UFC 148: Why You Should Support Chael Sonnen

There has never been a more polarizing figure in the UFC than Chael Sonnen.

His smooth talking, rhythmic flow of insults and relenting pace in combat separates Sonnen from every other fighter that has ever put on a pair of four-ounce gloves.

While he doesn't hold as impressive of an MMA record as legendary champions such as Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones and his next opponent, Anderson Silva, he's made just as big of an impact.

Sonnen can talk the talk better than anybody in the business, and he always finds a way to back it up inside the Octagon.

Which is one of several reasons for you to support Sonnen in his highly anticipated rematch against Silva at UFC 148. These are the rest.

History Would Be Made

With a victory over Silva on July 7, Sonnen will make history.

No man has ever defeated Silva in the UFC, and after winning 14 straight fights in the company, Silva has lifted his legendary status from great to greatest of all-time.

Obviously, any man who beats Silva will be creating history, but it would be so much sweeter to see Sonnen be the one to do it. After all, if it wasn't for Sonnen, would fans still be so interested in Silva?

Following his lackluster performance against Demian Maia at UFC 112, fans were calling for Silva's throat, but then came along the "people's champ." Sonnen generated an immeasurable amount of hype for his bout with Silva at UFC 117 that those very same fans were ready to see Silva put Sonnen in his place.

It's like Sonnen is Silva's Joker and Silva is Sonnen's Batman. Silva does everything by the book with honor and respect (minus humiliating Maia and his mask staredown with Vitor Belfort), while Sonnen creates chaos through his wildly entertaining interviews and pre-fight banters.

So who better to end Silva's reign other than his greatest adversary?

The Entertainment Factor

The reason Sonnen is the most polarizing figure in the sport is because of the entertainment he provides.

Through his hilarious remarks about some of the most respected fighters in the sport, Sonnen turned his fair share of heads, with most of them being Brazilian.

Is a man that makes fun of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in front of the Brazilian people, who already want him served on a silver platter I might add, at a UFC 148 press conference perfectly sane?

What's so great about Sonnen is yeah, he is. He knows exactly what he's doing, and he's the absolute best in the business when it comes to generating hype for his fights, especially when they're against Silva.

So take a moment and envision a Sonnen victory at UFC 148. The post fight interview with Joe Rogan would undoubtedly be the best we've ever seen from a newly-crowned champion, and the following interviews with multiple media outlets would be the start of something truly special.

That special something would be a UFC champion with the ability to create excitement with his words.

Future Title Fights Would Generate More Hype

If Sonnen defeats Silva, the UFC will finally have a champion that can not only bring it in the ring but bring it in interviews and press conferences.

Not since Tito Ortiz was the light heavyweight champion has there been a UFC champion create feuds with their trash talk. Seriously, think about it. Some might say Brock Lesnar could, but the only time he said anything quotable was when he was hot-headed following his destruction of Frank Mir.

Then, others might point out that Rashad Evans, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Mir were fairly decent talkers as champion, but really, no they weren't. Evans' best trash talking was done with Jackson, Jones and Ortiz, and that was before and after he became champion. His short stint as champion saw no verbal action because he was going against Lyoto Machida.

As for Jackson and Mir, they had their moments, but it wasn't anything special. The only champion you could really make a case for is B.J. Penn, and even his trash talk seems elementary compared to Sonnen.

With Sonnen as the middleweight champion, you better believe he will do everything he can to call out the Wanderlei Silva's and Vitor Belfort's of the world. It would be a complete 180 from what we're used to seeing from Silva.

A Rubber Match

My two favorite words in combat sports is rubber match.

Just as recently as three weeks ago, Strikeforce lightweights Josh Thompson and Gilbert Melendez reminded us just how fun a third fight between two evenly matched fighters can be.

With Silva pulling off the win in the first fight via triangle and Sonnen reigning victorious on July 7, a rubber match would be highly demanded.

Sonnen and Silva is quickly turning into one of the most memorable rivalries in the sport's history, and the rivalry can't end with them splitting victories.

Picture a circumstance where Silva, who happens to be nearing the end of his career, has to get back on track following a loss to the man he dislikes the most.

With the way the UFC hands out immediate rematches and because of how glorified Silva's career has been, the trilogy fight could be made at UFC 148's post fight press conference.

But if Silva beats Sonnen twice, dreams of a third encounter can be tossed aside.

Sonnen's Real Story

Sonnen is a fight promoter first, but don't let that fool you.

I'd say 99 percent of the flamboyant comments and outlandish behavior in press conferences is nothing but a show. He simply knows how to sell himself to the public, and it's obviously worked out in his favor.

But the real Chael Sonnen wants to beat Silva not for the accolades that come with being champion; rather, he wants to win this one for his father.

Before his fight with Paulo Filho in the WEC for the middleweight championship, Sonnen promised his father on his death bed that he would become world champion.

Sonnen has yet to fulfill his promise, but with another shot at Silva for the UFC middleweight championship, he can make good on his vow. Sonnen came one minute and 50 seconds short of accomplishing his goal at UFC 117, but with the same scenario at hand, it's redemption time for him.

Beating the greatest fighter alive for the most coveted belt in combat sports could very well be Sonnen's destiny.