UFC
Dana White: Chael Sonnen still has big fights left in the UFC after second Anderson Silva loss
Jul 20, 2012 - 3:00:01 PM Dana White: Chael Sonnen still has big fights left in the UFC after second Anderson Silva loss

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Though Chael Sonnen has lost twice to Anderson Silva, his time in big featured fights isn't at an end. UFC President Dana White said as much at the UFC 149 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, saying the UFC still plans to feature him moving forward.

"Hell yeah, he [has big fights left]," White responded when asked (via MMAJunkie.com). "He's the only one to ever challenge Anderson Silva."

That doesn't necessarily mean he'll work his way back to a third fight with Silva, though. Having lost two title fights already may make it harder for the UFC to sell a third fight between the two, a fact not lost on anyone.

"I never say, 'never,' " White said. "I mean, anything is possible, but he beat him twice. It's tough to do a rubber match when the guy is 2-0 on you."

Still, Sonnen's got options in both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions, not to mention the outside the cage options opening up to him.

"He's got a lot of options," White said. "Fox loves this guy. He's going to end up with a television deal."

Penick's Analysis: Sonnen's certainly got a future second-career in broadcasting as an MMA analyst, but he doesn't need to be done as a fighter yet. It's hard to say he'll get another shot in the middleweight division, though the business brought in by their rematch certainly helps his cause, but with him considering a move to light heavyweight, that's where his best options may lie. He's got to figure out which path he wants to begin walking down, then make a decision.

[Chael Sonnen art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]