“I don’t want his autograph. I want to spit on him. I want everything that he has. I’m jealous and I’m envious. And I would never apologize for that,” explained Sonnen of Silva in a recent interview with MMA: 30. “There can only be one champion, and you have to fight it out. He’s not gonna give it up. I’m not going to give it up. We’re going to have to fight this thing out and figure it out like men.”

The two talented 185ers will settle their score on July 7 at UFC 148. The meeting will mark the second time the two have fought with the first involving Silva’s infamous submission of Sonnen in the fight’s final few minutes after clearly losing the four previous frames.

Sonnen expects a different result this time around, and not just because he plans to win but also because he’ll be entering the match-up with a new nugget of knowledge. According to Sonnen, who explained away the loss as only he could, he simply didn’t realize tapping in the last round of a title-fight ended the entire affair rather than cost him a single stanza.

“If anyone had explained to me that that stops the fight in its entirety, I would not have tapped. … I’d never been in a five round fight, I just didn’t know,” said a stone-faced Sonnen, stating he was under the impression he would go home with the belt based on a 4-1 score.

Silva has fought twice since their original outing, picking up a pair of stoppages against Vitor Belfort and Yushin Okami. Comparably, Sonnen is also 2-0 with a submission of Brian Stann and razor-thin decision over Michael Bisping.

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“Chael Sonnen talks alone,” said Silva, in an interview with TATAME. “I don’t like him. He disrespected my country, my family; so there’s nothing like it.”

While Silva was upset the bout had to be moved from Brazil to Las Vegas, he plans on taking out that frustration on Sonnen.

Silva said he is, “disappointed” that the fight won’t take place in Brazil, but added, “to me it doesn’t change much, I’m fighting anyway.”

Silva and Sonnen have met once before, with Silva scoring a fifth round submission after being bruised and battered by Sonnen through the four preceding frames. The two were set for an immediate rematch, but Sonnen ran into some outside-the-Octagon problems and had to earn his second shot at Silva after a year away from the sport.

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A visibly upset Silva expressed disappointment over the decision but made it clear he would perform as expected. Sonnen shared his sentiments, stating he’d hoped to be part of a show with record-breaking attendance and was looking forward to beating “The Spider” in front of his fellow countrymen.

“My plan was to come here, take your money, my new belt, and go back to America. But instead I’m gonna have to wait. I’m gonna have to stomp him on July 7. And that’s exactly what I’m gonna do,” spouted Sonnen after hyping the match-up as being “the biggest fight in the history of combat.”

The move in venue was forced after the United Nations scheduled a conference in the days preceding UFC 147 (where the two were originally set to scrap), straining Rio de Janeiro’s resources to the point an event so epic was no longer feasible.

On the bright side, while Silva-Sonnen II has been pulled from the June 23 lineup, the organization is looking at putting featherweight king Jose Aldo’s next championship defense on the card. The show will also feature Wanderlei Silva fighting Vitor Belfort, as well as Fabricio Werdum in action against Mike Russow and the finals of TUF Brasil.

As it currently stands UFC 148 is arguably the company’s deepest card to date with other scheduled bouts including Tito Ortiz-Forrest Griffin, Cung Le-Rich Franklin, Michael Bisping-Tim Boetsch, Dong Hyun Kim-Demian Maia, and Dominick Cruz-Urijah Faber.

Watch the full press conference below including the customary face-off between opponents:

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

As you might expect, Sonnen handled the question in typical Sonnen-fashion.

“I am shocked. Really? That blows me away. What’s next, you’re going to tell me a UFC ring girl got naked for a few bucks? You are blowing my mind,” Sonnen quipped. “I don’t believe it. That’s like telling me that (Alistair) Overeem was positive. I mean, convincing me of that is like convincing me that Roy Nelson is clean. I’m just not going to believe it. I’m just going to have to see it with my own eyes.”

Sonnen, possibly the most outspoken MMA fighter in history, managed to tie in UFC ring girl Arianny Celeste, Overeem and Nelson into the same statement as Silva. Pretty impressive to say the least.

