With his legacy on the line, Chael Sonnen believes he has finally found the secret ingredient to defeating Anderon Silva.
Having shared the ring with the legendary Brazilian on two separate occasions, ‘The American Gangster’ knows the mistakes he cannot afford to make when exchanging leather with his nemesis for the third and final time.
Chael Sonnen ready to claim redemption when he fights Anderson Silva
When Chael Sonnen first set foot in the cage with Anderson Silva, he shocked the world, producing a riveting performance to win the first four rounds.
The belt that the renowned charlatan had pursued since the first moment he entered a gym was within reach. But then, in a moment that will live with him for the rest of his life, he made a small mistake, allowing his opponent to block a triangle arm that erased his dreams in an instant.
And although the popular fighter got a second chance against his nemesis two years later, the rematch didn’t go well either, with ‘The Spider’ scoring a TKO in the second round.
For nearly twelve years, Sonnen has longed for a chance at redemption that seemed like it would never come. But now, the 47-year-old finally gets his chance, as the two will meet in a boxing match on Saturday night in São Paulo, Brazil.
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And this time, knowing the mistakes he can’t afford to make, Sonnen has a trick hidden up his sleeve.
In a video posted on his YouTube account he explained: “I’m going to be out there for a while. I’m not going to go out and try to knock him out with my power. There is an expression in boxing and it is very true: ‘If you go for the knockout, you won’t win by decision.’
“That was a mistake I made in MMA fights. There was an urgency to get it down because I didn’t want to be stuck with it. I didn’t want to be in that position. I didn’t want to be in range of what happened to Forrest Griffin. I had seen what he did to Vitor Belfort and so many other guys.
“With the bigger gloves, I’ll be able to calm him down, but I’m not going to go out and think I can put pressure on him and force him to quit. I have tried it twice and that is not the strategy to beat Anderson.”
However, while he is certainly confident in his upcoming competition, there is still an element of doubt in the back of his mind.
Chael Sonnen reveals his biggest fear ahead of boxing fight with Anderson Silva
Throughout his career, the American has earned a reputation for his remarkable powers with the microphone. However, while he delivers a one-liner better than most, behind his bravado is a normal man with as many insecurities as anyone else.
So, it goes without saying that all those doubts and fears come to the surface when you are ready to fight a man who has already beaten you on two separate occasions.
However, in a testament to his authenticity, instead of hiding those concerns, he spoke openly and transparently about the only thing that really worries him before his last chance at redemption.
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