UFC Champ Anderson Silva doesn't think Chael Sonnen should be getting second chance to fight him

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Though Anderson Silva will take on Chael Sonnen for a second time this June for his UFC Middleweight Championship, it's not necessarily a fight he's happy to be taking. In fact, he doesn't think it's a fight Sonnen deserves at all.

"(What does Chael Sonnen represent for my career?) Nothing!" Silva said in an interview with SporTV (translated by Orcus at BloodyElbow.com). "He's possessed by a demon. That's the truth. He's an athlete that failed the drug test, I fought him while injured, and he had problems with the American Justice system. He respects nothing and he didn't respect our country. What does he represent? Nothing."

"I respect the opinions and the positions of the promoters of the fight and the owners of the event, but in my opinion he shouldn't get the chance to fight me again. But that's not something that I can decide. I will get ready for the fight just as I would with any other."

Silva believes Sonnen is bad for the sport, and thinks if a Brazilian said the things about America that Sonnen has said about Brazil, they wouldn't have an opportunity to go into the country.

"He disrespected our idols that made history in the world of sports, such as Lance Armstrong," Silva said. "This guy is complicated, he's got personal issues. The attention that the Brazilian media gives him, the attention that Palmeiras gave him, it's very bad. If any Brazilian would be in the position that he finds himself in, if they would talk about the US and he does about Brazil, and the American idols, we wouldn't even have the same opportunities of going in their country or talking to the American media. I think that Brazilians should be more patriotic, like the Americans."

The fight itself is being targeted for June 16 in Brazil, though a location and venue for the event have not yet been locked down.

Penick's Analysis: Silva's not wrong in his assessment of Sonnen, and he has every reason to not like his opponent. In some ways, that could lead to a big performance from Silva i this rematch, especially considering the rib injury he battled in the first matchup. It's a huge fight business-wise for the UFC, and that's why the fight is being made, but whether he wants to have anything to do with Sonnen or not, Silva will take the fight. Come June, he'll get his chance to take out his frustrations on the outspoken Oregonian.

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_12775.shtml

Sterling Burton Marlin Mark Anthony Martin Jeremy Allan Mayfield James Christopher McMurray Casey James Mears