Despite all the junk Chael Sonnen has spewed regarding middleweight champion Anderson Silva, most of the 3-to-1 underdog’s disses have fallen on deaf Brazilian ears. However, Siva’s manager, Ed Soares, claims Sonnen took things too far during an altercation at the UFC Fan Expo this past May.
“I was walking back to the hotel and Anderson was signing autographs for I don’t know, there was maybe 15, 20 kids around and their parents, and there’s a crowd around him,” Soares told MMAWeekly.com. “Chael walked by completely by himself with his manager, and he says ‘go ahead, sign all those things because in a couple months nobody’s going to want your signature. Nobody’s going to want that.’
“When he said that, it’s in front of kids, it’s the first time that it kind of pissed me off.”
Despite the backlash Silva has received from MMA purists for his last three lackluster title defenses, “The Spider” has managed to remain one of the sport’s most popular athletes. However, his fame isn’t a coincidence, it’s by design. The planet’s baddest middleweight has long served as a worldwide ambassador for the sport, rarely declining an autograph or picture for one of his faithfuls.
That’s why Soares decided to take matters into his own hands, or mouth in this case, and fire off a zinger of his own in defense of his fan-friendly client.
“So we’re walking down the hallway there and I just started laying into him and I go ‘man look at that crowd around Chael Sonnen; you got to have some security!’ because no one was around him,” Soares said. “He was just walking by himself. I’m like ‘man look at those fans going crazy for Chael’ and I could tell he got a little irritated, didn’t say anything.”
While the Team Quest trained fighter may not have been in the mood to exchange verbal jabs at the Fan Expo, he’s more than made up for his silence ever since. Although Sonnen’s non-stop chatter has been fairly amusing, if not ROFLMAO, Soares claims the part-time realtor is just trying to cash-in on the champ’s star power.
“No one paid attention to Chael Sonnen,” Soares added. “Before he started talking about Anderson Silva, have you ever heard of his name in the headlines? No. So this is the only thing that’s getting him publicity. Congratulations, he found something that’s going to get him some attention.”
The arch rivals will collide August 7th inside the Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA.
Sonnen is a troll. I can’t wait to that smug little snot gets his face beaten in. I really hope AS takes his time and punishes that wrestling monkey.
Dave commented on July 26, 2010 @ 7:46 am
Silva is a pure joke. I don’t know if sonnen can do it, but I sure hope he beats silvas ass.
F Silva commented on July 26, 2010 @ 10:39 am
Silva is a joke how? 12 wins in the ufc…you’re a retard
8_limbs_of_death commented on July 26, 2010 @ 11:18 am
How is silva a joke? Sonnen has limited chance at best. Silva will probably knock him out late in the 2nd round or early in the third and make Sonnen learn to shut his mouth. I like trash talk but Sonnen is taking much too far. I stopped liking Sonnen after he said women should be in the kitchen istead fo fighting in a cage. He is so disrespectful.
Kurt commented on July 26, 2010 @ 11:44 am
Silva’s attitude lately has become a joke and as a result has lost his respect from many of the MMA fans..
Sure he’s a phenomenal fighter, but he needs to get back to his humble ways..
Sonnen is playing mind games to try to get the Champ emotional, this is nothing new, Boxers have been doing it for years..It may work, lets see what an angry Silva can do !! lol
DJ commented on July 26, 2010 @ 12:07 pm
Anderson Silva is a joke? You’re a joke dude!
what did anderson silva do against his last 12 opponents? what did he do with Forrest Griffin,once the holder of Light Heavyweight belt? Anderson Silva is the man!!
filipetx commented on July 26, 2010 @ 12:26 pm
I will concede that Anderson Silva should have fought differently at his last few fights. That said, Silva is a marvelous athlete. I think that Sonnen, with his disrespectful mouth, is just what Silva needs to fire him up. Anderson will beat the taste out of Sonnen’s mouth. ( Silva will knock out Sonnen at 2:47 of the 2nd round-You heard it here 1st !!! )
TURBOKID commented on July 26, 2010 @ 12:44 pm
I’ve known about Chael Sonnen long before Anderson Silva hit the market, so I do not know what Ed Soares is talking about. I knew Sonnen was destined for bright things in his future. Silva took a short cut, but that’s ok.
