UFC 136: Sonnen vs Stann: Will the Winner Be Granted a Title Shot?

Houston, TX—UFC 136 will take place at the Toyota Center in Houston, TX. This card is expected to feature the rubber match between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard, as well as Jose Aldo vs Kenny Florian. The newest story coming from this card is the new addition of Brian Stann and Chael Sonnen.

Chael Sonnen has not competed since his defeat to Anderson Silva at UFC 117, due to suspensions which are now finally lifted. Chael, in his time off, has stayed active in training and has helped other camps out, as well as called out literally the entire country of Brazil. 

Love him, or hate him he is still a top contender and with this time off it may have hurt his stock, but he has a chance to re-solidify it by facing new top contender "All American" Brian Stann.

Brian Stann is a former WEC light heavyweight champion, and is on a three fight winning streak (all at middleweight). Stann came to the UFC when the WEC dropped its larger weight divisions and he went 2-2 as a light heavyweight, losing his debut to Krzysztof Soszynski and his final fight at light heavyweight to Phil Davis. 

Since dropping to middleweight, Stann has put together a three fight winning streak, which have all been finishes (two TKO, one submission). His last two wins have been against top contenders Chris Leben and Jorge Santiago. Those wins have now set him up with a chance to truly be in the title hunt, but would a win actually guarantee him a title shot?

If Chael Sonnen wouldn't have been suspended, odds are he would've been granted another shot at Anderson Silva. He hasn't fought since then, but in reality, he is in a good position. The top guys under him were: Vitor Belfort, Yushin Okami, Nate Marquardt, Damian Maia, and Michael Bisping. Belfort and Okami were already in position, Belfor lost and we will know in a little over a month how Okami does.

Marquardt was cut, Maia lost, and Bisping is already lined up with a fight for later in the year. So, in all reality, Sonnen and Stann are the top guys in line, with Munoz working his way to the spot as well.

Most likely, with a win Sonnen will be granted a shot at the winner of Anderson Silva vs Yushin Okami at UFC 134, while in Stann's case, the only way he would get a shot is if he defeated Sonnen in a very impressive fashion.

Stann is the power puncher with very questionable cardio, while Sonnen is a wrestler with great cardio and good striking that usually sets up his takedowns. At the moment it is a hard fight to call, but odds are Sonnen should be the favorite due to the fact that he has the experience and the better overall skills.

Be on the look out for some impressive trash talking in the months leading to this fight, you will not be disappointed.