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Chael Sonnen’s Gift to MMAFiled Under: Rantings, UFC

Say what you will about will about Chael, he’s a mildly entertaining dude who has shown that Anderson Silva isn’t immortal, just bad-ass. Sonnen has more or less given the blueprint to world on how potentially to beat Silva:

Have a good power double.

Nobody is immune to a good double leg takedown.

Keep smart pressure on Silva and don’t allow him his choice of range and foot placement.

In the first fight, we noticed Silva and Sonnen exchanging blows – something very rare for the elusive Spider.  Anderson’s timing and footwork are generally immaculate. When allowed to setup his feet and get his range down, he becomes a master at picking shots and avoiding any return fire.

Keep Silva down (but actually hurt him when he is there).

With solid wrestling, I believe the advantage is sided with the man on top.  Chael’s problem is he just doesn’t do any damage when he’s pounding.  I’m not sure I fully understand it yet, maybe its posture, maybe its the endurance vs explosiveness in his muscles, maybe its the caution to hold a guy down and not open up a can upon your opponents face – Chael doesn’t seem to give the umph in the ground and pound department that someone like Mark Munoz does.

Do not do silly things, do not take a break.

A spinning backfist is something you have to kinda catch guys unaware with.  Unlike various kicking + punching combos, where you can almost force an opponent to each or exchange punches, the spinning backfist isn’t a high percentage technique. Pair that knowledge with the fact that Anderson Silva is clearly one of the most superior strikers in MMA and you get silliness.  There is no time to give Silva room to set up shop (read: the spider-web) and pick you apart.  There are times when various fighters have had moments of success against Silva.  They all involve pressuring him into their game and not standing in the middle of the octagon. Relentless attack seems like the way to go if one hopes to beat the champion.

Anything missing?

Anyway, what are your thoughts? What fighter or gameplan would you construct to put an end to Silva’s reign?

Tags: anderson silva, Chael Sonnen, UFC 148