UFC 136 Shaping Up Quite Nicely

[MoFo]

For the last couple of months, Chael Sonnen has been berating several Brazilian fighters through Twitter, taking most of his shots at Team Blackhouse and in particular Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida.

With his suspension from the California State Athletic Commission up, Sonnen told MMAFighting.com last weekend that he'd go up to 205 lbs. to face Machida in his return fight, and it appears the UFC may be making that fight a reality.

According to a report from Fighter's Only, a light heavyweight fight between the two is being targeted for UFC 136 in Houston in October, with verbal agreements in place. Additionally, Machida told Tatame.com that he'd sign on for that fight immediately if Sonnen wants it, and if the Fighter's Only report is accurate, the fight is all but signed.

UFC 136 could feature a Featherweight Championship bout between Jose Aldo and Kenny Florian in the main event, though nothing has yet been signed for the card.

http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish ... 9824.shtml


Good stuff, but was hoping for the Silva rematch :'(

[Next Big Thing]

Sonnen talks shit about Brazilian fighters because they're always choking his ass out. I honestly think Machida will smash him at 205. I'd rather see Sonnen v. Munoz or even a rematch with Maia.

[Crimson]

If Sonnen wins im sure he'll get his rematch with Silva.

[IC Champion]

Well we should know what kind of a chin Chael has. Chaels gonna shoot once or twice, Machida is going to shrug him aside and then rearrange the features of Mr Sonnens face.

[CSL]

It's Brian Stann

He’s back…

Chael Sonnen will return to the cage after more than a year away from the sport when MMA’s resident bad boy will face Top 10 fighter and Marine veteran Brian Stann at UFC 136 in Houston.

Sources close to the match-up confirmed the bout to MMAWeekly.com on Wednesday. Heavy.com first reported the booking.

Chael Sonnen (25-11-1) makes his return to action for the first time since his loss to UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva last August. Sonnen controlled the fight for virtually every second up until Silva pulled out a Hail Mary triangle choke to get the win.

Since that time, Sonnen has been embroiled in controversy including a suspension from the California State Athletic Commission and being sentenced on Federal money laundering charges in Oregon.

Now the UFC’s professed “most interesting man in the world” will get back to his real business, and that’s in the cage.

Welcoming Sonnen back to the UFC will be Marine veteran Brian Stann (11-3) who has rocketed into the top ten of the middleweight division with back-to-back wins over Chris Leben and Jorge Santiago.

The former WEC light heavyweight champion dropped down to 185 pounds after a loss to Phil Davis in the UFC, and since that time has gone undefeated at middleweight.

The winner of the fight between Sonnen and Stann will likely be a prime candidate to fight for the UFC middleweight title at some point down the road.

[Crimson]

Damn..it's a good fight but I don't think we'll get a fullblown Sonnen trashtalk mode. ah well

[MoFo]

Nah, knowing Sonnen he'll probably say he joined the Taliban or something just to get the heat :lol:

[CSL]

fuck it, just turn on America Sgt. Slaughter style, he can have Shieky baby and General Adnan corner him

[Next Big Thing]

Nah. I think Sonnen will be low key for this fight. He was surprisingly respectful in his interview with Helwani after Wandy got KOed.

[MoFo]

:lol: he wasnt so nice in his ESPN interview

"Wanderlei tells me that he's going to send me to the dentist. And I'm thinking, 'the receptionist generally sets those appointments, but if you know the phone number to my local dentist, I guess you could.' Then I'm thinking, 'Is he threatening me? I'm an American gangster, you are an immigrant from Brazil. Are you sure you want to go down this road with me? That's a threat?

"Hey Wanderlei, let me give you a threat. I will cut the power to your house and do a home invasion. You will hear me climbing up the stairs in a pair of night vision goggles I bought in the back of 'Solder of Fortune' magazine. The next thing you'll hear is me picking the lock of your bedroom door and taking a photograph of you in bed with the Nogueira brothers working on your jiu-jitsu. I will post said photograph at www.DorksFromBrazil.com with password: not required, username: not required.

