Can Chael Sonnen's Trash Talk Really Backfire?

For some reason people think that all of Chael Sonnen's trash talking is going to backfire shortly after he steps into the Octagon opposite Anderson Silva this Saturday at UFC 117.

I disagree.

Let me start off by saying that I'm completely not sold on the idea that Sonnen will win this Saturday, yet I'm fairly certain that his trash talk can only work out for the better.

Let's start off with the actual in-Octagon consequences of his trash talk.

Some people out there think that Silva might decide to exact some punishment in the cage.

It's certainly possible that Silva decides to do this, but Rich Franklin didn't really talk any trash talk at all, and he still wound up requiring reconstructive surgery. So Sonnen faces that danger either way.

Yet, if Silva does get mad, maybe it will make him a bit more aggressive, and open him up a bit more for takedowns. If that happens, then Sonnen's given himself a better shot at winning the fight.

So as far as the in-Octagon application of trash talk is concerned, he's got little to lose, and possibly can gain some sort of mental advantage.

As far as the repercussions outside the Octagon are concerned, again, there really isn't a downside.

Sonnen doesn't mind being the villain, so he won't be upset if people aren't cheering for him. What he does care about is selling himself as a fighter.

If history is any indication, trash talkers wind up getting paid no matter whether they win or lose.

If you need proof of this, look at Tito Ortiz, who fans still want to rematch Liddell even though he's already been knocked out by him twice.

Sonnen's marketability won't suffer through a loss to Silva, and in fact, the trash talking may still raise it.

On the crazy chance that Sonnen some how pulls off the upset, people will see it as Sonnen "calling his shot" or some such nonsense, and he'll take on some sort of strange legendary status within MMA culture.