he so desperately wants.
on Fox 2, winning 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 on the judges' scorecards. As he usually does, Sonnen turned the post-fight interview to an exercise in absurd self-promotion.
"When you're the greatest fighter in the world today they've got a name for you," Sonnen said. "They don't call you a great fighter, they call you Chael Sonnen."
The win will earn Sonnen a shot at Silva, the UFC middleweight champion, likely this summer in Brazil.
Sonnen took Bisping down just seconds into the first round, eliciting a huge cheer from the crowd. Bisping popped back up quickly, but within another minute Sonnen had taken him down again. Bisping was able to shrug off that takedown, too, and most of the first round was fought standing up, but Sonnen clinched with Bisping for most of the first round and controlled the pace of the fight, even though he couldn't do much damage.
At the start of the second round Bisping appeared to be doing a better job landing punches and avoiding the clinch, but after a couple of minutes Sonnen took Bisping down and got on top of him again. Before Bisping could get back up he ate some hard punches. However, Bisping did better on the feet once they stood back up. It was a close fight through two rounds.
Sonnen went for an immediate takedown at the start of the third and got on top of Bisping, and when Bisping briefly stood up, that just allowed Sonnen to take his back. From there Sonnen transitioned into full mount, and he was in control on the ground for most of the rest of the round. Bisping did get back on top in the final seconds of the fight, but Sonnen had done enough to win -- and his second shot at the title.
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UFC on FOX 2
Dustin Jacoby strikes Chris Camozzi at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Chris Camozzi uses a guillotine choke to submit Dustin Jacoby at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Chris Camozzi celebrates his submission win at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Chris Camozzi celebrates his submission win at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Joey Beltran gets ready for his fight at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Joey Beltran falls back after getting hit by Lavar Johnson at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Lavar Johnson punches Joey Beltran at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Lavar Johnson drills Joey Beltran at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Lavar Johnson punches Joey Beltran at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Lavar Johnson celebrates his knockout win against Joey Beltran at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Michael Johnson strikes Shane Roller at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Shane Roller gets some attention between rounds at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Shane Roller has a quick chat with referee Herb Dean at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Shane Roller tries to submit Michael Johnson at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Michael Johnson looks for the finish at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Micheal Johnson defeated Shane Roller via unanimous decision at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Michael Johnson waves to the crowd before his fight at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Eric Wisely's kick is caught by Charles Oliveira at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Charles Oliveira tries to finish Eric Wisely at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Charles Oliveira catches Eric Wisely in a calf-crusher at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Charles Oliveira celebrates his win over Eric Wisely at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Charles Oliveira celebrates his win at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Cub Swanson strikes George Roop at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Cub Swanson looks to finish George Roop at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Cub Swanson looks to finish George Roop at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Cub Swanson looks to finish George Roop at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Cub Swanson earns a second-round TKO over George Roop at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Cub Swanson celebrates his win at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Cub Swanson celebrates his win at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Mike Russow gets ready for his fight at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Jon Olav Einemo catches Mike Russow with a knee at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Mike Russow tries to finish Jon Olav Einemo at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Mike Russow is hit in the face by a knee from Jon Olav Einemo at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Mike Russow celebrates his unanimous decision win in front of his hometown crowd at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Evan Dunham gets ready for his fight at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Brittney Palmer takes her walk around the Octagon between rounds at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Nik Lentz catches Evan Dunham with a right at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2 Photos
Evan Dunham smashes Nik Lentz in the face at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Evan Dunham looks for the finish at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Evan Dunham batters Nik Lentz against the cage at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Evan Dunham and Nik Lentz exchange shots at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Evan Dunham strikes Nik Lentz at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Evan Dunham celebrates his victory over Nik Lentz exchange shots at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Nik Lentz suffers his second straight loss at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Demian Maia makes his way to the Octagon at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Demian Maia and Chris Weidman exchange shots at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Demian Maia knees Chris Weidman at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Chris Weidman hits Demian Maia at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Demian Maia gets ready to strike Chris Weidman at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Demian Maia and Chris Weidman give each other hgh-five after their fight at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Chris Weidman celebrates his unanimous decision win against Demian Maia at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Chael Sonnen makes his way to the Octagon at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Michael Bisping gets ready for his fight at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Chael Sonnen hits Michael Bisping with a right at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Michael Bisping connects with a left to Chael Sonnen's face at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Chael Sonnen takes Michael Bisping down at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Michael Bisping and Chael Sonnen battle at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Michael Bisping connects with a knee against Chael Sonnen with a right at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Michael Bisping takes a breather after the first round at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Arianny Celeste finishes up her lap around the Octagon at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Chael Sonnen gets ready for the second round at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Chael Sonnen connects to Michael Bisping's face at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Chael Sonnen battles Michael Bisping on the ground at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Michael Bisping celebrates after the fight before the decision is read at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Michael Bisping and Chael Sonnen slap hands after their fight at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Chael Sonnen celebrates his unanimous decision win over Michael Bisping at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Chael Sonnen has a memorable speech with Joe Rogan after his fight at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Michael Bisping reacts after suffering his first loss in five fights at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Rashad Evans makes his way to the Octagon at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Phil Davis gets his ready for his fight at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Bruce Buffer announces the fighters for the main event at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Rashad Evans gets ready for his fight at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Rashad Evans punches Phil Davis at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Rashad Evans traps Phil Davis in a mounted crucifix at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Rashad Evans takes a seat between rounds at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Phil Davis catches Rashad Evans with a right at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Rashad Evans strikes Phil Davis in the face at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Rashad Evans punches Phil Davis in his eye at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Rashad Evans strikes Phil Davis at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Rashad Evans hits Phil Davis with an elbow at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Phil Davis gets a breather between rounds at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Rashad Evans hits Phil Davis with his left hand at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
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UFC on FOX 2
Rashad Evans earns a unanimous decision win over Phil Davis at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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