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"[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.
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"There's still a large contingent of people, that they just want to see these guys almost die, or the other guy almost die and come back, and sometimes fights are like that. Certainly they are. But sometimes you get technical masterpieces too, and to hate a beautiful, technical fight - you're not really a fight fan...
Diaz has a granite chin, possesses perhaps the best recovery in the sport, his pace and conditioning are second to none and he sets records with the volume of his punches almost every time he steps into the cage. Nick Diaz is simply designed to fight the way he fights, and not many other fighters are...
"There was a lot of poison going on around there and I'm really disappointed because we had a good thing going. It was a good thing and I think people's egos got in the way. Well, not people just Javier, his ego got in the way, and too many cameras in the gym and him trying to build himself up and his brand, his AKA brand...
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