Can Chael Sonnen Really "Lose" The Fight Against Anderson Silva?

UFC 117 features a main event with Anderson Spider Silva and Chael Sonnen. 

The question that is looming in my mind is:  Can Chael Sonnen Really "Lose?"  I see it this way….

Chael has nothing to lose and everything to gain in the fight with Silva. Every MMA fan knows the ‘Spider” but much less is known about Chael Sonnen.  If Chael takes the fight to Anderson Silva, forcing him to fight, he comes out on top – win or lose.  Fans want to see Silva in a battle that is very different from his last two stand-up comedy routines.  If Sonnen makes the fight “exciting” or puts Silva in danger of losing, it will reignite the fire that the fans once had for Silva or perhaps ignite a new fire in Chael Sonnen.  If he wins the fight, it would be one of the biggest upsets in MMA history (very much like Serra – St. Pierre fight). 

Silva’s real competition in the past has come from excellent wrestlers such as Dan Henderson and Travis Lutter.  Chael Sonnen is undoubtedly one of the best wrestlers in MMA.  If you doubt this, watch the Sonnen/Marquardt fight or the Sonnen/Okami fight again and all doubt will be removed. 

I don’t think Chael (or anyone else for that matter) can stand and out-strike Anderson.  I am pretty sure that Chael has no plans to stand and bang for 5 rounds (theoretically) with him.  I think we will be hearing Sonnen’s corner calling out the words “take him down” for the duration of the contest.  I don’t believe we will hear the words “let him back up” from the aforementioned corner.

Anyway, MMA fans have been wanting someone to test Anderson Silva for a while now.  I’m pretty sure Silva himself would like this as well.  I’m not sure Sonnen is the right candidate but if he brings the fight to Silva and makes him work to retain his belt he will be come out on top, regardless of who leaves with the belt.