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UFC QUOTABLES: Ed Soares - "Chael Sonnen should fight Demain Maia first to determine who gets the next Title shot"
Feb 8, 2010 - 9:51:29 PM UFC QUOTABLES: Ed Soares - "Chael Sonnen should fight Demain Maia first to determine who gets the next Title shot"

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

"[W]e've spoken with Chael on many occasions and have the utmost respect for him. He's never really come across in this manner, and it's obvious he's just drumming up hype in hopes to get a bout with Anderson... We are fine if this is what the UFC wants, but if you look at this logistically, Sonnen should fight Demian Maia first. Demian beat up easily, by submission, so why not make them fight first, to determine who gets a shot at the title?.. [Chael's comments are] funny, but really, who actually listens to what Chael Sonnen has to say? The only time people listen is when he talks about Anderson. Who is he, really? If you walk down the street and you mention his name, does anyone really know who this guy is? Likely not, but if you mention Anderson Silva, people know the name... Chael's also said a few things about Anderson's choice of clothes and that he wears earrings, didn't he? Sounds to us like he may have a crush on Anderson."

-UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva's manager Ed Soares talks to Sportsnet.ca about Chael Sonnen's recent comments about Silva and his belief that Sonnen hasn't earned the Title shot yet in their eyes.

Penick's Analysis: This is starting to get ridiculous. Apparently there isn't a fighter on the planet worthy of stepping into the cage to face Silva for his Middleweight Title, at least according to Soares. Their refusal to fight either Dan Henderson or Nate Marquardt was a piece of the puzzle that led to Henderson leaving the UFC, and they didn't want to take the Belfort fight for the longest time as well. To say Sonnen needs to face Maia now is ridiculous after putting a beating on the fighter that knocked Maia out. Yes Maia defeated Sonnen, but Maia's not a fight away from a Title shot himself right now after the fight against Miller. If Silva simply wants the big money fights and only wants to fight name fighters that can give him a big payday that's one thing, but to completely disparage every possible challenger every time a new name comes up as a possibility is counter-productive and it's getting old. If they want these fights to sell and if Silva wants his fights to draw better they can't be telling fans everywhere that these challengers don't deserve to be fighting for the belt. That doesn't make people believe it could be competitive and it doesn't make people want to see those fights. It hurts Silva's drawing power and it's unnecessary.