"It's funny when Wanderlei says he's got to defend Brazil. Wanderlei's not popular in Brazil. Wanderlei, you are from Brazil stupid, you left it. You pay taxes in America. You started a business in America. You send your kids to an American school. You employ Americans. You were made a millionaire by an American company. If you love Brazil so much, why'd you leave it?

"It's because he doesn't and the Brazilian people know that. So this big gimmick that all these guys like Anderson and all these guys that talk Portuguese and pretend they're from there, what they like to do is act like, 'Oh, we're not Americanized, we haven't even learned English, but then they run their businesses in complete English as they're taking your dollar and your mastercard. But on video they act like they haven't taken the time to learn English and it's phoney. Those Brazilians are all phoney and they suck."

[Next Big Thing]

He definitely says some mean/borderline racist shit in his trash talk, but when he got interviewed literally right after Wanderlei got KOed he was real respectful. I think Chael's just a master at hyping his fights and wearing the black hat when necessary.

Shit Chael Sonnen Tweets:

"Machida is not a bad guy; he's a victim of the Brazilian education system. There are better ways to get electrolytes than drinking piss."

"Cro Cop is a relic, a reminder from the old days. A museum of ancient victories isn't worth a nickel today, not even in his native currency."

"Don't get me wrong; Cro Cop was a good fighter back in the day. I would have told him myself, but I was 2."

"If it wasn't for me, you would be thrashing around the jungle w/a blowgun trying' to catch breakfast."

[CSL]

dunno, Sonnen's trash talking is always so daft/ridiculous/slapstick I don't see how anybody including his opponent would take it remotely serious. Guys like Bisping, Hardy, Mir etc on the other hand seem to truly get under people's skin and generate a buzz with the hyping/trash talking

[IC Champion]

Classic heel vs face.

[OssMan]

samichna rumored for UFC 136

[Krimzon7]

Damn..it's a good fight but I don't think we'll get a fullblown Sonnen trashtalk mode. ah well

Seriously disagree here. I think Chael will trash talk the Pope. And I'm sure Dana has instructed him to bring it. I'm surprised he's not clamoring for Wandy.

[Krimzon7]

:lol: he wasnt so nice in his ESPN interview

I fucking love this character. if only Vince could channel a talent like this

[Krimzon7]

THRASHING AROUND A JUNGLE??? He has to have writers. Fucking brilliance!

[The Mask]

Seriously disagree here. I think Chael will trash talk the Pope. And I'm sure Dana has instructed him to bring it. I'm surprised he's not clamoring for Wandy.

wanderlei is bottom of the pile now, sonnen is pretty much in line for an anderson silva rematch if he beats stann i think.

[RP]

I can seriously see Stann pummeling Sonnen

[Jura]

I see Sonnen having to work his way up and earn that rematch with Silva because of what happened.

[Krimzon7]

I can seriously see Stann pummeling Sonnen

Chael has shown that he can take a punch. Triangles, however, are a different 'horror' story....SEE WHAT I DID THERE?

[Krimzon7]

I see Sonnen having to work his way up and earn that rematch with Silva because of what happened.

Interesting, if by work, you mean beat Stann, then the TUF coach winner, then yeah...you're right

[IC Champion]

CHael Sonnen Interview.

http://video.aol.com/aolvideo/aol-sports/chael-sonnen-backstage/1041225706001

[IC Champion]

The best part is when he appears genuinely amazed that they have computers in Brazil.

[Innovator]

He started so calmly too.

[Innovator]

I just watched it again, Chael Sonnen is awesome on a lot of levels.

[McLegend]

I need some more Chael Sonnen in my life.

[Crimson]

lol honestly he was outta control in that one..poor Ariel

[Next Big Thing]

He definitely got into character for that interview. Apparently he's going to take the high road for the fight with Stann:

"I ask Brazil for a fight, and Machida answers. I ask for a REAL fight, and a Marine steps up. I see you hiding Lyoto, and I won't forget this."

[CSL]

lol the '8 second' stuff in that interview. Not like he tapped out or anything. Guy is slapstick.

