KIDWCKED
08-05-2010, 09:54 PM
c/p from Tsn by the Canadien Press.
It's time to stop talking and start fighting for Chael Sonnen.
After weeks of verbally poking UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, the outspoken 33-year-old from Oregon steps into the cage Saturday night to back up the trash-talking at UFC 117 (available on pay-per-view).
Sonnen, predictably, sees that as no problem and has plenty to say on the matter.
"Well I'm the toughest guy in the company, period, whether it's Anderson or any other opponent," he told a recent media conference call. "There's never been a guy with earrings that can out-tough me and he's not going to be the first."
Despite Sonnen's smack talk -- and recent impressive performances -- the mercurial Silva is a 7-1 favourite in some quarters to win at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif.
To put it simply, Sonnen has been good recently while Silva has won but looked bad. Throw in the challenger's trash-talking and you have some fancy dressing on a predictable meal.
Some might say don't let the extra croutons deceive you.
Sonnen, whatever he says, is stepping up in class. He may be a hard-nosed wrestler who has taken down some 185-pound pretenders but Silva is the middleweight title-holder -- so good, he can win on a bad day.
Still more than a few fans may be hoping for some smackdown for an enigmatic champion who has frittered away much of his appeal with three straight titles defences that seemed to show little enthusiasm for the task.
And Sonnen (26-10-1 including 4-3 in the UFC) has proved to be a promoter's tonic for a title fight with a champion who has shown little inclination to break a sweat recently.
The challenger has single-handedly talked up the fight. Now it's time to see if Sonnen can walk the walk. Or whether his mouth has awakened a sleeping giant.
It's time to stop talking and start fighting for Chael Sonnen.
After weeks of verbally poking UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, the outspoken 33-year-old from Oregon steps into the cage Saturday night to back up the trash-talking at UFC 117 (available on pay-per-view).
Sonnen, predictably, sees that as no problem and has plenty to say on the matter.
"Well I'm the toughest guy in the company, period, whether it's Anderson or any other opponent," he told a recent media conference call. "There's never been a guy with earrings that can out-tough me and he's not going to be the first."
Despite Sonnen's smack talk -- and recent impressive performances -- the mercurial Silva is a 7-1 favourite in some quarters to win at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif.
To put it simply, Sonnen has been good recently while Silva has won but looked bad. Throw in the challenger's trash-talking and you have some fancy dressing on a predictable meal.
Some might say don't let the extra croutons deceive you.
Sonnen, whatever he says, is stepping up in class. He may be a hard-nosed wrestler who has taken down some 185-pound pretenders but Silva is the middleweight title-holder -- so good, he can win on a bad day.
Still more than a few fans may be hoping for some smackdown for an enigmatic champion who has frittered away much of his appeal with three straight titles defences that seemed to show little enthusiasm for the task.
And Sonnen (26-10-1 including 4-3 in the UFC) has proved to be a promoter's tonic for a title fight with a champion who has shown little inclination to break a sweat recently.
The challenger has single-handedly talked up the fight. Now it's time to see if Sonnen can walk the walk. Or whether his mouth has awakened a sleeping giant.