Soares needs to be addressing Silva’s lack of professionalism in the cage, not commenting on others, hoping to strike a chord. What an imbecile. Now, thanks to Foolish Ed: I hope Sonnen really does do in Silva. I don’t care how he does it, he just needs to get it done.
Let Silva eat crow a while. Perhaps then he can start fighting again. Not this running around the cage, acting like Sho’ Boat Evans. I don’t watch the WWE and that bologna, so I certainly don’t like seeing it in this sport.
fingerssfv commented on July 26, 2010 @ 1:22 pm
What’s with the “retard” comment? Who the fu*k are you? He has his opinion, and you’ve got yours, but comment on the sport, not the writers. Silva IS a joke. He hasn’t put out a decent fight in a long time. His head is so large, that he doesn’t train hard. That’s why he gassed out in the Maia fight. That’s a joke. I’ll tell you one thing (regarding Sonnen and him going too far) I’ll bet you Silva will not jack around during this fight. I bet you. And do you know why? Because Sonnen made sure of that. For Kurt to say he’s gone too far, heck, he has no clue. Sonnen knew exactly what he was doing and did it perfectly. When Kurt finally figures it out, which he may never do, that’s when we see a real Anderson Silva fight. That guy will be fighting for the belt this time. He won’t be dancing much, either. He may try, but if he does, Dana may pull the plug. No one is untouchable. No one.
fingerssfv commented on July 26, 2010 @ 1:30 pm
Sonnen has been around 4 a while,damn good wrestler,but i dont think he should stand with silva,he probably is the best right now but there are holes in his ground game.Sonen’s only chance is to exploit that,or land a lucky punch.I hope sonnen punish’s him 4 a couple rounds,before sylva makes him eat his next 3 months of meals through a straw.
joshua commented on July 26, 2010 @ 2:31 pm
@ fingerssfv Silva took a short cut? So Vale Tudo & Pride days dont count? Dude what the **** are you talking about!?!?
Bob commented on July 26, 2010 @ 3:01 pm
I don´t have any simpathy for Silva nor for Sonnen…but after that I hope Silva will kick Sonnen´s ass badly to shut up his big mouth. that´s all
Michelino commented on July 26, 2010 @ 3:22 pm
Silva is the man in this town, for ALL you haters get use to it cuz his going to beat that fool up so bad he’s the one who’s gona retired… That crazy trash talking don’t even stand a chance against the spider silva!! Get use to it F**** haters!!!
The_Aztec commented on July 26, 2010 @ 4:52 pm
Chael is a big talker, but I think he’s gonna back up his mouth. He’s confident and has my vote for sure! BTW…Despite what the article said, true MMA fans knew of Sonnen before talks of the Silva fight.
theresacasper commented on July 26, 2010 @ 9:29 pm
Silva is a fantastic fighter with unlimited potential and Chael has gone a bit further than I feel he should have by openly speaking out against Anderson in so many ways. However, I hope Sonnen kicks his ass! The last few fights have really hurt Anderson’s reputation and quite frankly, if I were in charge, I would have stripped Anderson of his belt after his last fight. Maybe this can be a wake-up call
Father on an ERA commented on July 26, 2010 @ 10:07 pm
Silva is a fantastic fighter with unlimited potential and Chael has gone a bit further than I feel he should have by openly speaking out against Anderson in so many ways. However, I hope Sonnen kicks his ass! The last few fights have really hurt Anderson’s reputation and quite frankly, if I were in charge, I would have stripped Anderson of his belt after his last fight. Maybe this can be a wake-up call
Father of an ERA commented on July 26, 2010 @ 10:11 pm
u gullable fools u. do u really think silva is as tough as u claim he is? lol. chael will have his jaw wired up? give me a break! since when is silva a fighter who hurts people? the guy has very llittle ko power. belfort on the other hand has plenty. chael is pretty dangerous too with his gbp. silva will be bannged up during his loss against sonnnen.
ben commented on July 27, 2010 @ 12:30 am
you really don’t need knock out power, if you are consistant and also accurate, a person will eventually go down. as for silva’s knee’s, need i say more. sonnen is a joke. he got submitted by maia, did he not???