[IC Champion]

I know, makes me wonder if he just says it to say it, or if he's truly crazy and believes it.

[Next Big Thing]

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Vu9vCdsFUBc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

It's a character me thinks. Think about it, Chael isn't a particularly exciting fighter. The nut medicine he was taking probably helped him make the Marquardt and Silva fights more exciting bouts. Without it, they probably would have been his usual lay on the guy until the bell. The trash talk keeps him relevant and even makes him seem like he's a better middleweight fighter than he really is. What he said in this interview seems like a more genuine Chael, but if he was like that all the time no one would care about him.

As ridiculous as his trash talking is, I do like it for the most part.

[IC Champion]

He certainly fits the mold of the trash talking wrestler, but he's just taken it all to a new level in MMA.

[weather vane]

Chael is the fucking best.

[Innovator]

lol the '8 second' stuff in that interview. Not like he tapped out or anything. Guy is slapstick.

Erroneous to his ranting. Let's not get things like facts and tapping out in the way of some entertainment.

[Krimzon7]

The best part is when he appears genuinely amazed that they have computers in Brazil.

One Nog was trying to feed the bus a carrot, the other was PETTING IT! They have computers?

So will you be in Rio?

Absolutely

[Krimzon7]

Joe Rogan was the biggest influence in getting sonnen licensed. He cited Job Security as a reason!

[Next Big Thing]

Edgar v. Maynard
Aldo v. Florian
Guillard v. Lauzon

On paper this card looks like it could be pretty exciting. Not sure Lauzon moves Guillard closer to a title shot though.

[CSL]

I'd say he's pretty much there, especially if he wins this but with Henderson/Miller coming up and Clay Guida existing/on a roll, maybe not. Isn't the winner of Henderson/Miller getting the next shot or did I imagine that? Maybe we see the winner of that fight against Maynard/Edgar with Guillard fighting Guida should he beat Lauzon. Not to mention Gilbert Melendez's inevitable UFC move. Lightweight is fun atm.

[Next Big Thing]

155 is definitely the deepest division right now in my opinion.

If Henderson beats Miller, I think Dana would have to then do Guida/Henderson before Benson gets a title shot considering Guida would hold a win over the last guy to beat Henderson. As a result of an outcome like that, I think Melvin would be given the nod to be number 1 contender if he beat Lauzon.

If Miller wins, I wouldn't be surprised if he got an outright title shot.

I don't think Dana has much faith in Clay Guida as a legit threat to the champion right now, otherwise he would have named Guida next in line. I feel like a Guida/Siver match up is next with Melvin fighting the winner of that fight assuming Miller beats Henderson and is named number 1 contender.

[IC Champion]

It may be the deepest, but is it the most intriguing division?

[IC Champion]

And Jim Miller will wreck Henderson. I don't care about anyone else, Miller derserves the title shot.

The worst thing to happen would be if Miller and Gulliard both lost, we are right back to where we started, unless you really think Guida is a contender.

[Next Big Thing]

I think it's pretty intriguing. GSP and Anderson dominate their divisions. Heavyweight is really thin. LHW seems like it's going to be Jon Jones' for awhile as much as I would love to see Rampage get a win over him. I honestly don't know enough about the rosters at 145 and 135 divisions other than Dustin Poirier being the fucking man to really get amped up for anything but the championship fights in those divisions.

It seems like 155 has six or seven guys who could legitimately beat each other for the title and when you throw in the possibility of Gil making the jump it gets even more exciting.

[Krimzon7]

It may be the deepest, but is it the most intriguing division?

Well said. And is it the deepest? OR is it the most clusterfucked because of rematches/injuries?

[Next Big Thing]

This agreeing with each other and shit needs to stop.

[Krimzon7]

This agreeing with each other and shit needs to stop.

You're right:rant:

[Krimzon7]

I don't want Guida anywhere near my damn ppv main event.

[The Show Off]

Gulliard should be fighting someone with better standing than Lauzon... Don't get me wrong Lauzon is a ta;ented fighter but Gulliard should be fighting in a title eliminator by now.

