Sherdog’s Top 10: Post-Fight Interviews and Moments

2. Throwing Down the Gauntlet

Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann
UFC 136 “Edgar vs. Maynard 3”
Oct. 8, 2011 | Toyota Center, Houston

It had been a long 14 months away from the Octagon for Sonnen. After coming within moments of defeating pound-for-pound king and middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 117, the Oregon native failed a post-fight drug test and later pleaded guilty to federal money laundering charges. Those troubles delayed a lucrative rematch with “The Spider,” and by the time Sonnen returned to action, he was forced to earn his way back to another title shot.

With Silva in attendance, Sonnen dominated Brian Stann -- a Top 10 middleweight in his own right -- as he submitted the former United States Marine with an arm-triangle choke at 3:51 of the second round. Once that job was complete, Sonnen returned to doing what he does best -- antagonizing Silva.

“Anderson Silva, you absolutely suck,” he said. “Super Bowl weekend, the biggest rematch in the history of the business: I’m calling you out, but we’re raising the stakes. I beat you, you leave the division. You beat me, I will leave the UFC forever.”

Of course, their highly anticipated rematch didn’t take place until July 7, and, despite losing to Silva via second-round technical knockout, Sonnen does not appear to be going anywhere. Still, give credit where credit is due. The self-proclaimed “Gangster from West Linn” knows how to sell a fight, even if he claims that is never his intention.

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