In more important news, it seems that we’ll find out next Tuesday just where the Silva-Sonnen rematch will take place. The UFC has scheduled a press conference for Rio de Janeiro at which UFC President Dana White will be joined by Silva and Sonnen.

Check out the full Q&A below including Sonnen dissing Silva in a rap, addressing concerns about his entertainment-driven personality, and more:

(Action begins at about the 15:00 mark)

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC/Istoé Gente

Unfortunately, it now appears the match-up may be in jeopardy, at least in terms of taking place in a Brazilian soccer stadium.

Last week it was reported a United Nations conference scheduled in the days preceding UFC 147 would prohibit the event from taking place based on Rio’s inability to coordinate two major events during the same period of time. While talk initially pointed to the show simply being moved back a week or two, Brazilian media outlet O Globo has revealed Silva-Sonnen is not only switching dates but countries as well.

According to the report, the fight will now take place in Las Vegas with June still being targeted. UFC President Dana White, Silva, and Sonnen are all expected to be in Brazil on Tuesday to address the situation at a press conference where more details will likely come to light.

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However, while he may not know who he’ll be fighting next, Henderson definitely has a preference on how things will unfold.

“I think Jon Jones is a better fight for me. His style matches up better. Jones will stand-up with me more. Rashad is real well-rounded. He’ll stand and bang with me a little, but he’ll be trying to put me on my back—a lot more than Jones would,” explained Henderson in an interview with Bleacher Report. “(Jones is) awkward, unorthodox, and a little tougher to figure out…that’s also what intrigues me about it—he’s different.”

Henderson went on to pick Jones in the upcoming bout though made sure to give Evans credit as having more than a slim chance of returning the divisional strap around his waist.

In terms of his 185-pound peers, Henderson made it clear the title isn’t important to him so much as avenging a previous loss to Silva.

“I’m not real keen on fighting 185 right now unless it’s Anderson so if Chael wins, I’d maybe still fight Anderson. Who knows,” Henderson asked rhetorically, shying away from the notion of fighting his Team Quest teammate.

The 41-year old was tapped by the talented Brazilian in the second round of a meeting four years ago despite coming out strong in the first frame. The stoppage is the only of Henderson’s career in the last seven years.

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Now that he’s back at middleweight, the slim possibility of a third encounter with “The Spider” has arisen and, believe it or not, Franklin likes the idea.

“If I was able to put another title run together and the UFC wanted to do another fight with Anderson, I would be willing to do another fight with Anderson,” explained the 37-year old to MMACanada when asked about a final crack at solving the Silva mystery before dropping a bombshell. “And I believe – and this is just because of the champion mentality in my head – but I believe that given another shot, I could win that fight.”

However, just because Franklin is open to the bout doesn’t mean he’s looking past UFC 148 opponent Cung Le or even seeking another shot at Silva unless fate dictates the necessity.

“I’m not moving down to 185 and saying my sights are set on Anderson,” said Franklin. “That’s not what I’m doing here and I don’t want him to get that impression either because I’m not shooting for him. Heck, who knows, between now and then…I don’t know how many fights I’ve got before I would actually make it to the title anyway and a lot of things can happen.”

The first step to even sniffing UFC gold again will come on July 7 when the 28-6 Franklin meets Le. The fight will be the first for “Ace” since losing to Forrest Griffin at UFC 126 more than a year ago due to a shoulder injury keeping him out of action.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

Yesterday the UFC announced rivals Sonnen and Silva would meet on the aforementioned date in Rio de Janeiro. The bout is a rematch of their 2010 battle where Sonnen nearly took Silva’s title by way of decision before a last-minute submission by “The Spider” ended things in the fifth frame.

Both Sonnen and his manager, Mike Roberts, confirmed to MMAFighting a bout agreement had yet to be put in place. Sonnen also added he has a “demand” he wants to include in the deal but remained secretive beyond the basic statement.

Sonnen vs. Silva II is easily one of the most anticipated fights in recent years based on the closeness of their first encounter, an even more impressive feat when considering Silva’s dominance inside the Octagon against all other opponents. Adding to the intrigue, Sonnen has also directed an extraordinary amount of trash-talk at Silva, calling him a coward on multiple occasions in addition to numerous other insults both personal and professional.

