UFC on Fox 2 Results: 5 Things We Learned About Chael Sonnen

In the midst of the UFC's second installment on Fox, Chael Sonnen once again out-shined his opponent inside the cage.

His three-round unanimous decision over striker Michael Bisping has secured him the chance to settle the score with Anderson Silva later in 2012 for the middleweight title.

While many would argue that the UFC wanted Sonnen to win this fight by any means necessary, mostly due to his promotional appeal headed into a rematch with Silva, the powerful wrestler still held up his end of the bargain Saturday night.

He used top-notch cardio and excellent wrestling to press a one-dimensional Bisping to the brink of defeat.

But beyond the eventual visual stimulants of watching Sonnen once again face off against the man who gave him his only loss in the past three years, here are the top five things we learned about the No. 1 middleweight contender.

5. Mark Munoz Would've Landed Some Bombs

Middleweight contender Mark Munoz was originally supposed to be the man who faced Chael Sonnen at UFC on Fox 2, but injuries derailed his opportunity to make himself a household name.

Munoz is by far one of the most powerful strikers in the division, if not the best. His KO victory over Chris Leben showcased that talent more than ever. With that in mind, it's fascinating to see how Sonnen fared against Michael Bisping Saturday night. 

While Bisping has proved over time that he's in fact one of the most well-rounded stand-up specialists in the division, his power and short punch ability completely fail in comparison to Munoz. 

The Brit landed some significant shots on a seemingly surprised Sonnen, so we can only imagine what Munoz would of done.

It may not mean anything now, but if Munoz would've fought on Fox then it could have produced the only KO on the main card.

4. His Cardio Is Top-Notch

If there's anything to immediately take from Chael Sonnen's victory over Michael Bisping at UFC on Fox 2, it has to be the title contender's unmatched cardio.

We all knew that Sonnen came into his fights in tip-top shape, but we've never really seen him win a fight solely on his conditioning. 

That happened Saturday night.

Following two rounds of trading punches with Bisping, as well as getting pinned up against the cage himself, Sonnen was forced to simply outlast the international MMA star over the final five minutes.

Well, he did just that. 

Sonnen may have been in the best shape of his life and there's no reason why he won't be even more conditioned entering his bout with Anderson Silva.

3. He Shouldn't Be Labeled a Finisher

I don't think Chael Sonnen was ever really considered a solidified finisher in the Octagon, but after Saturday night there's no chance he'll ever be mentioned with Anderson Silva, Mark Munoz and Wanderlei Silva in that regard.

There's two main reasons why he doesn't really possess the fight finishing abilities that other fighters in the middleweight division do.

One is his wrestling. Evident in his victory over Bisping, Sonnen uses takedowns and close-range wrestling to smother his opponents for the majority of the fight, taking away from his potential to secure a KO or submission.

The second reason is his punching power. Sonnen doesn't really have serious power in his hands, despite being a powerful guy. There's a reason why he doesn't own a KO victory in his professional career.

And despite his recent submission of Brian Stann at UFC 136, Sonnen still hasn't done much to change our minds about his finishing potential. Just look at his loss to Anderson Silva.

The proof is in the pudding.

2. He's Still Arrogant

There's a reason why the UFC felt inclined to showcase Chael Sonnen on Fox.

He's a showman. Plain and simple.

Sonnen has become the clear-cut best trash talker in the UFC, despite being relatively unknown just three years ago.

His brash comments before fights, at weigh-ins and inside the cage after his hand is raised, often prove that a slick-tongued fighter can gain popularity solely by opening his trap.

Luckily for Sonnen, he has backed it up inside the cage.

And with a rematch against Anderson Silva on the horizon, Sonnen's now-infamous quotes, slang and publicly personified demeanor will be at an all-time high.  

For Sonnen's sake, let's hope he can back it up one more time. 

1. He Is Who We Thought He Was

There's no hiding what Chael Sonnen brings to the Octagon every fight.

His predictability is and always will be, well, predictable.

Sonnen's inability to out-strike any middleweight on the feet in the past has simply made the No. 1 contender one-dimensional. However, despite his lack of KO power, Sonnen's wrestling is simply too good to overcome.

Following his victory over Michael Bisping—and due to the fashion in which he did it—we now know that Sonnen is indeed the fighter who we thought he was. 

A powerful wrestler with great cardio, solid takedowns, average striking and a big mouth to hype every minute of his bouts.

While that has gained him recognition throughout his time in the UFC amongst fans and fellow fighters, it may not be enough to surpass Anderson Silva in a rematch for the middleweight title.

Don't look now, but if Sonnen loses to Silva later in the year then he may in fact stick to his guns and retire (hopefully not).

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