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Chael Sonnen Reignites War With Anderson Silva After UFC 136 Win

By Mike Chiappetta
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Chael Sonnen defeated Brian Stann via a submission at UFC 136.

HOUSTON -- Chael Sonnen arrived at UFC 136 with modesty, and left with bluster.

The dominant second-round submission win over Brian Stann? It was just the beginning of the Sonnen show. It was what the middleweight contender said afterward that sent a buzz through the MMA world.

"Anderson Silva," Sonnen said, pausing for dramatic effect, "you absolutely suck."

Those are fighting words, but Sonnen wasn't done.

More Coverage: UFC 136 Results

The middleweight champion Silva happened to be at the Toyota Center, and as his face was shown on the replay screens inside the arena, Sonnen issued his challenge.

"Super Bowl weekend, the biggest rematch in the history of the business," he said. "I'm calling you out Silva, but we're upping the stakes. I beat you, you leave the division. You beat me, I will leave the UFC forever."

Upon issuing his pro-wrestling style, loser-leaves-town challenge, he walked out of the cage.

Sonnen had once been scheduled to get that rematch. In August 2010, he beat up Silva for four-and-a-half rounds before falling victim to a triangle choke submission. It was a dramatic finish and a heartbreaker for Sonnen, but afterward, UFC president Dana White quickly decided Sonnen would get a second chance.

But that was scuttled shortly thereafter when Sonnen's pre-fight drug test came back irregular due to an elevated testosterone to estrogen level, indicative of steroid use. Sonnen later revealed he was undergoing testosterone replacement therapy but the California state athletic commission ruled he hadn't properly disclosed it, and he was suspended. Sonnen later had legal woes relating to a federal money laundering charge, and with his compounded problems, Sonnen was shelved by the UFC.

With that, his chance at gold seemed gone. By the time he returned, the UFC middleweight division was not much different. Silva is still at the top. But surging closer was Stann, a former Marine who had mowed through his last two opponents in dominant knockouts.

But for Sonnen, Stann was barely a roadblock. Sonnen took him down repeatedly from the opening bell and held the top position, and in the second, he closed out the show, transitioning to an arm triangle for the finish. That task done, he took no time to turn his attention back to Silva.

  • UFC 136 Photos

    Mike Massenzio def. Steve Cantwell via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

    Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos

    Mike Massenzio def. Steve Cantwell via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

    Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos

    Mike Massenzio def. Steve Cantwell via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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  • UFC 136 Photos Mike Massenzio def. Steve Cantwell via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Aaron Simpson def. Eric Schafer via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Aaron Simpson def. Eric Schafer via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Aaron Simpson def. Eric Schafer via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Aaron Simpson def. Eric Schafer via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Aaron Simpson def. Eric Schafer via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Aaron Simpson def. Eric Schafer via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos

    Aaron Simpson def. Eric Schafer via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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  • UFC 136 Photos

    Darren Elkins def. Tiequan Zhang via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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  • UFC 136 Photos

    Darren Elkins raises his arms after his fight against Tiequan Zhang at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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  • UFC 136 Photos

    Darren Elkins tries to choke out Tiequan Zhang at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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  • UFC 136 Photos

    Tiequan Zhang attempts a guillotine choke on Darren Elkins at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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  • UFC 136 Photos

    Darren Elkins ground and pounds Tiequan Zhang at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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  • UFC 136 Photos

    Anthony Pettis def. Jeremy Stephens via split decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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  • UFC 136 Photos

    Anthony Pettis fights off his back against Jeremy Stephens at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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  • UFC 136 Photos

    Anthony Pettis tries to take down Jeremy Stephens at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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  • UFC 136 Photos

    Jeremy Stephens receives advice from his corner at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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  • UFC 136 Photos

    Joey Beltran charges at Stipe Miocic at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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  • UFC 136 Photos

    Stipe Miocic (right) throws a punch at Joey Beltran at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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  • UFC 136 Photos

    Demian Maia collides with Jorge Santiago at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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  • UFC 136 Photos

    Demian Maia throws a left hand at a kicking Jorge Santiago at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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  • UFC 136 Photos

    Stipe Miocic def. Joey Beltran via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

    Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Joe Lauzon def. Melvin Guillard via rear-naked choke in 47 seconds at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Joe Lauzon attempts a rear-naked choke on Melvin Guillard at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Joe Lauzon def. Melvin Guillard via rear-naked choke in 47 seconds at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Melvin Guillard trades strikes with Joe Lauzon at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Joe Lauzon attempts a rear-naked choke on Melvin Guillard at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Joe Lauzon chases after the stunned Melvin Guillard at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Melvin Guillard shows his excitement to fight Joe Lauzon at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Nam Phan punches Leonard Garcia at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Nam Phan punches Leonard Garcia at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Nam Phan receives corner instructions at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Leonard Garcia clashes with Nam Phan at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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    Leonard Garcia wants more of Nam Phan at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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  • UFC 136 Photos Nam Phan punches Leonard Garcia in the body at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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    Leonard Garcia charges Nam Phan with punches at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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  • UFC 136 Photos Leonard Garcia charges Nam Phan with punches at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Nam Phan raises his arms after his fight against Leonard Garcia at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Nam Phan def. Leonard Garcia via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Nam Phan is overjoyed with his win over Leonard Garcia at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Fight of the Night winners Nam Phan and Leonard Garcia talk to Joe Rogan at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Chael Sonnen controls Brian Stann on the ground at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Chael Sonnen climbs the back of Brian Stann at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Brian Stann listens to his corner between rounds at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Chael Sonnen mounts Brian Stann on the ground at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Chael Sonnen lifts Brian Stann for a slam at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Chael Sonnen submits Brian Stann with an arm-triangle choke at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Chael Sonnen walks away after submitting Brian Stann at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Brian Stann looks down in defeat at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Chael Sonnen def. Brian Stann via submission at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Chael Sonnen calls out Anderson Silva at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Kenny Florian and Jose Aldo meet to touch gloves before their fight at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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    UFC featherweight champ Jose Aldo chases a stunned Kenny Florian at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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  • UFC 136 Photos Jose Aldo throws a punch at Kenny Florian at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Jose Aldo lands a shot on the body of Kenny Florian at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Kenny Florian throws a leg kick at Jose Aldo at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Jose Aldo throws a punch at Kenny Florian at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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    Jose Aldo lands a front kick on Kenny Florian at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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    Jose Aldo connects with a right hand on Kenny Florian at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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  • UFC 136 Photos Kenny Florian throws a front kick on Jose Aldo at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Jose Aldo performs a backflip off the cage after his fight against Kenny Florian at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Jose Aldo def. Kenny Florian via unanimous at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Frankie Edgar is ready to face Gray Maynard at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Frankie Edgar meets Gray Maynard in the center of the cage before their title fight at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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    UFC lightweight champ Frankie Edgar tries to take down Gray Maynard at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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  • UFC 136 Photos Gray Maynard tries to finish Frankie Edgar at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Gray Maynard throws a headkick at Frankie Edgar at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Gray Maynard lands a flying knee on Frankie Edgar at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Frankie Edgar connects on a left hand on Gray Maynard at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Gray Maynard receives corner instructions at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Gray Maynard tries to maintain a distance from Frankie Edgar at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Gray Maynard charges towards Frankie Edgar at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Frankie Edgar throws a punch at Gray Maynard at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Gray Maynard tries to clinch with Frankie Edgar at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Frankie Edgar rocks Gray Maynard en route to his KO win at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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    Frankie Edgar stumbles Gray Maynard at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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    Frankie Edgar finishes Gray Maynard with left hands at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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    Frankie Edgar finishes Gray Maynard with left hands at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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    Frankie Edgar celebrates his KO over Gray Maynard at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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    Frankie Edgar plays to the camera at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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    Frankie Edgar celebrates his successful lightweight title defense with his team at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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  • UFC 136 Photos Vanessa Hanson was the guest Octagon Girl at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Joey Beltran walks off in disappointment after his loss at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Anthony Pettis wants the armbar against Jeremy Stephens at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Melvin Guillard exits the cage after losing to Joe Lauzon at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther LIn, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Joe Lauzon walks back to his locker room after his upset win over Melvin Guillard at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Nam Phan and Leonard Garcia raise their arms after their fight at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Chael Sonnen exits the cage after beating Chael Sonnen at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Kenny Florian leaves the cage after his loss to Jose Aldo at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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    Jose Aldo celebrates his successful featherweight title defense with his team at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

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  • UFC 136 Photos Gray Maynard walks to his locker room after suffering his first career loss at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC 136 Photos Frankie Edgar wears his belt out of the cage at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting



"As far as Anderson goes, we're playing for keeps this time," said Sonnen, who claimed he was the rightful champ and his win over Stann was his first successful title defense. "I've had it with this guy, and he's probably had it with me, so let's just figure this thing out once and for all. You heard what I said. My word is good. A deal is a deal and I didn't see him stand up and accept the challenge. If the shoe was on the other foot, I'd come over there and shove the microphone up his ass, if he would've said that to me. But you saw what he did. He sat there, and it was a good move."

White said later that Sonnen's wish would probably be granted.

"More than likely," he said. "I don't like to commit to anything the night of the fight, but I'd be pretty f------ stupid if I don't make that fight."

Even on a night where two titles were defended and Frankie Edgar pulled off one of the most dramatic comeback wins in recent history, all it took was a few choice words for Sonnen to take back the spotlight. The Chael Sonnen show is back, whether Silva and the rest of the MMA word like it or not.

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