Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen: Retirement Shouldn't Be on Sonnen's Radar

Athletes are supposed to retire on a high note.

After getting beat down by Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen couldn’t be lower right now. If The American Gangster hangs up the gloves before another bout, he’ll regret his decision without a doubt.

Sonnen talked a big game heading into UFC 148 but failed to back it up. While he got off to a phenomenal start, proving that he belonged in the octagon, The Spider was just too much.

Silva recorded a TKO in the second round. But as much as Sonnen’s critics are pushing for his retirement, the outcome of Saturday night’s match says far more about Silva’s greatness than Sonnen’s ability as a fighter.

Matt Erickson of the USA Today reported that UFC president Dana White talked about Sonnen’s domination of Silva in the first round of the fight. He said:

"

When Anderson has gone in the past against strong wrestlers, like Dan Henderson, that's what the first round looked like—Chael got him. I said it before the fight and I'll say it again—Chael, not only does he talk a mean game, he goes in and fights, man. He said he wasn't afraid of Anderson Silva, and he went in and he fought Anderson Silva like he wasn't. Anderson Silva came out in the second round and did what he did.

"

At this point in his career, Sonnen is far too talented to retire on a loss. Sure, he’s 35 years old, but he hasn’t lost a fight to anyone besides Silva since early 2009. He’s still 5-2 in his last seven fights.

If Sonnen is officially washed up, he should retire. But I don’t think anyone in the right mind would label him as such. Sonnen has a handful of strong fights left in him and should pick the right spot and retire on a note that will leave him with no regrets.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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