What exactly happened at the moment Sonnen tapped?

I think Sonnen tapped but just didn't want to quit after; basically wanted to get away with it, get a do-over.

 

was a tap for sure, like his body knew it was time to tap, but his heart didn't want to admit it

 

It looked to me like a Chris Benoit situation where Anderson Silva didn't want to release the hold.

 

yeah...the ref was a little passive on the stop, and i don't blame him for holding on until he was sure it was over

 

sonnen panicked that's why he tapped at first but shortly after, played it as if he didn't tap when he realized the arm bar wasn't that bad...

 

I think it was a reflexive, almost involuntary tap out.

His body instictively knew it was time to tap, but in his mind and his heart, he still wanted to fight on and ride the last couple of minutes to victory.

 

I have to agree with Toto, it looked like he panicked and when Silva lost the technique a little he though "****! why did I tap right away?" And dont be telling me that Silva let go because he was cranking that arm for a good 5 seconds.

 

Sure was.. What a exciting fight from start to finish.. Sonnen landing those straight punches makes you wonder how Silva could take a clean shot from Belfort.

I'm still new to this sport.. But what do you all think brought on the submission hold? To me, Sonnen seemed to have slowed it down right before Silva slipped that left leg over his head. Make CS got a little too comfortable in that last round?

 

What brought on the submission hold was Silva waiting and waiting and waiting for the perfect opportunity for a last ditch effort. Doesnt mean he'll execute but he timed it perfectly and it worked, simple as that. But he sure was thinking about that for the last two rounds or so since it was obvious he cant avoid no takedown.

Belfort might connect but I tell you Silva has a chin, he took 5 solid punches from Sonnen and he didnt react at all. He had his hands down. Chael is not a puncher but he put Silva down because Silva didnt see it or it was unexpected. He'll be ready for Vitor. Again I hope Vitor pulls it out but you cant pick against Silva in a stand up. Even when Chael was connecting, you felt that if it keeps exchanging he'll get KTFO.

 

Glad to see some people like myself seen Silva win by Armbar and not Triangle where its reported everywhere else.

 

Right on.. Someone last night posted that they had seen the sub comming for the past two rounds, but all I saw was his legs wrapped around Sonnen

Funny how that only opportunity for a sub can turn out to be you're last, these elite MMA are one helluva fighters whether it be on you're feet, back or on top.

 

You do that sometimes, he tried hard in the first two but it was becoming telegraphed or it wasnt working. People would sometimes play possum that he doesnt have the energy or the desire to apply the technique again then boom! it worked. Like Jimmie says it was the arm plus Sonnen "OH ****" that made Chael tapped but that triangle was the key hold.

 

He tapped, just like he did versus someone else who I can't remember. That time he screamed and tapped. He did what a fighter does and that is CHEAT. If Sonnen could have got the fight to continue then he would have kept fighting. He tried to pull a fast one. It's no different then a boxer pretending he didn't get his bell rung/knocked down.

 

this