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UFC Heavyweight Championship bout: Junior Dos Santos (c) vs. Cain Velasquez
Light Heavyweight bout: Forrest Griffin vs. Chael Sonnen


Chael's Next Fight Revealed: Forrest Griffin at LHW
No link yet: I guess he just announced on fuel.

Weird fight. Not sure how they'll really promote it as a contest since Dana has been saying Forrest should retire, can't help but feel there'd be better match-ups out there for Chael to step up in weight for.

blkout wrote:Weird fight. Not sure how they'll really promote it as a contest since Dana has been saying Forrest should retire, can't help but feel there'd be better match-ups out there for Chael to step up in weight for.

Pretty much what I was thinking too. I have little desire to see Forrest fight again. Nevertheless, I will watch this fight, hah.

Forrest holds a win over Sonnen and it will be a big name, yet winnable fight to start Chael's LHW run, so it makes sense to me.

The question is, exactly how fast will he be fasttracked to a title shot?

I'm guessing 2 wins, but I wouldn't be shocked if the throw him in there with Jones right after the Griffin fight. It's not like he's a prospect they are building up, and we know he can sell a fight.

After he gets dismantled by Jones, he could settle into a pretty good spot in the LHW division. Lots of fresh matchups, lots of big names, and possibly a vacant title before too long.

CPT wrote:Forrest holds a win over Sonnen and it will be a big name, yet winnable fight to start Chael's LHW run, so it makes sense to me.

The question is, exactly how fast will he be fasttracked to a title shot?

I'm guessing 2 wins, but I wouldn't be shocked if the throw him in there with Jones right after the Griffin fight. It's not like he's a prospect they are building up, and we know he can sell a fight.

After he gets dismantled by Jones, he could settle into a pretty good spot in the LHW division. Lots of fresh matchups, lots of big names, and possibly a vacant title before too long.

I think Chael will need 2 wins at 205 simply due to timing. Machida gets the next shot and likely Gustaffson after that. Chael will need to beat Forrest and then someone else in the mix IMO.

I still don't think Gus is as close to a title shot as some hardcore fans believe.

A win against a big name like Shogun could change that, but as it stands, he's probably still on the outside looking in.

I don't think the UFC would hesitate for a second in having a big draw like Sonnen leapfrog him, as long ad they feel the fans would get behind it.

Lame, I was hoping for Chael to face a relevant LHW or at least a Brazilian so the "He talked bad about my country" angle could be played. Will this be a co-main event? It's weak for one, but both Chael and Forrest have a lot of fans. They can't give Chael a shot after this fight. Not when Machida, and the winner of Shogun/Gus will probably get a title shot.

No one wants this.

Forrrest ran out of his Tito "win" crying, and now he gets Chael?

This will be a boring fight, with fake hype.

Gold Chain wrote:No one wants this.

Forrrest ran out of his Tito "win" crying, and now he gets Chael?

This will be a boring fight, with fake hype.

To me, the ufc obviously wants Chael to win. Dana is a week removed from grouping Forrest with MATT HUGHES in terms of "he should just retire". This would give Chael a chance to beat a big name, former lhw champ, and possibly put him right into the title hunt.

REDDzone wrote:

Gold Chain wrote:No one wants this.

Forrrest ran out of his Tito "win" crying, and now he gets Chael?

This will be a boring fight, with fake hype.

To me, the ufc obviously wants Chael to win. Dana is a week removed from grouping Forrest with MATT HUGHES in terms of "he should just retire". This would give Chael a chance to beat a big name, former lhw champ, and possibly put him right into the title hunt.

Which is fine from a promotional standpoint and selling PPV's, but Chael has nothing for the top of 205.

If Chael can't finish 185'rs by strikes, what's he gonna do at 205?

I watched everyone gush about this guy against Silva, and it took him under two rounds to demolish him.
(And spent one round laying on top of him doing no damage)

Shogun? Nope.
Gus? Nope.
Shad? Nope.
Jones... (Not even going to dignify that.)
Hendo...won't fight him.
Machida? Nope.

I didn't watch the Forrest vs Tito fight...without that, apparently, listless performance I would say this is an OK match-up. they're both guys with good straight punches, I think Sonnen considerably more athletic of a boxer though. I think he'll rip and move pretty easily, if he has to stand.

Forrest's TDD has been awesome in the past, awesome. And his guard is really good too. I don't know what Chael can do to a 240 pound-framed man with great game from his back. It might be a real boring fight if Chael gets it down.

I actually think Chael can KO him standing, though, he's really good at throwing his punches and moving into the pocket.

Win 20–8–1 Kyacey Uscola TKO (punches) SF 20: Homecoming Oct 27, 2007 1 N/A Portland, Oregon, United States

That's right. 2007 was the last time Sonnen stopped an opponent from strikes.

He's the Jalen Rose of MMA. He's had his eye on the TV gig the whole time and will take money fights and catchweights against Brazilians from here out.

Gold Chain wrote:

Win 20–8–1 Kyacey Uscola TKO (punches) SF 20: Homecoming Oct 27, 2007 1 N/A Portland, Oregon, United States

That's right. 2007 was the last time Sonnen stopped an opponent from strikes.

He's the Jalen Rose of MMA. He's had his eye on the TV gig the whole time and will take money fights and catchweights against Brazilians from here out.

(Great at hosting though, he and Kenny do a great job on Fuel)

Gold Chain wrote:I watched everyone gush about this guy against Silva, and it took him under two rounds to demolish him.

Huh? Chael was a huge underdog in both fights.

CBR makes a great point about Forrest's frame. He is a huge, huge guy at lhw. It will be different.

It probably helps that Sonnen has been fighting dudes who were former lhws themselves (Bisping/Stann/Silva).

REDDzone wrote:

Gold Chain wrote:I watched everyone gush about this guy against Silva, and it took him under two rounds to demolish him.

Huh? Chael was a huge underdog in both fights.

Maybe with the betting public, not teh webs.

Gold Chain wrote:

Win 20–8–1 Kyacey Uscola TKO (punches) SF 20: Homecoming Oct 27, 2007 1 N/A Portland, Oregon, United States

That's right. 2007 was the last time Sonnen stopped an opponent from strikes.

He's the Jalen Rose of MMA. He's had his eye on the TV gig the whole time and will take money fights and catchweights against Brazilians from here out.

If Sonnen gets a KO, Griffin's a good bet to be on the receiving end. I don't trust his chin at all anymore.

Another fight where I can 100% root for Chael. The last time I could say that was against Bisping.

K1NG wrote:Another fight where I can 100% root for Chael. The last time I could say that was against Bisping.

Chael/Bisping, talk about a conundrum. I think I was praying for a double KO.

K1NG wrote:Another fight where I can 100% root for Chael. The last time I could say that was against Bisping.

Chael/Bisping, talk about a conundrum. I think I was praying for a double KO.