LAS VEGAS -- UFC president Dana White called UFC 148 the biggest event in his company’s history. It may have also been the biggest win of Anderson Silva’s legendary career. Neither of them could have done it without Chael Sonnen, the challenger who defied expectations to become the rival that the middleweight champion never knew he wanted or even needed.
At the MGM Grand Garden Arena here on Saturday night, Silva didn’t just close the book on that rivalry -- he slammed it shut. After struggling against Sonnen’s ground game for the entirety of the first round, the champ rebounded in the second to put Sonnen in trouble with a risky knee strike that was just inches away from being an illegal blow, then finished the job with some well-placed follow-up punches that forced the stoppage. With that, the 37-year-old Silva cemented his legacy as one of MMA’s all-time greats, if not the best fighter the sport has ever known.
But now that it’s over and the UFC can set itself to the glorious labor of tallying up pay-per-view receipts, we have to take a step back and remember what made this possible. As White was quick to remind us at the post-fight press conference, it wasn’t Sonnen’s mouth that sold this fight. Or at least, it wasn’t only that.
"The first fight sold this fight," White said, and I have to admit he has a point, even if he neglected to mention that Sonnen’s mouth sold the first fight. That meeting was supposed to be quick and brutal. Sonnen entertained us in the weeks leading up to it, but conventional wisdom said that when the cage door swung shut, it would be Silva’s turn to take over. It didn’t happen that way, and by the time both men made their way out of the Oracle Arena in Oakland that night, the rematch was already all but sold.
Even without Sonnen, without that night and without this rematch, Silva would have been in no danger of being overlooked in MMA lore. He’s dominated his division so thoroughly for the last six years that he’s almost made it look weak. When you’re in the business of selling pay-per-views and expensive tickets, that’s kind of a problem.
Let’s face it, Silva hasn’t exactly been Mr. Personality over the last few years. As good as he is in the cage, he’s never done much for English-speaking fans on the mic, nor has he cared to try and change that. His string of bizarre performances -- fights where he seemed bored with his own dominance -- didn’t help. Despite his obvious talent, there were years when, as he showed up at events to corner his friends and teammates, it was almost a given that some brave fun would shout out a demand to be repaid the money he’d spent on Silva’s last pay-per-view fight.
Sonnen came along with just the right solution to that problem, and at just the right time. Initially, his one great (or at least most believable) promise was that he’d force Silva to do something worth paying for, even if it cost Sonnen himself a couple pints of blood. When he delivered so much more, complete with just the right amount of heartbreak and post-fight controversy, he inadvertently laid the groundwork for what may well be remembered as the biggest single UFC fight of all time. At least until the next one.
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Anderson Silva ground and pounds Chael Sonnen during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Anderson Silva walks out to the Octagon during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Chael Sonnen during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Anderson Silva before his fight during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Anderson Silva takes a breath before fighting Chael Sonnen during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Chael Sonnen during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Chael Sonnen ground and pounds Anderson Silva during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Chael Sonnen controls Anderson Silva on the ground during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Anderson Silva kicks Chael Sonnen during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Anderson Silva stands over Chael Sonnen during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Anderson Silva lands a controversial knee on Chael Sonnen during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Anderson Silva celebrates his victory during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Chael Sonnen during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Anderson Silva is declared the winner during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Anderson Silva talks to Joe Rogan after defeating Chael Sonnen during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Chael Sonnen wipes sweat away after losing during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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A grateful Anderson Silva after winning during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Anderson Silva is contemplative after winning during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Anderson Silva walks back to the dressing room during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Tito Ortiz kicks Forrest Griffin during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Tito Ortiz addresses the crowd during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Forrest Griffin enters the cage during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Forrest Griffin and Tito Ortiz face off during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Forrest Griffin and Tito Ortiz throws strikes at each other during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Forrest Griffin hits Tito Ortiz with a push kick during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Tito Ortiz punches Forrest Griffin during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Forrest Griffin jabs Tito Ortiz during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Forrest Griffin nails Tito Ortiz with a punch during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Tito Ortiz tries to finish the takedown on Forrest Griffin during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Tito Ortiz between rounds during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Forrest Griffin between rounds during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Tito Ortiz and Forrest Griffin exchange punches