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According to an official statement from the UFC, the two will headline UFC 147 on June 23 at Engenhao Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. The card is also expected to feature a long awaited rematch between TUF Brasil coaches Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort as well as the featherweight/middleweight finals from the show’s ongoing season.

Silva and Sonnen originally met at UFC 117 where the latter nearly lived up to the extraordinary amount of smack he spewed leading up to the bout by grinding on Silva for the fight’s first four frames. However, with less than two minutes remaining “The Spider” was able to procure an Armbar-Triangle Choke hybrid and torqued Sonnen to the point of tapping out.

Since their encounter Silva has scored a pair of strike-based stoppages against Belfort and Yushin Okami with Sonnen picking up wins over Brian Stann and Michael Bisping. While nearly two years will have passed since their first fight the middleweights’ bad blood still exists with Sonnen questioning Silva’s heart while bringing up the 185-pound champion’s wife and countrymen along the way.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

“The Spider” is currently 36-years old and has been competing since 1997, meaning the number could just be an exaggeration on his part to show his interest in sticking around the UFC for several years to come. Then again, when it comes to the dynamic Brazilian it seems nothing is impossible.

“I think I still have another ten-year career, but have not discussed my contract with the UFC,” said Silva in an interview with SporTV. “After this fight, I think there are still two or three, I’m not sure.”

Silva and Sonnen is rematch of a 2010 meeting where “The Spider” earned a submission victory over Sonnen via Triangle-Armbar. Sonnen has used the public forum to constantly call out Silva, though the divisional king has ignored his trash-talk for the most part.

When Silva was asked in the interview who he would most like to compete against, he reiterated his desire to face his clone, adding, “I want to fight even with my clone. (That) would be a fantastic fight.” He also pegged Roy Jones Jr., as the one person he would most like to box against if he were to compete inside the squared circle.

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Though Jones is not necessarily looking to scrap with Silva, who he considers his friend and a role-model, he recently acknowledged the possibility in an interview with Brazilian outlet SporTV where he offered up some insight on the matter.

“My job is to be prepared to face the best in the world,” began the light heavyweight king. “I’d rather not deal with Anderson, but if I have to fight him, I will focus on my confidence and on my technique. I respect and look up to him so much. For me, the ideal scenario would be having him as my mentor and learn with him after he retires. It would be great for me. That would be ideal, but the world wants to see us fighting.”

Rather than facing Silva, a preferred option for Jones would be to test himself against a larger opponent instead of one fighting at his regular weight or below it.

“I spoke with Dana White about making a heavyweight fight in 2012 but he said he didn’t consider it a good idea right now,” revealed Jones. “But after beating Dan Henderson, Rashad Evans, and maybe Alexander Gustafsson in 2012, I don’t see what to do in this division, not wanting to disrespect anybody.”

Jones will face Evans in April at UFC 145 with Henderson eagerly awaiting his shot at the winner. Gustafsson faces Thiago Silva next month as well, looking to build off victories over Matt Hamill and Vladimir Matyushenko in hopes of establishing himself as a true contender at 205 pounds. Meanwhile, Silva is set for a rematch with rival Chael Sonnen at some point this summer though no official date has been announced.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

Sonnen, who is scheduled to face Silva for the title later this year, read a letter of apology he’d written for “The Spider” based on all the remarks he’d made in the past about the dynamic Brazilian. However, as soon as the letter concluded, the real Sonnen surfaced once again.

“Anderson, over the last several months, I’ve disparaged your name in an attempt to garner respect and attention for my own. That was wrong and I apologize,” said Sonnen. “I wish no further confrontation with you in the Octagon or through the media. In short, I surrender.”

Sonnen signed off before quickly adding, “P.S. I changed my mind. Anderson, you can kiss my ass.”

Silva and Sonnen are set to meet up this June in Brazil if all the paperwork can be completed for the card to take place.

Check out the complete video Sonnen below:

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

One of the things holding up the highly anticipated pairing from taking place appears to be Silva’s health. Though the dynamic Brazilian has returned to training since injuring his shoulder and back, the 36-year old Silva (who turns 37 in April) recently admitted he still isn’t close to 100%.

