UFC 148: Chael Sonnen's 10 Defining Moments

Chael Sonnen is a name that seems to be on the tip of every MMA fans' tongues these days. Whether you're online or watching UFC televised programming, Sonnen's name and face are everywhere. It's a result of creating an alter ego, "Chael P. Sonnen".

Chael P. Sonnen has listed off so many quotes that they could literally fill a dictionary-sized book from beginning to end. One man has become the sole obsession of Sonnen: UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

The two men first met back in Aug. of 2010 where Sonnen dominated the champion until being tapped out by a triangle choke. It has become the defining moment of Sonnen's career thus far, but it isn't the only moment that's defined Sonnen's career.

He's had a lot of moments, both with his actions and words, that have helped establish Sonnen as the second-best middleweight in the world.

Chael Sonnen's Amateur Wrestling Credentials

Chael Sonnen's background in MMA is the result of years spent competing in amateur wrestling. Sonnen became an All-American at the Division I level when he competed on the University of Oregon wrestling team.

Sonnen also placed second, earning a silver medal at the Greco-Roman World University Championships in 2000. He is also a two-time winner of the Dave Schultz Memorial Greco-Roman award.

His accomplishments as an amateur competitor helped make Sonnen not only one of the most decorated wrestlers in MMA, but also one of the best.

Chael Sonnen vs. Paulo Filho I

When Chael Sonnen entered the WEC for a second time, he did so on a five-fight winning streak, which included four stoppages with victories over the likes of Tom Lawlor, Amar Suloev, and Kyacey Uscola.

Sonnen's return bout would come against Paulo Filho for the WEC Middleweight championship. The bout didn't last more than two rounds but was mired in controversy.

Sonnen visibly yelled out while trapped in an armbar which prompted the referee to step in. Sonnen said after the fight he told the referee "no" and didn't want to stop.

The controversy would have set up a rematch, but Filho checked into a rehab clinic prior to the bout. Instead of a fight against Filho, Sonnen defeated Bryan Baker.

Chael Sonnen vs. Paulo Filho II

With all the controversy surrounding their first encounter, a rematch between Chael Sonnen and Paulo Filho was bound to happen.

Originally scheduled to be a title bout, Filho missed weight, which prevented Sonnen from competing for the WEC title. 

The fight was awkward for fans to watch as Filho didn't seem his normal self. Regardless of Filho's mental state, Sonnen took home a unanimous decision, to effectively become the best middleweight in the WEC.

Middleweight Title Eliminator Against Nate Marquardt

An UFC title shot was on the line when Chael Sonnen faced Nate Marquardt at UFC 109. Marquardt is an extremely talented fighter that offered to test Sonnen in every area of the fight.

Marquardt caught Sonnen in two deep guillotine holds but Sonnen was able to survive. Sonnen used his wrestling to pin Marquardt to the mat while unleashing numerous punches.

The fight was fun to watch as Marquardt nearly finished Sonnen twice and landed a nasty elbow. Besides the fact that Sonnen persevered through the blood loss, he also showed the ability to escape deep submission attempts that Sonnen always seems to fall into.

Chael Sonnen and the Microphone

Prior to UFC 117, Chael Sonnen was just a wrestler who could fight well. That all changed when Anderson Silva became the focus of "Chael P. Sonnen."

Weekly sound bytes from Sonnen littered the web pages of MMA websites as Sonnen became an instant hit with the MMA community. Lines about the validity of calling Silva the best middleweight, the idea that Silva speaks perfect English despite using an interpreter.

Not content with just bashing Silva, Sonnen chose to attack Silva's mentors like the Nogueira brothers by saying "A black belt from the Nogueira brothers is like saying I got a free toy in my happy meal."

Numerous Twitter messages would follow as well not only directed at Silva, but the people of Brazil as a whole. It seems Sonnen became one of the best hype-men seemingly overnight.

