UFC
UFC NEWS: UFC 122 headliner Nate Marquart says Chael Sonnen exposed Anderson Silva at UFC 117
Nov 6, 2010 - 12:25:03 PM UFC NEWS: UFC 122 headliner Nate Marquart says Chael Sonnen exposed Anderson Silva at UFC 117

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

When Chael Sonnen took on Anderson Silva in August, he shocked MMA fans everywhere with a dominant display of control over the Champion for 23 minutes, and appeared to be well on his way to a decision win before getting submitted with a triangle choke in the fifth and final round.

The performance seemed to have broken down the mystique of the "untouchable" champion, but UFC 122 headliner Nate Marquardt said it only opened the media's eyes to things he's known for some time.

"It's been known to me for a long time that Anderson had holes in his game," Marquardt said during a UFC 122 conference call on Friday. "If anything, [Chael's success against Anderson] was more of an eye-opening event for the media because they put him on this pedestal like he was unbeatable."

Marquardt has fought and lost to both men in his career, and now is a victory away from a rematch with Silva. But he said Chael's performance effectively proved that Silva is not unbeatable, and that there are things that can be done against him.

"Chael was able to expose, obviously, that he’s susceptible to takedowns, susceptible to ground and pound, and even that if someone lands a punch on him, he can get wobbled," Marquardt stated. "If anything, it was more eye-opening for the media, not for me."

If Marquardt is able to defeat Yushin Okami next Saturday in Germany, he'll get his second crack at the UFC Middleweight Championship. He's ready and willing to fight either Silva or Vitor Belfort, whomever leaves UFC 126 the Champ, but he said he would prefer the rematch with "The Spider."

"For me the most important thing is to get the title fight and fight the Champion," Marquardt said. "That's my dream, to become the Champion, and it doesn't really matter who it is. But at the same time, I'd prefer it to be Silva because he's been the Champion for so long, and he's proven himself to be the top of the division."

Penick's Analysis: I'm sure there are a lot of fighters who have felt like they've known what needs to be done to defeat Anderson Silva, but time and time again the Champion has won his fights. Marquardt may well have the ability to get Silva to the ground much like Sonnen did, but it doesn't matter if you can get Silva down and keep him there, because as he's shown in the past, you might need to finish him or he'll find a way to pull out the win. If Marquardt gets past Okami, we'll find out what he's improved upon since his first fight with Silva.