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Chael Sonnen Admires Champion Anderson Silva, Brazilian Fans after UFC 148 Loss

The Chael Sonnen who taunted Anderson Silva for the better part of two years has left the building, at least for the time being.

Previously channeling the role of unapologetic antagonist in the lead-up to his rematch with the middleweight champion at UFC 148, Sonnen finally gave “The Spider” his due after falling by technical knockout in Saturday night's main event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Sonnen had previously taken Silva to the brink of defeat in 2010 before he was submitted with a last-minute triangle choke at UFC 117. Sonnen appeared to once again be on the right track in the first round of the rematch, immediately taking Silva to the mat and gradually passing to half-guard. The Oregonian eventually slipped into mount, the dominant position in which he would end the frame.

Despite the fortuitous start, however, Sonnen would not escape the second round. After pressing Silva against the cage early, Sonnen whiffed on a spinning backfist that took him off balance and left him seated against the cage. With no hesitation, Silva planted a devastating knee directly into Sonnen's chest. Though the former Oregon Duck would manage to regain his vertical base, Silva sent him back to the mat shortly thereafter with a flurry of punches and continued to drop bombs until referee Yves Lavigne halted the bout.

Despite acquitting himself well in both meetings with Silva before making critical errors, Sonnen says he does not take any consolation from putting the champion in more trouble than anyone else has in Silva's six-year UFC career.

“It's pass or fail when you're in [the Octagon],” Sonnen said at the post-fight press conference. “You either get it done, or you don't. I was handed a lot of compliments after the first fight, and I'm going, 'Jeez, that's nice, but did you see who won the fight? I didn't win.' [Silva is] just a another regular guy. We weigh the same thing, and he finds a way to win. I admire it.”

Though some fans took offense to Sonnen's use of pro-wrestling inspired promos to hype Saturday's rematch, the results are tough to deny, as the UFC reportedly set a new live gate record in the United States. Though Sonnen stoked the coals of contempt from some fans for his words leading up to the contest, the middleweight appeared to bury the hatchet with Silva after the bout.

“That's the way you deal with combat,” Sonnen said of the post-fight handshake he shared with Silva. “You always leave it in the cage or on the mat. Those are the rules, and I follow them. That was great that he [shook my hand]. It was very nice of him.”

In addition to speaking highly of his opponent, Sonnen also applauded the dedication and support shown toward the champion by his fans in Brazil.

“The Brazilian fans have it down right. They back their guy. America is the only country in the world where we don't do that, and that's fine, but I really admire the Brazilian fans,” said Sonnen. “That includes when I'm getting booed on the way in. I should be getting booed when I'm taking on their guy.”

While it is unclear exactly where this loss leaves Sonnen, the middleweight contender says that he will always be gunning for another crack at winning the title.

“I really believe that if you're going to be in this company and take up a spot, then you've got to be chasing a championship,” said Sonnen. “There are plenty of young guys who could come in and get their opportunity. I got my chance, and then I got it again. I'm not going to ask for anything. I'm grateful for it, but I will not hang around for one day to blend in. It's either to be the world champ or I'll move on and do something else.”

UFC 148's Chael Sonnen on loss to Anderson Silva: 'The better guy won tonight' | MMAjunkie.com

LAS VEGAS – After weeks ... months ... years of brash talk from Chael Sonnen toward Anderson Silva, the two-time UFC middleweight title challenger on Saturday night had some of his talk tempered.

Sonnen was stopped by Silva in the main event of UFC 148 in Las Vegas in the heated rivals' rematch Saturday night.

But after a dust-up between the two at Tuesday's pre-fight news conference, and another one at Friday's weigh-ins, both fighters were – perhaps surprisingly – cordial to each other, with Silva even inviting Sonnen to come to a Brazilian barbecue at his house.

After the loss, which had Sonnen (28-12-1 MMA, 6-5 UFC) dominating the first round before falling prey to a Silva (30-4 MMA, 15-0 UFC) knee to the body on the ground and subsequent punches, Sonnen told MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) he was beaten by a superior fighter. But he remained playful when it came to the matter of what will happen next for him.

"Well, I'm going to get my aunt a lobster tail, I'm going to take a shower and I'm going to hopefully get a good night's sleep," Sonnen told MMAjunkie.com at the post-event news conference. "I thought it was very nice of him [to invite me to a barbecue]. It's very important when you lose a fight that you don't say things like, 'My opponent was better tonight.' The better guy wins every time. The better guy won tonight."

UFC president Dana White said seeing Sonnen dominate the champion in the first round came as no surprise.

"When Anderson has gone in the past against strong wrestlers, like Dan Henderson, that's what the first round looked like – Chael got him," White said. "I said it before the fight and I'll say it again – Chael, not only does he talk a mean game, he goes in and fights, man. He said he wasn't afraid of Anderson Silva, and he went in and he fought Anderson Silva like he wasn't. Anderson Silva came out in the second round and did what he did.

"I said this before and I've said this again: He's the greatest fighter in the history of mixed martial arts."

Sonnen said he'll have to assess his performance later.

"You're always trying to work on your skills," Sonnen said. "But we're in the middle of the battle. There's some parts that felt really good, and some parts that really hurt – including the end. I'm always trying to find that good shot that can change the fight and start to wear a guy down and think twice, and I wasn't able to find it."

[Ashy Larry]

Danas right about sonnen backing up his talk. I feel as though many fighters who enter the cage with Anderson are doing their best to simply survive as long as possible and not get embarrassed. Sonnen brought the fight to Anderson both times.

[optimusjoel]

I laughed so hard when a reporter asked if he would go to Brazil to have a BBQ with Anderson, he said he was starving and would love some Brazilian BBQ as long as it's.... medium rare

[Lesnar_FTW]

Chael and Dana are wrong though, Fedor is still the greatest ever in my opinion.

[optimusjoel]

Originally Posted by Lesnar_FTW

Chael and Dana are wrong though, Fedor is still the greatest ever in my opinion.

Won't matter in a few years jds or bones will be claiming that spot.

[tucker50]

Originally Posted by optimusjoel

Won't matter in a few years jds or bones will be claiming that spot.

Anderson has 10 title defenses. JDS has 1, Bones has 2. The odds of them coming close to what Anderson has done are not good.

Props to Chael for taking the loss the right way.

[FedortheCan]

Originally Posted by tucker50

Anderson has 10 title defenses. JDS has 1, Bones has 2. The odds of them coming close to what Anderson has done are not good.

Props to Chael for taking the loss the right way.

While I agree it would be harder for JDS to make that accomplishment at heavyweight... hate to burst your bubble, but if Jones stays at LHW, he is destroying what Anderson did. Jones is only 24 years old and look at the people he has run through already on his way to the top.

[macewen]

Originally Posted by FedortheCan

While I agree it would be harder for JDS to make that accomplishment at heavyweight... hate to burst your bubble, but if Jones stays at LHW, he is destroying what Anderson did. Jones is only 24 years old and look at the people he has run through already on his way to the top.

Look how quick jones came up...who's to say there won't be someone better, come just as quick?

[rspier]

Only time can tell how long a champion will reign, they are judged on accomplishments and not potential... Ask Vitor Belfort. Hahaha

[Slippin]

Originally Posted by optimusjoel

Won't matter in a few years jds or bones will be claiming that spot.

Slow your row there.. Jones looks way more impressive than JDS IMO