Chael Sonnen vs. Anderson Silva I

After all the talking Chael Sonnen did in the weeks leading up to his bout with Anderson Silva at UFC 117, Sonnen placed immense pressure upon himself.

Not only did Sonnen meet those expectations, he exceeded them. For the better part of four rounds, Sonnen battered the champion both standing and on the ground. He took the champion down at will and made a point to hit Silva in the face every chance he got.

Sonnen seemed well on his way to collecting the UFC title but again fell victim to a submission as Silva pulled off a miracle triangle attempt. In a matter of seconds, all of Sonnen's hard work was flushed down the drain.

The Beginning of the Tesosterone Replacement Therapy Era?

Although Chael Sonnen put on a masterful performance before falling into a triangle choke, the biggest story emanating from UFC 117 was Sonnen's failed drug test.

A normal testosterone ratio is considered 1:1, Sonnen's ratio was 16:9:1. Immediately steroid accusations were rampant and Sonnen's name was effectively dragged through the mud.

There were miles upon miles of red tape and the suspension hearings became a game of "he said, he said". Sonnen's main defense was the fact he was on testosterone replacement therapy and that was why his levels were elevated.

Sonnen saw not only his name get tarnished but also was suspended by the California Athletic Commission. It became a permanent black eye on the career of Sonnen and began the debate about TRT and its use in MMA.

Trouble with the Feds

Chael Sonnen was, at one time, a political official with a successful Realtor business. As if Sonnen was down on his luck while serving an athletic suspension, Sonnen ran into serious trouble with federal authorities after pleading guilty to money laundering charges.

Sonnen's charge carried with it a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison with a $500,000 fine. But as part of a plea deal along with working with investigators who were looking into a mortgage fraud ring, Sonnen only received two years of probation and a $10,000 fine.

In the end the charge meant very little for Sonnen's athletic career, but became another weapon for Sonnen-haters to use when talking about him.

Return to Title Contention and the Post-Fight Interview Heard Around the World

After serving out his suspension, Chael Sonnen returned to the Octagon at UFC 136. The normally-brash Sonnen was reserved in the weeks leading up to the event as he faced the former Marine, Brian Stann.

Sonnen's respect for Stann didn't stop him from dominating the Greg Jackson product and in a surprising turn of events, Sonnen used his jiu-jitsu skills to submit Stann.

The victory was dominant but clearly was outdone by the post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. While speaking with Rogan, Sonnen laid down a WWE-style challenge to Anderson Silva where whoever lost would be forced to leave the division or leave the promotion as a whole.

Silva was still recovering from injuries, so Sonnen faced Michael Bisping to keep himself busy. Originally scheduled to meet Mark Munoz, Bisping stepped in on late notice to face Sonnen at the UFC on Fox 2 event in Jan.

After three entertaining rounds, Sonnen found his hand raised and earned his rematch with Silva. With all the pressure in the world on Sonnen's shoulders, the Oregonian performed admirably in realizing his goals and walking the walk along with talking the talk.

The Rematch

Chael Sonnen earned a rematch with Anderson Silva after defeating Michael Bisping, and fans must be extremely excited about the two men finally fighting each other once more—and also for Sonnen's trash-talking.

Of course Sonnen needed some new material this time around and perhaps made the biggest splash by insulting Silva's wife.

"You tell Anderson Silva I'm coming over and I'm kicking down his backdoor and patting his little lady on the ass and I'm telling her to make me a steak, medium-rare just how I like it." (MiddleEasy.com)

Silva has been remarkably reserved when dealing with Sonnen's continuous taunts but that pent-up aggression will no doubt come out in their clash at UFC 148. Even if the first fight never occurred this bout would be a huge fight for both men, fans and the UFC.

When you add in all the drama from the first fight to what's happened since, you have a recipe for perhaps the biggest fight in UFC history, outside of Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar.

If not that, then certainly the biggest rematch in the promotion's history.