[weather vane]

Chael Sonnen vs Brian Stann should be miiiiint

[Kris P Lettus]

I think a Guida/Gulliard fight would be Fight of the Night on any card..

[sptaz]

Chael Sonnen vs Brian Stann should be miiiiint

Absolutely!! This should be one of the best fights in a while. I honestly don't know what to expect as far as an outcome.

[Innovator]

Really intrigued by Sonnen/Stann

[CSL]

this is great

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DK3_q3RQAWU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Funky Fly]

Good ass ad. Dude, Saturday is gonna be sick for me. 4 of us at work are changing jobs on the same day (today) and everyone's throwing us a going away party with part one being the fights. Part 2 is bar hopping, part 3 is a house party. Gonna be hungover as fuck for Thanksgiving dinner.

[Kris P Lettus]

That ad was good..

My boy Vinny is going to this fight, that lucky bastard..

:(

[Next Big Thing]

Good ass ad. Dude, Saturday is gonna be sick for me. 4 of us at work are changing jobs on the same day (today) and everyone's throwing us a going away party with part one being the fights. Part 2 is bar hopping, part 3 is a house party. Gonna be hungover as fuck for Thanksgiving dinner.

This is why I love the 9 P.M. start time. UFC is the perfect pregame before going out. Boxing is ass backwards. They don't promote anyone on the undercard so there's no real motivation to watch them and the main event doesn't start till 11:30.

[CSL]

Facebook fights just started, Steve Cantwell, Joey Beltran, Aaron Simpson all fighting

[Next Big Thing]

If you played a drinking game based on how many times Mike Goldberg repeated the same "fighter bio facts/tidbits" during a fight, you'd probably end up black out drunk two fights into the event.

[Crimson]

Maia's fights bore me

[Crimson]

I think Stann might pull it off tonight..have a feeling, although I want Sonnenn to win just for a rematch with Silva

[CSL]

holy shitttt Joe Lauzon

[Next Big Thing]

DAMN!

[Next Big Thing]

Really hope they do Nate Diaz vs. Joe Lauzon. That would be a good fight.

[CSL]

lolll Rashad looking dapper in his expensive suit and we zoom out to reveal Forrest who could have just been working in his garden

[What Would Kevin Do?]

Come on Nam. Nam is definitely the better fighter, I'd hate to see him go home.

[CSL]

Leonard Garcia appears to not believe in putting his hands up

[Next Big Thing]

I love Leonard Garcia.

[Next Big Thing]

Neither of these guys should get cut after this one.

[What Would Kevin Do?]

YES!!!!

[Crimson]

lol wow..they should just put these two on every card.

[Crimson]

against each other

[What Would Kevin Do?]

Neither of these guys should get cut after this one.

Seriously.

I know it's not a "big fight", but I'd love to see these two main event a show just so they get 5 rounds. I want a 5 round fight between these two.

Also, I love JoRo interviewing both of them.

[owenbrown]

at a bar watching this the first two main card fights were awesome

[Next Big Thing]

Chael is looking beastly.

[Crimson]

Love Chael's pace

[Crimson]

Stupid crowd was booing so the ref stood em up

[Crimson]

yeaaaaaaa

[Crimson]

WOW Sonnen haha

[CSL]

lol Sir Charles and Silva sitting together is a before and after tele-ad

[What Would Kevin Do?]

Come on KenFlo.

Also, Sonnen is trying to turn UFC into WWE, come on bro.

[Next Big Thing]

Sonnen is out of his mind. Fuck Silva/Henderson. After that performance, they need to do Silva/Sonnen. Let the trash talk begin, again.

The whole loser leaves town thing is pro wrestling-ish though.

[Crimson]

It's a one way stipulation on the Sonnen/Silva rematch..I dont think Silva will leave the division but I think Sonnen retires if he loses

[Crimson]

Come on KenFlo.

Also, Sonnen is trying to turn UFC into WWE, come on bro.