during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Tito Ortiz works the clinch on Forrest Griffin during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Tito Ortiz throws a left hook during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Tito Ortiz raises his hand to the crowd during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Tito Ortiz during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Forrest Griffin is declared the winner over Tito Ortiz during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Forrest Griffin interviews Tito Ortiz during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Tito Ortiz shows off his final t-shirt during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Cung Le hits Patrick Cote with a side kick during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Cung Le nails Patrick Cote with a right hand during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Cung Le is declared the victor over Patrick Cote during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Cung Le exits the Octagon during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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LeBron James stands behind Lorenzo Fertitta during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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UFC Octagon Girl Brittney Palmer during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Demian Maia pounds on Dong Hyun Kim during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Demian Maia gets ready during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Demian Maia celebrates after defeating an injured Dong Hyun Kim during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Demian Maia celebrates his victory during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Cody McKenzie gets ready for his fight during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Cody McKenzie gets knocked out during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Chad Mendes celebrates his knockout win during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Ivan Menjivar fires a right hand to Mike Easton's face during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Mike Easton and Ivan Menjivar nearly clash heads during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Mike Easton is declared the winner over Ivan Menjivar during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Fabricio Camoes rains punches from mount on Melvin Guillard during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Fabricio Camoes hears the crowd during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Fabricio Camoes attempts a late submission on Melvin Guillard during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Melvin Guillard is declared the winner over Fabricio Camoes during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Khabib Nurmagomedov lands a right hand on Gleison Tibau during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates after winning during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Costa Philippou tries to land a right hand on Riki Fukuda during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Riki Fukuda fires an overhand right at Costa Philippou during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Costa Philippou is checked out by a ringside doctor after an eye poke during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Costa Philippou is declared the winner over Riki Fukuda during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Costa Philippou points to his eye that was poked during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Shane Roller lands a right to the face of John Alessio during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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John Alessio and Shane Roller battle in the clinch during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Shane Roller attempts a body lock takedown on John Alessio during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Shane Roller is declared the winner over John Alessio during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Rafaello Oliveira lands a double leg takedown on Yoislandy Izquierdo during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Yoislandy Izquierdo lands a left straight on Rafaello Oliveira during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Yoislandy Izquierdo attempts a knee on Rafaello Oliveira during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Rafaello Oliveira attempts an Americana submission from side control on Yoislandy Izquierdo during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
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Rafaello Oliveira celebrates his win during UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
Silva needed Sonnen, whether he wants to admit it or not. He needed someone who could not only offer the promise of a real test in the cage, but also a persistent motivating force who could guarantee fans that they’d get a memorable night in front of the TV in exchange for their money. Sonnen provided both, and right when Silva needed them most. All Silva had to do was show up and be great.
When it comes to combat sports, you can’t underestimate the value of a good dance partner. A champion needs a challenger who provides not only competition, but contrast. Sonnen did that, and in the process he became the tool that Silva used to carve his name into the sport’s permanent record. It’s just unfortunate for him that while he was busy being the chisel, Silva proved to be the one wielding the hammer.
Will UFC 148 turn out to be the biggest UFC event in history? Depends how you measure it. Revenue and butts in seats and sheer number of eyeballs glued to TV sets might be the indicators that are the easiest to tally up, but they don’t always tell us everything. Years from now, the live gate figures won’t tell you how it felt to be at the MGM Grand when Sonnen stood in the cage and beckoned the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter to come meet him in the middle. It won’t tell you what feverish anticipation there was for this fight in the days leading up to it, or how much the outcome seemed to matter. That stuff isn’t easily measured, which makes it a lot like all the work Sonnen and Silva did to make this night a great one. Maybe even the greatest.