Chael Sonnen grabbed the mic from Joe Rogan and calls out Anderson Silva after tapping out Iraqi war hero Brian Stann.

Written by

Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

Even before Chael Sonnen choked out Iraqi war hero Brian Stann in UFC 136, fans have clamored for a rematch between him and Middleweight champ Anderson Silva. Sonnen took the mic from Joe Rogan and said, “Anderson Silva you absolutely suck!”

Chael's speech wiped the smile off Silva's face who was at ringside.

Thousands cheered in the sold out Toyota Center in Houston Texas last Saturday, October 8, 2011. “Superbowl weekend is the biggest rematch in the history of the business. I’m calling you out, this is something the world expects. I beat you, you leave the division. You beat me I will leave the UFC forever.” Those words hung in the air and everyone’s minds. Silva was watching front row, his trademark smile turned into a somber grimace after the challenge.

Sir Charles Barkley was sitting right beside Silva, trying to laugh off the tense situation. The Round Mound of Rebound started quite a few fights during his NBA career.

 Sonnen dominated the whole fight that was touted as “The American Hero vs the American Rebel”. Stann initially stuffed takedown attempts but the clinches eventually wore him down. Once Stan was on the ground, it was very difficult to defend against Sonnen’s ground and pound. Sharp elbows followed heavy punches.

Chael rains down blows on Stann from the top.

Stann could not get Sonnen off his back.

By the second round Sonnen scored a quick double leg takedown. Following boos from a restless crowd the ref stood them up after less than a minute on the ground. Then in a clinch Sonnen grabs a hold of him and gets a body slam which weakens Stann.

Chael lifts Stann for a body slam.

They land with Sonnen in side control. But instead of more ground and pound, he deftly locked in an arm triangle. Stann made the correct defense using his right arm to create enough breathing space. But the hold was so tight and Sonnen’s strength was so crushing Stann had to tap out.

Chael locks in an arm triangle and gets tap out in spite of Stann's correct defense.

Sonnen’s coach Matt Lindland called it precisely during an interview in the pre-fight show ‘Countdown to UFC136’, “His wrestling is his weakness, that’s where Chael is really strong.  Stan has submission skills and stops takedowns. But can he stop Chael’s takedowns? I don’t think so.”

Brian Stann's extreme close up from the Countdown to UFC 136.

Stann was actually favored to win the fight after consecutive victories over Mike Massenzio, KO wins on Chris Leben, and Jorge Santiago. Stann had a better stand up game and had proven his one punch knock out power. According to UFC sportscaster Mike Goldberg, “Brian Stan was awarded the Silver Star medal in March 2006 for bravery in combat during Operation Matador in Iraq. All 42 of his men made it home.”

Brian Stann is an Iraqi war vet who has consecutive KO wins in the UFC.

Chael who is known for trash talking had tremendous amount of respect for his opponent, “You gotta understand this is a guy who went into enemy territory at 120 degrees (Celsius). He then put on an 80lbs pack and a gun and literally took on a tank! A bunch of tanks! I couldn’t do anything to make him sweat one little bead.”

Sonnen did not trash talk the way he did with his Silva fight. The closest thing Chael got was, “Brian Stan’s a great American. He loves the USA, I love the USA. Right now he’s gonna get a red, white and blue ass whipping!”

Chael didn't trash talk in his fight against Stann the way he did with Silva.

The call for the rematch with Silva stemmed from their exciting fight last August 2010. Chael dominated each of the 4 rounds, scoring multiple takedowns. No other fighter had controlled Silva that way who had not lost since 2006. Silva has had the most title defenses and has been UFC Middleweight champ for 5 years with 14 consecutive wins. By the fourth round Silva looked like a defeated man weary from Sonnen’s relentless ground and pound. Until his limber legs took a hold of Chael’s neck for a split second opportunity and gains a triangle hold.

The tap out was so quick that even after Silva released Sonnen, he still kept on punching asking the ref why the fight was stopped. But in the slo-mo replay it was crystal clear, Chael tapped out. The frustration is understandable. No one gave Sonnen a chance against Silva but he was only minutes away from stealing the belt.

Chael beat up Silva for 4 rounds, til the quick leg lock by Silva that finished the fight.

Also in the ‘Countdown to UFC 136’ he says, “I don’t know what happened in this fight. I beat up Anderson and he got his hand raised. In some parallel universe if you hit a guy 300 times and he wraps his leg around your head for 8 seconds they declare him the winner. He can have his title I’m the best. I was the best performer in there and I’m the best right now.”

Nam Phan Gets Revenge on Leonard Garcia

Nam Phan avenges his December loss from Leonard Garcia last December 2010 by winning a decision (28-29 on all cards). It was an exciting fight that went back and forth much like the previous fight. But this time Phan was more motivated to win, in spite of Garcia fighting in front of his home state ofTexas. The December fight was the first aired featherweight match for the UFC.

Nam Phan has better boxing skills which outscored Garcia's more powerful but less accurate punches.

Phan had more accurate and frequent punches showing more polished boxing skills. Joe Rogan described it as, “Half power punches with more volume…Garcia just threw 2 wild haymakers that missed. Nam Phan throws it Nate Diaz style. It’s almost a curse that Leonard has so much power.” Phan earned a knockdown in the first round and also got points with takedown through out the fight. Garcia however staggered Phan late in the third with a flurry of punches. Phan recovered and still got a takedown which sealed the decision

Phan was disliked by his teammates during his stint in The Ultimate Fighter 12. But based on their pro fights I believe he has more potential than the TUF 12 winner Jonathan Brookins. Phan has a better stand up game and is more exciting to watch. Phan to me looks like a Filipino because he has Vietnamese heritage. He is a black belt in both Karate and Jiu Jitsu.

During the post fight interview Garcia admitted, “I knew I had him in trouble but he gathered so many punches aginst me in the beginning I knew if I didn’t finish him I’d probably lose by decision.  ManHoustonI love you guys! One of these days I’m gonna win one in front of you guys!” Mike Goldberg said later on “That was like Rocky and Apollo there’s not gona be a rematch.” The furious exchange of punches between them earned fight of the night. It’s the second time Garcia won it the precious one being his loss against Chang Sun Jun. Garcia lives at the Tap out Ranch with best friend Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone who will be fighting Dennis Siver on UFC 137 October 29, 2011.

During the interview with Joe Rogan Garcia wanted a 3rd fight with Phan.