The Fighter's Circle

by Al Stover

In recent interviews, middleweight contender Chael Sonnen (27-11-1, 5-4 UFC) has said he is done with UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva. Sonnen, who will face Mark Munoz in a number one contender’s match for the middleweight title, said when he wins he is going to take his title shot and cash it in on a champion in a different weight class.

His recent targets include UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Georges St. Pierre, UFC welterweight champion.

Although this could just be Uncle Chael using his gift of gab, these title matches could earn some drawing power and come up with interesting results.

Chael Sonnen vs. Junior Dos Santos for the UFC Heavyweight championship

Although Dos Santos competes in two weight classes above middleweight, Sonnen’s skill set on the ground could be an advantage if he were able to keep the heavyweight champ on the canvas. Still, all Dos Santos would need is one solid punch, or several to knock out Sonnen.

Dos Santos could also take this fight personal as Sonnen has insulted not just Dos Santos’ Black House teammates but the entire county of Brazil. This could give the champion motivation to finish the fight quickly, or it could take his focus out of the fight.

Chael Sonnen vs. Jon Jones for the UFC Light Heavyweight championship

This is perhaps the fight where Sonnen would have the most difficulty. Although he has fought at light heavyweight in the past, Jones has been a roll as of late. While Jones’ wrestling could match Sonnen,’s it is Uncle Chael’s ability to withstand submissions that would be put to the test.

Jones has won five of his 15 fights by submission, while eight of Sonnen’s 11 losses have come by submission.

Chael Sonnen vs. Georges St. Pierre for the UFC Welterweight championship

Sonnen’s aggressive nature could be an advantage if he were able to catch St. Pierre off guard, if he were able to keep it standing. However, St. Pierre is known for being cautious and neutralizing a fighter’s strengths. St. Pierre’s wrestling could also be on par with Sonnen’s. 

Sonnen’s weight cut from middleweight to welterweight could also affect the fight.

There also the factor of what St. Pierre’s health will be like post-ACL injury. Sonnen could end up not even fighting GSP, but Nick Diaz or Carlos Condit, who are set to fight each other at UFC 143 for the Interim welterweight title while St. Pierre recovers from injury. The winner of the interim title match will most likely face St. Pierre, unless the UFC wants to make a GSP put the welterweight title against Sonnen, and the winner of that fight faces the interim champion, ala Mir vs. Lesnar II at UFC 100.

Fight fans: What would you like to see? Would you like Uncle Chael to move up (or down) in weight to fight these other champions, or would you like Silva vs. Sonnen 2?