"[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.
This is dumb. At least the Marquardt-Henderson fight made sense because 1.
people would want to see that fight, and 2. both had already gotten a shot.
Even though getting both of those rematches would've been fine, it at least
made sense Marquardt fight Henderson to see who would get the rematch. This
doesn't make any sense.
mike
09 Feb 2010, 10:32
Soares is mostly right. Chaels recent performances clearly hasn't proven
he's a title contender. He just got beat not too long ago. The only
reason why he was in title contention with marquardt was because silva was
injured and they wanted to kill time, just like Mir/Carwin. And I Silva is
so dominant that marquart/henderson, two people he ALREADY beat, have to
fight each other for who gets their rematch. I don't want to see rematches
from non-competitive fights.
Nick C.
09 Feb 2010, 14:15
Chael has won three in a row, including a convincing victory over the guy
who Silva himself called the future of the division (Marquardt) and a guy
who Anderson technically has a loss to (Okami...I know I'm stretching it
with that one). Sonnen is a worthy contender who has never fought Anderson
and who has made the fight marketable due to his comments regarding Silva.
Make the damn fight already. Who cares what Soares has to say? He's a
manager, not a fight promoter.
Nick C.
09 Feb 2010, 14:21
If nothing else, as a fan, it would be refreshing to see somebody challenge
Silva who isn't in complete awe of him and fights like he has already been
beaten. I'd give Sonnen a (small) chance at a decision partially due to
his superior wrestling game, but mostly because he actually seems to
believe in himself. For better or worse, I could see Sonnen actually
taking the fight to Silva, unlike Griffin, Cote, and Leites who looked like
beaten men from the opening bell.
Jared
09 Feb 2010, 18:46
"And I Silva is so dominant that marquart/henderson, two people he ALREADY
beat, have to fight each other for who gets their rematch. I don't want to
see rematches from non-competitive fights."
Exactly, which is why Soares comments about Marquardt Henderson made sense.
But Sonnen-Maia isn't a case of people fighting who were already beat.
Sonnen beat the no. 2 guy in the division. Facing anyone but Silva would be
a step down.
jason
13 Feb 2010, 23:56
Soares can say what he wants. Yet even he says they will fight who ever the
UFC tells Silva to fight. So his opinions are just opinions. Where does the
wrirer get his information about Dan Henderson leaving cuz Silva would not
fight him? This statement is B.S. Silva alreaddy beat Dan convincingly.
Silva is not afraid of nobody and does not turn down fights. Dan is a good
fighter but he left cuz Dana would'nt cash him out like Strikeforce was
willing to do. UFC champs fight who they're told to fight homie.
Jared
14 Feb 2010, 05:18
"Where does the wrirer get his information about Dan Henderson leaving cuz
Silva would not fight him?"
It was reported that Silva wanted Henderson and Marquardt to fight to
determine the no. 1 contender (even though Henderson had technically earned
it at 100). Silva didn't want to rematch both, so he wanted them to fight
to see which one would get a rematch. So yes, he did turn down the fight.