It's great because it's real

[Next Big Thing]

Sonnen is brilliant. As ridiculous as a statement that may be, it's going to have every writer and MMA fan talking about him and wanting the fight happen.

[Crimson]

Exactly

[Savio]

Damn missed the Sonnen fight

[What Would Kevin Do?]

Jesus fucking Christ Florian.

[What Would Kevin Do?]

Why is it Florian looks great in all his non-title fights (not counting Maynard), and looks like utter shit in title fights? Dear god.

[CSL]

in his title fights, he comes up against real world class fighters ;)

[What Would Kevin Do?]

in his title fights, he comes up against real world class fighters ;)

You know, I would buy that if he didn't fight totally differently. It was like he fought a certain way until his title fight with BJ Penn, then he started that "I'm going to hold you against the cage bullshit. He lost, went back, got schooled by Maynard, cut weight, looked decent in his last fight (but didn't strike as much), and this fight went back to holding him up against the cage. He just seems to say "Hey, it's a title fight, I don't need to strike anymore."

I dunno.

[What Would Kevin Do?]

Anyway, if the cut to featherweight was tough for him, the cut to Bantamweight is going to kill him.

[What Would Kevin Do?]

BREAKING NEWS: Kenny Florian says he's switching gender and going to make a run at Miesha Tate next

[What Would Kevin Do?]

Are they showing a replay of the first fight?

[What Would Kevin Do?]

Jesus Christ Frankie. If your plan is to break his hand with your nose, it's going to work.

[CSL]

if Frankie comes out and turns this around, he is the fucking man

[CSL]

he's the fucking man already for getting out of that round but you NAWMEAN

[What Would Kevin Do?]

HOLY SHIT!!!

[What Would Kevin Do?]

HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!!

WOW!!!

[CSL]

FUCKING AV IT

[Next Big Thing]

Gotta love Frankie Edgar. Edgar/Melendez. Make the fight Dana.

[CSL]

Gray still has no idea wtf just happened

[Next Big Thing]

They might have to put Gray on suicide watch. Especially since he damn near had Frankie in that first round.

[What Would Kevin Do?]

Not only did he survive that brutal first round, he actually came back and finished... I knew Frankie had the conditioning, but I didn't know he had that finish in him.

[What Would Kevin Do?]

Fight of the Night: Phan vs. Garcia.
Submission: Joe Lauzon.
KO: Frankie Edgar.

Also, while not officially confirmed, the big rumor going around is that Florian will retire.

[Innovator]

FRANKIE!

[Next Big Thing]

There really is nothing for Florian now. He'd be last in line if he went back up to 155 and I don't think gatekeeper at 145 is how he pictured things ending for him.

[NoJabbaNoBogRoll]

I love Chael Sonnen.

[Kris P Lettus]

Sad about Melvin but happy with all the rest of the fights..

[Kris P Lettus]

Oh, and Showtime really impressed me with his grappling.. Did not expect that..

[Jura]

Frankie has good footwork and technique. He also seems to have good conditioning. He came out of that first round supercharged like nothing happened and kept that up for the next 3 rounds.

[St. Jimmy]

It's great because it's real

You keep believing that, champ. ;)

[Jura]

So if Diaz beats Penn, he gets GSP? And if Penn beats Diaz does he get GSP one more time or is something else in the works?

[Crimson]

Not sure about Penn getting another shot with GSP..but Diaz for sure would

[Kris P Lettus]

Diaz had the shot at GSP but missed some press conferences and official UFC events so he gets Penn..

[Jura]

I don't know how that helps.

[Kris P Lettus]

The way you asked was like Diaz wouldn't deserve a shot even if he beat Penn.. I was clarifying that he was already deserving in White and Silva's eyes..

[Jura]

Okay, I got you.

How many more fighters do you guys think Sonnen has to go through to get Silva again?

[Kris P Lettus]

I think he should get the fight right now..

He seemed to think he had it on Super Bowl weekend in Vegas..

[Next Big Thing]

I agree. They need to do this fight as soon as possible. There is no one at 185 who is a bigger challenge to Anderson than Chael.