CageJunkies Choice: UFC 148 – Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen
This Saturday Anderson Silva will enter the cage against Chael Sonnen for the first time in almost two years. In their first encounter at UFC 117, Sonnen had the upper-hand for the first four rounds, but succumbed to a Silva triangle armbar at the 3:10 mark of round number five. Will this fight end with Anderson Silva remaining the UFC’s middleweight champion or will Chael Sonnen emerge the new standard-bearer for the division? Find out what the CageJunkies think below:
Yayo – Chael Sonnen - It has to end sooner or later. For as great as Anderson Silva is, every unbeatable force in sports eventually gets exposed for not being able to live up to it’s own legend. In MMA the most recent example was Fedor Emelianenko who was the greatest fighter in the world until Fabricio Werdum submitted him by triangle armbar. The last time Silva fought Chael Sonnen, it was the latter who took the fight to the ‘Spider’ for most of five rounds. Sonnen plans to give Silva more of the same, and Silva almost two years older and constantly rumored to be battling nagging injuries, won’t have enough gas in the tank to last.
Steve Solar- Anderson Silva - I really don’t expect the fight to be as good as all the hype leading up to it. Chael fought a somewhat unmotivated Anderson Silva the first time out, and Silva also had a rib injury. I think it’s also going to really depend on which Chael Sonnen shows up for this fight. If the Chael Sonnen who fought Michael Bisping shows up for this fight, he’s going to have a really short night. If the Sonnen who fought Silva the first time shows up, he’s obviously going to have a much better chance. Anderson is a very intelligent fighter, and he won’t make the same mistakes he made in the first fight. I see Silva finishing this fight in the 2nd round.
Neil Rooke – Anderson Silva - History is not going to repeat itself. Whilst many would think that Anderson’s great run must come to an end sooner rather than later I don’t see Silva taking this loss lying down. There is legitimate (well as legitimate as it can be) hatred between these two. Silva is going to go into this one with so much aggression and so much passion that he will not be able to lose. Sometimes that aggression can be a bad thing but when you have the skills of The Spider it’s a dangerous combination. I wouldn’t expect this one to go the distance and I think we will see a highlight reel knockout from The Spider.
Charles McCarthy – Anderson Silva - Chael Sonnen looked unbelievable though came up short in his last title shot vs Anderson Silva. He looked lackluster in his narrow victory over Michael Bisping. I think Anderson will come in with a point to prove and will look to embarrass Sonnen. I expect to see Silva close this bout out inside of three rounds.
Jim Masciantonio – Anderson Silva - I truly believe that Chael has the ability to beat Silva if he can avoid prolonged exchanges on the feet. He is one of, if not the best MMA wrestler in the game. When Chael closes the distance for a takedown there are few men on the planet who wouldn’t end up on their back. That being said I still don’t see this one going Chael’s way. I predict a 1st round KO for Silva who will be out to silence critics and prove why he is widely considered the best pound for pound fighter on the planet.
Ajit Punij – Anderson Silva - Chael Sonnen has undoubtedly sparked a huge fire in Anderson Silva. With his crazy precision and defense, I think Silva can defend against Chael’s takedowns better this time around, and give Chael problems when he tries to shoot. I think Silva will be able to end this fight within 3 rounds this time.
Derrik Putzel – Anderson Silva - While I want Chael to win (the interviews that would follow would be epic) I see this as Anderson’s last big win. He’s fired up and seems genuinely pissed. Chael may have succeeded in getting into Silva’s head I see this working more for the Spider than the American Gangster. It will be a fight we won’t soon forget and it will end with the Champion defending his crown.
There you have it, outside of Yayo, everyone has Anderson Silva beating Chael Sonnen in this return bout. Enjoy the fights and if you happen to be in South Florida, come party with the CageJunkies at the Quarterdeck Plantation!
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