“I’m always doing some BJJ training in a gi with the guys so I keep everything well-adjusted, but due to the injuries to my shoulder/back I’m a little slow,” confessed Silva in an interview with Sherdog. “I’m doing physical therapy and nursing it enough so when I’m really back training there aren’t any injuries that hinder me.”

“You reach a certain age where you don’t heal as fast so you have to take your time,” he continued. “I don’t want anything to be wrong when I come back to the real hard training. I’ll continue doing physical therapy until the pain goes away and I’ll keep up the workouts.”

The UFC has targeted June for the title-fight between champion Silva and challenger Sonnen giving “The Spider” another six weeks to heal up before starting a full blown camp.

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“The Spider” was recently shown working out with several of us usual training partners at a gym in Brazil. Also, Silva’s physiotherapist reported that the UFC middleweight champ was 100% and would be back inside the Octagon very soon.

Silva, however, has changed the tune on all that in a recent interview with SporTV, saying, “I’m not sure when I’ll be back. I got an injury in my shoulder and another injury that just happened in my lumbar, so I’m treating myself.”

This could be grave news for the UFC, currently without UFC welterweight ace Georges St. Pierre to a knee injury and just lost former UFC heavyweight title-holder Brock Lesnar to retirement. Both GSP and Lesnar were constant draws in terms of pay-per-view buys and crowds for events. Silva is another fighter who routinely sold out shows wherever he was fighting.

Silva has been out of action since last August when he defeated Yushin Okami to avenge the last defeat of his career. It has been rumored that “The Spider” would face Chael Sonnen or Mark Munoz later this year at a huge stadium show in Brazil. This injury news could put a damper on those plans.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

Of course that doesn’t mean White’s reverence for the match-up’s marketability has changed any as he made clear on a recent episode of UFC Tonight.

“If we can get Chael Sonnen versus Anderson Silva that will probably be held in Brazil in a stadium,” said White. “Everyone in the world will want to watch that.”

A transcription of the UFC executive’s quotes was provided by MMAFighting.

While the venues may have changed it appears the organization’s intentions of filling a stadium with Sonnen-Silva as bait to surpass the 55,000+ in attendance at UFC 129. White has made mention of wanting to put upwards of 100,000 fans in the seats in Brazil, mentioning the overwhelming popularity of the UFC in Brazil relating to their return to Rio this past August.

Heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos has also mentioned his interest in defending his title against Alistair Overeem in Brazil as well, a perfect compliment to Silva-Sonnen II when it comes to potentially selling out a soccer stadium in the South American hub.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

At the present time those plans call for “The Spider” to rest up from a shoulder injury and face the winner of Chael Sonnen-Mark Munoz in 2012. After that, however, it may all be up to Silva.

White, though, wouldn’t mind seeing the 36-year-old Brazilian finish up his career after a few more fights, including a finale bout with either UFC welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre or light heavyweight title-holder Jon Jones.

“He’s probably the greatest fighter in history. He hasn’t lost and has been champion since 2006. I think he has two more title defenses and I do not know what he’ll do next or if he will retire,” said White, in an interview with Brazilian website Alpha. “He could end his career with a super fight against Jon Jones or Georges St. Pierre. He could end his career like that – fight in a different weight class. I would be happy with that. Then he could take a boat and sail into the sunset.”

For Silva, the thrill of fighting seems to continue to drive him. While his body winds down, though, his skill set has not; Silva earned impressive victories over Vitor Belfort and Yushin Okami with relative ease this year.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

Sonnen, who lost via submission to Silva last year, called out the pound-for-pound king following his most recent win over Brian Stann. However, Silva shrugged off Sonnen’s request, stating he didn’t feel the outspoken 185er deserved another shot after only picking up a single win since his defeat but might be willing to reconsider if the bout took place in Brazil.

As chance would have it, stories have surfaced saying the UFC is planning a card in Sao Paulo, Brazil at mid-year in 2012 by which time Silva should be fully recovered from a shoulder injury.

