Silva, widely regarded as MMA’s top pound-for-pound fighter, had already seen previously top five-ranked fighters Fedor Emelianenko, B.J. Penn and Lyoto Machida upset this year. And initially, it looked as though Silva might join the list.
Sonnen, who got his title shot on the heels of three straight UFC wins, launched an epic trash-talking campaign toward Silva, who had been criticized by fans and UFC management for recently lackluster fights. Sonnen’s verbal grenades generated widespread interest in the event, but it could have left the former University of Oregon All-American wrestler with egg all over his face. Although Silva entered the fight with UFC records for consecutive wins (11) and title defenses (seven), Sonnen said he’d pressure the champ like never before.
“It’s time for someone to expose this chump,” Sonnen said.
Remarkably, his bite matched his bark. Through three rounds, thanks to his ground and pound, Sonnen landed 218 strikes to Silva’s 11. The onslaught continued into the fifth round, when — with fewer than two minutes remaining — Silva secured a triangle-choke submission from his back and pulled off the come-from-behind win.
“It’s devastating,” Sonnen said. “I can’t sugarcoat it; my heart is broken.”
Ironically, the beatdown may have been just what Silva needed to win back fans. Everyone likes an underdog, and until UFC 117, Silva had never been one.
“The fight that happened tonight is the stuff that makes legends,” said UFC president Dana White, who is undecided if he’ll book an immediate rematch.
Also on the UFC 117 card, Junior Nelson (12-1) scored a decision over Roy Nelson (15-5) to earn a heavyweight title shot. Additionally, former Purdue University wrestler and Fort Wayne native Jon Fitch (23-3) edged Thiago Alves (16-7) for his 20th win in 21 fights.
On the preliminary card, West Chester Twp.’s Dustin Hazelett (12-6) suffered a second-round TKO to fast-rising welterweight prospect Rick Story (11-3) and now has back-to-back losses for the first time in his career.
Franklin to be honored at Wednesday’s Reds game
The Cincinnati Reds will honor UFC fighter and West Chester Twp. resident Rich Franklin prior to Wednesday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park.
The fighter, who knocked out Chuck Liddell at June’s UFC 115, will throw out a ceremonial pitch prior to the 12:35 p.m. game.
Dann Stupp is editor-in-chief of
MMAjunkie.com, voted best media outlet in the 2008 and 2009 World MMA Awards. For the latest mixed-martial-arts news, go to MMAjunkie.com.
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