UFC 148: Power Ranking Chael Sonnen's UFC Fights

A few years ago, the name Chael Sonnen only rang a bell for a few MMA fans. Some knew him from the WEC and some just knew him when he started fighting on the main card of UFC events. Either way, nobody knew they'd be looking at a future star.

In possibly the quickest rise to stardom in MMA history, Sonnen's personality has made him an almost instant household name with the majority of MMA fans. 

If his trash talking abilities aren't enough for you, he's also a pretty amazing fighter.

It seems many fans only know about his classic fight with Anderson Silva, but Sonnen didn't just walk into the UFC and receive a title shot. Sonnen actually has fought a total of ten times inside the Octagon and will make his eleventh appearance on July 7th in a rematch with UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva.

Before all the focus is put on the rematch, let us take a troll down memory lane with a ranking of Sonnen's past UFC fights.

10. UFC 60: Jeremy Horn

Sonnen had already fought and lost to Jeremy Horn twice in his MMA career. In Sonnen's third appearance in the UFC, he'd once again taste defeat against the veteran.

Sonnen was defeated at the 1:17 in the 2nd round by submission via armbar, and wouldn't compete again in the UFC until nearly three years later. 

9. UFC 55: Renato Sobral

Chael Sonnen would make his UFC debut in October of 2005 at light heavyweight against Renato "Babalu" Sobral.

Sonnen's debut didn't go as planned, as he was defeated by submission via triangle choke at 1:20 in the second round.

8. UFC 95: Demian Maia

After Sonnen's first exit from the UFC, he went on to win seven of his next eight fights. He reentered the UFC on a hot streak.

Jiu-Jitsu ace Demian Maia would end that streak, as Maia was able to catch and submit Sonnen via triangle choke at 2:37 in the first round.

7. UFC 98: Dan Miller

Following his loss to Maia, Sonnen's next bout was against Dan Miller, who had won nine of his last ten with his one non-win ending in no contest.

Sonnen would emerge victorious by unanimous decision, handing Miller his first defeat in three years.

6. UFC UFN 4: Trevor Prangley

Chael Sonnen's first UFC win was against Trevor Prangley in Sonnen's return to the middleweight division.

Sonnen would bloody and dominate Prangley, winning by unanimous decision.

5. UFC 104: Yushin Okami

Chael Sonnen's true coming out party in the UFC was his bout against Yushin Okami at UFC 104.

Okami, who was 7-1 inside the Octagon, was considered by many to be on track to get a shot at the UFC Middleweight Championship. Sonnen didn't allow that to happen.

Chael out-wrestled the powerful Okami and would secure a unanimous decision victory over the Japanese fighter.

4. UFC on Fox 2: Michael Bisping

Sonnen's most recent fight was a title eliminator against the former Ultimate Fighter winner Michael Bisping.

Bisping, who was riding a nice four-fight win streak, stuck right with the former title contender, but in the end, Sonnen would emerge victorious once again.

Sonnen would earn a hard-fought victory by unanimous decision and would earn another shot at Anderson Silva and the UFC Middleweight Championship. 

3. UFC 109: Nate Marquardt

Many had already penciled in Marquardt to receive his rematch against Anderson Silva, and all he had to do to reserve his spot was defeat Chael Sonnen.

Marquardt was unable to do so, as he was out-wrestled by Sonnen and was also on the receiving end of some vicious ground-and-pound.

Sonnen would defeat Marquardt by unanimous decision, earning his first shot at the UFC Middleweight Championship. 

2. UFC 136: Brian Stann

Following the loss to Anderson Silva, Sonnen failed his post-fight drug test and was suspended for one year.

On his return, he was scheduled to face U.S. Marine Brian Stann, who since dropping to middleweight, was undefeated.

Sonnen would put on one of his best performances to date. He won his return bout by submission via arm-triangle choke at 3:51 in the 2nd round.

1. UFC 117: Anderson Silva

How many times can you say a fighter's best performance came in a loss? For Chael Sonnen, that is the case.

His build-up for the Silva fight alone was enough to gain the attention of millions of MMA fans around the world, but Sonnen's performance inside the Octagon was truly impressive.

Anderson Silva has simply looked unbeatable in the UFC, but was coming off an embarrassing performance against Demian Maia, where Silva would just dance around the Octagon and would not attempt to engage. Dana White said post-fight if Silva ever did that again, he would be cut from the UFC.

Sonnen made sure Silva didn't repeat that performance, as he rocked the Middleweight Champion under a minute in the first round. Sonnen used excellent wrestling, top control and ground-and-pound to control Silva for over 23 minutes in the fight.

Late in the fifth and final round, Silva took advantage of possibly his last opportunity to retain his belt when he threw up a desperation triangle choke that ended up being successful.

Silva defeated Sonnen by submission at 3:10 in the fifth round to remain Middleweight Champion, but the damage was done and Sonnen had become one of the top fighters in the world.

Chael will have a chance to avenge this lost when he faces Anderson Silva for the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 148 on July 7th.