Chael Sonnen is fired up and laser-focused for his upcoming third clash with rival Anderson Silva. This time, however, they’ll be trading mixed martial arts gloves for boxing ones, but Sonnen assures everyone the intensity remains the same.
Despite facing a legend known for his striking prowess, Sonnen isn’t fazed by the switch in rules. He views this as a serious fight, not a celebratory send-off for Silva.
“Who cares about the rules?” Sonnen said during a Sao Paulo workout. “I never followed them anyway! I fought him twice, I ‘cheated’ him twice, and now he thinks I’ll be nice? They can call it boxing, but I’m still going to try and damage him.”
Their history is well-documented. Sonnen nearly pulled off an upset at UFC 117, only to fall to a fifth-round choke. Their rematch at UFC 148 also ended in Silva’s favor via TKO. Both fights were major events, etching themselves into the careers of both men.
However, Sonnen hasn’t won a fight since 2018, while Silva has enjoyed some success in professional boxing. This has made Sonnen the clear underdog, with oddsmakers heavily favoring Silva.
Sonnen, ever the provocateur, embraces this underdog status and readily throws playful jabs at Brazil, a tactic he’s known for.
“They picked me for a reason,” Sonnen said. “They think it’s an easy win. But I’m not here to be respectful or forget the past. This is a fight, and the first rule is to cause damage. Silva invited me to his supposed retirement party, and I’m supposed to be grateful? We’re here to fight!”
While a Sonnen victory would be a massive upset, he’s not entering the ring with a desperate gamble. He acknowledges the need for a different approach compared to their previous encounters.
“This time, patience is key,” Sonnen revealed. “I won’t try to knock him out with brute force. In the MMA fights, I rushed in because I didn’t want to be in his striking range. But this time, with bigger gloves, I can be more composed. I won’t pressure him like before; that didn’t work.”
Can Sonnen defy the odds and finally conquer his nemesis in the boxing ring? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: he’s determined to prove everyone wrong.