juneauak commented on July 27, 2010 @ 5:15 pm
Silva will win period, also I hope he use’s the same style he used on Mia. ( and for the haters it’s not called showboating,it’s called MIXED MARTIAL ARTS) Stop critisizing Silva’s last fight, bottom line he won. Dana White and others should keep negative commnents to themselves. How about if we all ban togheter and boycott the UFC until they pay their fighters good money instead of the scraps they get now. Personally I’m tired of Hearing Dana Talk about What he and partners cleared thru gate and pay per view results. Look at what Profesional boxers and WWE stars get paid for live and pay per views, and thats not counting title fights. The fact is MMA fighters risk their lives in the ring, they have house and family bills as well as paying for their traning teams and coaches. They should not have to depend only on sponsors or autograph signing
Howie commented on July 27, 2010 @ 5:53 pm
silva is a bitch. if ww was the weakest division in the ufc, he’d starvin marvin himself to get there. hes a HUGE LHW but skips to fight the weakest division. pfff.
Soares Peanis commented on July 28, 2010 @ 4:25 pm
Anderson silva is a bad dude. I personally want some body to kick his ass. Chael Sonnel might pull the up set but I think the only man in this divison that WILL get the job done is Victor Belfort. Who gives a f__k what the press or anyone else say’s cause most of that is HYPE. “Let The Cage Do The Talking”
kracker commented on July 29, 2010 @ 7:19 am
calling someone a retard because you don’t like what they have to say is really pathetic.
stella commented on July 29, 2010 @ 9:37 am
Is there a rule in UFC against showboating? And who said silva did not fight in his last fight. He literally beat up Maia and did not get touched. That is some skills. However I hope Sonnel gives him a good fight. The Beauty of MMA is that it is so unpredictable. Right now Anderson look unstoppable and Sonnel did talk a lot of crap. i hope he backs it up.
paul commented on August 3, 2010 @ 1:07 am
test
paul commented on August 6, 2010 @ 6:56 pm
Nate Marquardt
Anderson Silva = Knocked him the fuck out.
Chael Sonnen = 3 round decision.
Who has this guy fought that is even remotely impressive? 3 rounds with Nate and getting choked out by Demian Maia? Are you fucking kidding?
James Irvin talked a lot of shit too. And he got his ass royally handed to him. Chael Sonnen? Who the fuck is that? Just another shit talker that will get his ass handed to him.
They are completely out of people to even fight Anderson. Chael is a fucking bum. Just another fucktard that talked shit and will go back to another nobody tomorrow night.
paul commented on August 6, 2010 @ 7:02 pm
Don’t listen to me. I like little boys. I’m fucking stupid.
Dave commented on August 6, 2010 @ 7:03 pm
calling someone a retard because you don’t like what they have to say is really pathetic…..
SO…
12 fights in the UFC. Destroying Rich Franklin, Forrest Griffin, James Irvin (and many others).
SO… saying 1 + 2 = 973?
stella = it’s basic math. Calling someone a joke who hasn’t lost a fight in years, has beat some of the best, etc.
It doesn’t add up.
Saying 1 + 2 = 973 means you’re a retard.
Saying Anderson Silva is a joke means you’re a retard.
stella commented on August 6, 2010 @ 7:13 pm
silva hasnt been putting forth the effort because he is still mad at dana for not allowing that fight with him and the pro boxer. who can blame dana for not wanting that to happen after the mercer vs sylvia fight, making mma look like a joke. so yeah, its kind of a payback thing, why promote something when you get nothing in return, in his eyes.
hccafan commented on August 6, 2010 @ 10:01 pm
I lost respect for Anderson Silva not only through the antics but I wasn’t looking to pay to watch the last few fights. Forrest Griffin was a joke in that fight. Taking the fight on short notice and look at the shape he was in. It kind of reminded me of Tyson and Buster Douglas. Whether it is the spiders antics or the resemblance to boxing’s fixed match ups.
I hate the sport going in the direction and falling inline with charging and promoting every fight as the fight of the century. If this turns out bad this will be the last time I pay to watch. I will choose the other alternatives.
Trinidad commented on August 7, 2010 @ 6:43 pm