t make his post-fight speech any less entertaining.

There are very few fighters who pose a challenge to Anderson Silva, and Chael Sonnen is one of them. It’s a fight fans want to see again, and the urgency for a rematch has been expedited after Sonnen’s call out.

He may be brash, quirky, and a cheat, but he has a style that makes Silva uncomfortable. I’m ready for a rematch, as I’m sure you are.