Despite the fact Chael Sonnen has never won a fight in the UFC’s 205-pound division, he is the slight favourite heading into his bout against former light-heavyweight champion Mauricio (Shogun) Rua in Saturday’s main event that fans can watch on Sportsnet 360.
In order to understand why so many people believe Sonnen will emerge victorious, SPORTSNET.CA recruited the help of an MMA legend.
We sat down with UFC superstar Wanderlei Silva and the former Pride champion opened up — in a far from unbiased way — about what he thinks will happen in the anticipated Shogun-Sonnen matchup.
Watch UFC on Sportsnet: Shogun vs. Sonnen on Saturday Aug. 17 starting at 6pm ET / 3pm PT on Sportsnet 360, plus catch three bonus prelims on sportsnet.ca starting at 4:30pm ET / 1:30pm PT – Broadcast Schedule
This isn’t your typical, objective, analytical breakdown of a fight. Silva is a longtime friend and training partner of Rua and has built up a verbal rivalry with Sonnen over the past couple years.
“I live in Las Vegas and I like my money, but I don’t gamble, but I said to my wife I want to put a $100,000 on Shogun,” Silva told sportsnet.ca Friday.
“I don’t see any way for Sonnen to win the fight. Shogun is better in standup, Shogun is better on the ground and he’s strong like a horse. I think Shogun is going to hurt him.”
Silva says Sonnen has a way of tricking people with his promotional tactics and that’s why so many are picking the former No. 1 middleweight contender to beat Rua.
“The people don’t understand about (fighting). They understand what he says and believe what he is saying,” Silva said.
“Fans should enjoy it because it’s maybe going to be the last fight of Sonnen.”
Fans and MMA pundits who are picking Sonnen have pointed to the American’s high-level wrestling attack and his added strength at 205 pounds, but Silva says people are underestimating how strong and well-rounded Rua is.
“He’s big, he’s huge. He has a lot of weapons. His standup is unbelievable and his ground is unbelievable too,” said Silva, who is currently in Toronto on a promotional tour with Inner Circle Agency. “I think he’s going to knockout or submit Sonnen for sure.”
Silva, 37, has been competing in MMA since 1996 and has compiled a record of 35-12-1, 1 NC with wins over the likes of Dan Henderson, Quinton (Rampage) Jackson, Kazushi Sakuraba, Cung Le and Michael Bisping among many others.
Despite his vast experience in the sport he explained that he still gets nervous when his friends or training partners fight and that it’s a different feeling than the nerves he may get before he steps into the Octagon.
Although he’s confident Rua will win, he still is anxious to see what happens.
“We have a very close friendship and I don’t like to see my friends hurt. I want to see my friends happy with the victory,” he said.
“I’ll be very nervous, but Shogun is looking good and training good. I think he’s going to surprise everyone with his performance.”
When all is said and done, Silva only foresees one outcome.
The Axe Murderer’s prediction: “I think he’s going to knockout Sonnen. That fight won’t get past the second round. Never.”
