Title contender Chael Sonnen will be looking to end the momentum build by former Marine Brian Stann at UFC 136 in Houston With the announcement of the matchup between middleweight contenders Chael Sonnen and Brian Stann as the co-main event for UFC 136, two very important questions were answered: who would be Sonnen's next opponent, and whether the UFC could make a bad matchup.
The common pro wrestling matchmaking formula of placing a hero against a heel fits perfectly for this fight. However, in the world of mixed martial arts, the most important phrase in matchmaking is "styles make fights." By that logic, this fight is going to be lopsided.
Sonnen, a controversial yet world-class wrestler, has been one of the most infamous MMA fighters in the last year thanks to his legendary mouth and the controversies that surround him. Prior to his first UFC title fight last October against P4P UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, Sonnen promoted the fight to the max. Whether by equating a Noguiera Black Belt to a happy meal toy, comparing Silva's previous opponents to ice skaters or proclaiming the fight to be "Anderson's retirement party," Sonnen backed up every word in the fight.
With the Oakland crowd as energized as any arena I have even been in (they booed and chanted the fighters several times each), the greatest Middleweight title fight ended in the greatest comeback in MMA history, with Silva catching Sonnen in an triangle choke late in the fifth and final round. Following the loss, a huge money rematch seemed in line until Sonnen tested positive for high testosterone after the fight, leading to a year-long suspension.
Sonnen has kept himself in the minds of MMA fans thanks to his battles with the Nevada and California Athletic Commission over his use of TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) as well as just about every fighter in Brazil. He has promoted himself to the fullest and built a huge interest among fans, who are ready to boo his every shortcoming. This, it would seem, would be the perfect fighter to place against fan favorite and American hero Brian Stann. However, in truth it is the complete opposite.
There are many reasons why UFC VP and matchmaker Joe Silva and UFC President Dana White got this wrong, none being more important than the fact that this will destroy the momentum build by both fighters. One of Sonnen's biggest selling points is his trash-talking, and during this fight, he most likely will keep his mouth shut. He is fighting someone he respects and feels is a true American.
Meanwhile, Stann is a developing fighter who is far from ready for a title contender like Sonnen. Having only been training full-time for five years, his biggest victory to date is his defeat of the sick-as-a-dog Chris Leben on New Year's Day. He has yet to show all the needed tools to be a UFC Champion.
The common pro wrestling matchmaking formula of placing a hero against a heel fits perfectly for this fight. However, in the world of mixed martial arts, the most important phrase in matchmaking is "styles make fights." By that logic, this fight is going to be lopsided.
Sonnen, a controversial yet world-class wrestler, has been one of the most infamous MMA fighters in the last year thanks to his legendary mouth and the controversies that surround him. Prior to his first UFC title fight last October against P4P UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, Sonnen promoted the fight to the max. Whether by equating a Noguiera Black Belt to a happy meal toy, comparing Silva's previous opponents to ice skaters or proclaiming the fight to be "Anderson's retirement party," Sonnen backed up every word in the fight.
With the Oakland crowd as energized as any arena I have even been in (they booed and chanted the fighters several times each), the greatest Middleweight title fight ended in the greatest comeback in MMA history, with Silva catching Sonnen in an triangle choke late in the fifth and final round. Following the loss, a huge money rematch seemed in line until Sonnen tested positive for high testosterone after the fight, leading to a year-long suspension.
Sonnen has kept himself in the minds of MMA fans thanks to his battles with the Nevada and California Athletic Commission over his use of TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) as well as just about every fighter in Brazil. He has promoted himself to the fullest and built a huge interest among fans, who are ready to boo his every shortcoming. This, it would seem, would be the perfect fighter to place against fan favorite and American hero Brian Stann. However, in truth it is the complete opposite.
There are many reasons why UFC VP and matchmaker Joe Silva and UFC President Dana White got this wrong, none being more important than the fact that this will destroy the momentum build by both fighters. One of Sonnen's biggest selling points is his trash-talking, and during this fight, he most likely will keep his mouth shut. He is fighting someone he respects and feels is a true American.
Meanwhile, Stann is a developing fighter who is far from ready for a title contender like Sonnen. Having only been training full-time for five years, his biggest victory to date is his defeat of the sick-as-a-dog Chris Leben on New Year's Day. He has yet to show all the needed tools to be a UFC Champion.
No comments:
Post a Comment