“I accept Anderson. Brazil it is. Now then, about that meal,” wrote Sonnen through the social networking site.

Sonnen’s meal reference was to comments he made concerning Silva’s wife in a past interview where he mentioned going into the Silva house and having her cook him a steak. The comments upset Silva quite a bit, obviously Sonnen’s plan all along.

For now, Silva is on the shelf due to bursitis in his shoulder.

Meanwhile, reports have surfaced stating Sonnen could face Mark Munoz at the next UFC on FOX in January with the match-up serving to determine the top contender to Silva’s belt.

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While appearing on TSN’s Off The Record Wednesday, Michael Landsberg asked Sonnen why he backed off his terms of a “Loser Leaves Town” match with UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva. By his reaction, it was clear Sonnen did not enjoy the tone that Landsberg used and went on the offensive with the host.

“You might want to take the bass out of your tone,” Sonnen replied when accused of reneging on his terms. “I’m not sure you know who you’re talking to here, but I’ve never backed down from anything, so check your facts.”

Sonnen and Landsberg went back-and-forth before the former #1 contender eventually stormed off the stage. Sonnen is attempting to work his way back into a rematch with Silva, having called out the Brazilian title-holder following his win over Brian Stann earlier this year at UFC 136.

Though the UFC is pushing for the rematch no official word has surfaced as to when/if Silva vs. Sonnen II will take place.

Check out the full interview in the video below:

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

Appearing on the Jim Rome Show, UFC president Dana White confirmed that Sonnen would get his rematch, saying, “It’s the fight that everybody wants to see. People want to see Chael vs. Anderson. Anderson is in this position where he feels like the guy is so disrespectful he doesn’t want to give him a shot. But Anderson will end up fighting Chael. The answer is yes.”

After a submission victory at UFC 136, the man with the gift of gab cut a pro-wrestling style promo on the champ, essentially challenging him to a “Loser Leaves Town” fight on Super Bowl weekend. While Sonnen has backed off the stipulations and the fight may not take place the day before the biggest football game of the year, the bout will happen, which is all Sonnen really wanted in the first place.

Following his post-fight victory speech, Silva and his manager Ed Soares were unhappy with Sonnen’s promo and comments about Silva in general. Silva felt disrespected and Soares felt that Chael already had his chance at the title, and should wait back in line.

Sonnen was two minutes away from capturing the UFC middleweight title from Silva at UFC 117, but was caught in a triangle choke in the final round of a fight that he dominated for 23 minutes. Sonnen failed a drug test following the bout and sat on the sidelines for over a year before returning this past October to defeat Brian Stann. Silva has posted two more (T)KO victories since submitting Sonnen to run his winning streak inside the Octagon to fourteen fights.

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Silva, who is rehabbing a shoulder injury, has made it known that he doesn’t believe Sonnen deserves a rematch. However, with his most recent comments, Sonnen may just get the match he so desperately wants.

UFC President Dana White has said he wants to make Silva-Sonnen II, possibly on Super Bowl Weekend, but nothing has been confirmed by either White or the UFC.

Sonnen, while being interviewed by FightHype recently, talked about Silva’s lack of acceptance to his loser-leaves-town stipulation he tossed in. Sonnen said if he defeated Silva, Silva would have to leave the 185-pound division. If Silva were victorious, Sonnen said he would leave the UFC.

“Shocked. He comes from a fighting culture,” Sonnen said of Silva’s refusal to take the bout. “I was blown away that he would insult his entire heritage like that. Behind the scenes, I knew he was a coward, but in a million years, I never thought he would show it publicly.”

Carrying on as only he can, Sonnen also called himself the biggest draw in MMA, saying, “I sell more tickets, more pay-per-views, and more merchandise than any fighter in history. Comparing (Georges St. Pierre) to me is like comparing Kimbo (Slice) to (Muhammed) Ali.”

News of Silva’s future will likely come in the next few weeks after Dan Henderson, also a potential contender, fights Mauricio Rua at UFC 139. Additionally, Mark Munoz called Silva out albeit respectfully after his win last Saturday night over Chris Leben.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC