Today’s UFC media conference call did nothing other than confirm one fact UFC fans all the way around the world already knew – that these guys are bitter and hate each other badly enough to make this bout personal.
Fans may be used to hearing classic soundbytes coming from the side of the American, Sonnen, but this time around, it was the Brazilian ‘Spider’ that sounded off on exactly how he feels about his championship opponent:
“I’m going to break his face and every tooth in his mouth,” Silva said through his interpreter and manager Ed Soares. “I know he’s on the call listening to this and playtime is over. There’s no more talking from him. I’m going to beat him out of the UFC. I’m going to make him pay for everything he’s said about me, my family and my country. I’m going to beat him maybe like his parents should have to teach him some manners. I’ll teach him those manners myself.
“No more sh** talking from him. Chael Sonnen’s going to get his ass kicked like he’s never gotten his ass kicked before. What I’m going to do inside the Octagon is something that’s going to change the image of the sport, I’m sorry. I’m going to beat his ass like he’s never been beaten before. This is going to be violent and I am sorry. I’m going to make sure that every one of his teeth are broken, that his arms are broken and his legs are broken. He’s not going to be able to walk out of the Octagon by himself. I can guarantee that. He will need a plastic surgeon afterwards.”
Chael would later chime in, seemingly unimpressed by the definitive verbal statement the champion launched at him.
“People can’t understand why I’m not getting caught up on the hype of Anderson Silva,” Sonnen said. “He can’t take the magazine covers and press stories into the Octagon with him. He’s just a man with two arms, two legs – and I’m going to beat him on July 7 because I want it more than he does.
I don’t need anything in my life – but I have to have that belt. Everything I’ve done, everything I’ve worked for and sacrificed – everything I have in life – I would give it all away to be the UFC champion for just one night.”
Taken aback by both fighters, UFC president Dana White chimed in with his own current thoughts regarding the UFC 148 main event.
“I’ve promoted every Anderson Silva fight since he’s been in the UFC in 2006, and I’ve never heard him talk even remotely like this. He is usually so respectful and doesn’t say anything negative or disrespectful. I’ve never heard Anderson talk like this once – and I’ve never heard Chael be so sincere about how bad he wants to win this fight and what it means to him to be the UFC world champion.”
With all legit heat and emotion in this one, UFC 148: Silva vs. Sonnen should easily be one of the UFC’s highest grossing PPV’s of the year, and possibly all-time.
Now will the main event live up to advanced billing? Seems like there’s a good chance of that given today’s words.
What do you guys think? And who wins this time around?