Next for Anderson Silva: Sonnen Rematch or Vitor Belfort?

[Mr. C]

Chael Sonnen dominated and grounded Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva at UFC 117 last night in Oakland, California for a majority of five rounds before Silva pulled out a submission with less than two minutes left on the clock.

UFC President Dana White acknowledged that last night’s finish could warrant another go between the two middleweights, although he wouldn’t commit to making it happen before Vitor Belfort gets his shot. Belfort was to meet Silva at UFC 112 in April, but withdrew with an injury and has since undergone surgery and recovery.

“It’s definitely a rematch people would want to see,” said White, referring to a slew of requests directly following the barnburner. “We’ll see what happens. Vitor’s waiting to fight right now too. We could do the rematch with Chael. We’ll see what happens.”

Sonnen should fight the winner of Marquardt/Palhares in January. Belfort should be next. No one who gets stopped deserves an immediate rematch. Dana has already said Belfort is up. Sonnen lost hands down. There’s no disputing it.

[HeartBreakMan2k]

I'm not a fan of immediate rematches, but the honest reality is that if the UFC wants to make money on the match, he has to fight Anderson next. If they wait, Anderson could lose/Chael could lose/Anderson could just dance around/whatever and the money is gone...

[Stickman]

LHW title fight.

[Funky Fly]

Vitor earned his shit but got sidlined by injury. Sonnen had his shot and didn't get it done. Hats off to Sonnen's performance (and I fucking hate the guy, so that says a lot right there) and I'm sure he'll get a rematch eventually, but right away is not the right call, IMO.

[HeartBreakMan2k]

Oh I agree, Chael doesn't really deserve the next shot. He put on a hell of a show but he lost. Vitor should be next, I just think if they're going to cash in on Sonnen then the only way to guarantee it is to give him the next shot. Not fair, but reality.

[The Mask]

think it should probably be vitor then sonnen. i think sonnen definitely deserves an automatic rematch though.

[Nark Order]

I'm just not a fan of the "immediate rematch" thing that's been big for awhile. Silva won cleanly with no controversy. Yes, he got hammered for 4 rounds but he got the W and he did it through his jui jitsu, not on a bullshit decision or anything. Yeah, I feel bad for Chael because he was so close but that's the nature of the game. In the end, you win or you lose. He lost.

And I hate Anderson Silva's fucking guts.

[The Mask]

yeah but there are gulfs starting to open between the champions and almost champions and anyone else. not a chance that sonnen should have to go through the same amount of work as say damien maia to get another shot.

bj penn deserved a rematch straight off because he has beaten everyone. rua deserved a rematch because for all intents and purposes he had won the first fight.

[Crimson]

Oh I agree, Chael doesn't really deserve the next shot. He put on a hell of a show but he lost. Vitor should be next, I just think if they're going to cash in on Sonnen then the only way to guarantee it is to give him the next shot. Not fair, but reality.

Agree. Belfort should be next but money talks.

[Jura]

http://l.yimg.com/a/i/ww/news/2010/08/07/fight-pd.jpg

[Mr. C]

Agree. Belfort should be next but money talks.

Belfort is legit.

[HeartBreakMan2k]

Belfort is legit.

Befort is very legit and a very real threat, but he's not a PPV seller and right now Chael Sonnen is.

[Mr. C]

Befort is very legit and a very real threat, but he's not a PPV seller and right now Chael Sonnen is.

You must be smoking rocks. I’d much rather see Silva vs. Belfort, two of the best strikers going at it. Belfort has always been dangerous on the feet and is solid on the ground.

[Crimson]

^^ Agree but the point is that Sonnen is hot right now in terms of being able to sell a rematch RIGHT NOW rather than down the road in a year or whatever.

They can't go wrong either way, i'd prefer Belfort but won't be up in arms if it's Sonnen again.

[Impact!]

I'd like to see Belfort win a fight at middleweight (in the UFC) before he gets a title fight tbh.

[The Naitch]

I'd rather see Belfort. I was pumped for their original fight at Dubai.

I think Belfort is a draw.

[Favre4Ever]

The thing is, I think if Chael doesn't get his rematch right now it will never happen. If Anderson fights Belfort and Chael has to work his way back up(winner of Miranda/Maia?), it's improbable that they'll both manage to win until Chael is the top contender again. In reality, I think this will come down to money. They money is there right now for Silva vs. Sonnen 2, and it might be not be there later, so I seriously think that Vitor is going to have to wait a little bit longer.

[ImpactPlayer365]

Id rather see a rematch right away, seeing that Chael dominated the best pound for pound fighter in the world. That has to stand for something, and he should get another shot to try and finish him. Not sure they will though seeing as rematches happen cause the fight went to decision previously. Maybe Chael should get a shot at whoever wins between Belfort v Silva. Which should be a good fight cause Belfort can finish with his fist.

[Inadequacy]

You shouldn't get a rematch after tapping out

[Mr. C]

Anderson Silva out until February/March 2011 due to injury | Fighter Trends - MMA Gear News & Reviews (http://www.fightertrends.com/mma-news/ufc/anderson-silva-out-until-febmarch-2011-due-to-rib-injury/)

Why not Chael Sonnen vs. Vitor Belfort on the same card as George St. Pierre vs. Josh Koscheck 2? This will give them enough time to set up Silva to fight by May and make enough time for Sonnen to rest.

[Jura]

http://www.fightertrends.com/gear/shirts/ufc-arianny-celeste-t-shirts/

[Mr. JL]

Sonnen - Belfort is a great fight.

Sonnen can prove that he deserves another shot at Silva.

Belfort should actually fight at middleweight before he gets a title shot and could use an additional fight to get rid of any ring rust before taking on the champion.

[Crimson]

Yea Sonnen/Belfort hopefully..i'll take that

[ImpactPlayer365]

Sounds good.