The rivalry between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen in the UFC is one of the most memorable in mixed martial arts history. Their fights are notable not only for the action inside the cage but also for the intense drama and trash talk outside of it.
Their first bout was a highly anticipated middleweight championship match back in 2010. Silva eventually won with a fifth-round submission.
In the 2012 rematch, the Brazilian stopped Sonnen with knees and punches at 1:55 of the second round.
The Silva vs. Sonnen rivalry is etched in MMA history for many reasons. It showed the Brazilian’s ability to overcome adversity. For Sonnen, the fights demonstrated his ability to back up his talk with strong performances, even though he ultimately fell short.