I always thought this was the fight Anderson should avoid, even before he fought Chael the first time. Even if he wins he gets roughed up a bit in the process and loses his aura of invincibility.
He agreed because he had no choice. He got his ass kicked. He didn't want the fight. And obviously, he still doesn't want the fight. I'm sure a phantom shoulder injury would have delayed the second fight, to the point where Chael would have to fight someone for the interim title.
Most fighters have to work they're way back to a title shot after losing by submission/stoppage, it's not like it was a controversial decision. Yes Anderson did ger beat up for 4 1/2 round, but he still WON, and he won by making Sonnen QUIT. If Sonnen had anything behind the millions of pitter patter punches he through from guard he'd have put Silva away before the sub, but he didn't, oh and whoever believes that Anderson has turned down the rematch 4 times is a moron, Sonnen hasn't even fought twice since the first fight (and :rofl you actually believe what comes out of Sonnen's mouth). If Dana wants it, Dana will get it. So now he can work his way back like anyone else. 2 fights before your rematch, having been beat and banned previously isn't to shabby if you ask me. Like has already been said if Sonnen hadnt been banned for 14 months then maybe this fight would've already happened, and at very least it would be next. Sonnen has nobody but Sonnen to blame at the minute. If you want my opinion on how a rematch will go I think the sooner it happens the better Anderson will perform, by delaying it Father Time can catch you at any time. But if theres one thing we've seen, an angry Anderson is a very, very dangerous man.
Sonnen Silva II will never happen. Tbh if I was the longest reigning champion in the UFC and had been thrown around for 25 minutes by a guy that turned out to be on PED's, I wouldn't give him a rematch either. I think Anderson will stall for time for a bit longer then retire.
