Chael Sonnen Chokes out Shogun 1st round

Heading into his UFC Fight Night 26 showdown with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua on Saturday night in Boston, Chael Sonnen said he was expecting a long an unpleasant evening.

It was anything but.

Sonnen started quickly, immediately shooting across the Octagon to put Shogun on the mat, but the Brazilian brought the fight back up and then, surprisingly, planted Sonnen on the mat.

Sonnen, however, escaped to his feet, only to turn the tide again, clinching with Shogun and tripping the former UFC light heavyweight champion to the canvas. He smothered Shogun for the next few minutes, grounding and pounding him.

Just when it looked the round might play out that way, Shogun regained his feet again. This time, Sonnen managed a standing guillotine choke, felt that he had it sunk in, and dropped to the mat, tightening the hold.

Shogun tapped out at the 4:47 mark.

“Tonight’s fight is dedicated to (my grandma and my friend), who are in a battle much bigger than Shogun and I did tonight,” said Sonnen after the fight. “For anybody else who has had to go through cancer or anything like that, this is for you.”

Sonnen’s emotions ran the gambit, however, as he unleashed a bit of poetry and then zeroed in on another Brazilian fighter.

Sonnen had shown a tremendous amount of respect for Shogun leading up to their fight, but he reserved none when taking aim at his next bullseye.

“Wanderlei Silva, six feet tall and 205 pounds, boy, until I met you, I didn’t know they could stack crap that high,” he declared.

“Wanderlei Silva, three months, you and the bad guy.”

Do you work for Fox Sports??? That was pretty much word for word and I am stoked Chael won!!! Awesome display of controlling the fight and staying aggressive, was a beautiful fight to watch...same with the Overeem knockout!!! I give him one more fight before they show him the door...maybe 2. Faber had a flawless fight once he gained control...showed that he is still the one to beat.

Thanks for this baby, was a great day of fights! Can't wait for the new season of the Ultimate Fighter with Rousey & Tate coaching, previews looked like the women have some game!!!

My Husband Fuzo went crazy when chael won because he likes him alot.He told me when overeem was fighting "watch he is going to get tagged with a front kicked and joe rogan was right and so was Fuzo.As for faber excellent fight my hubby said.

Great wrap-up well done..thanks for posting!

I've been real disappointed w the fights lately