Silva vs. Sonnen: The Spider Won't Struggle to Win in the Rematch

Yes, Chael Sonnen is a tough matchup for Anderson Silva. Yes, he took him to the limit the first time the two fought. Yes, he's perfectly capable of beating the Spider.

But no, he won't beat him. In fact, Silva will win this time far more easily than he won the last match.

Let's get the whole cracked ribs and testosterone conversations out of the way right off the bat. I don't care about either. All I care about is what will happen when these two men step into the ring this time.

This is what I think about that.

Chael Sonnen could finish Anderson Silva off despite five rounds of dictating the fight. Anderson Silva is capable of finishing off opponents five seconds after they make a mistake.

Silva will know what to expect this time around and will prepare accordingly. He'll know that Sonnen won't fight scared, won't shy away from attacking Silva and will desperately try to get inside his guard.

Silva is now aware that Sonnen's style is what gives him trouble. He knows he can't assume he'll dictate the fight's pace or rhythm. He'll adjust. He's far too talented not to learn from the first bout, and far too versatile not to incorporate and execute those lessons into his game plan.

I don't think this fight can go the distance. Sonnen's either going to have to knock him out or risk catching an elbow or falling prey to a Silva submission in the later rounds. If Sonnen thinks he can pound away and earn the decision, he's mistaken.

And that will be his downfall. Knowing he needs the knockout, he'll get sloppy at some point. He'll give Silva an opening. In that one, brief moment he lets his guard down, Silva will finish the fight.

That's the difference between the two. Sonnen is a very good fighter whose style matches perfectly against Silva, thus giving him a chance.

Silva is arguably the most dominant fighter of all time who only needs the smallest of opportunities to floor an opponent.

Sonnen will make it a fight. But in the end, Silva will win.

Again.

Hit me up on Twitter—my tweets want Dwight Howard to just get traded already, too.