Chael Sonnen shines at UFC 109
Chael Sonnen took the fight to Nate Marquardt at UFC 109. From the bell, Sonnen put Marquardt on the canvas and stayed on top of him in a bruising assault. Marquardt looked stunned by Sonnen’s strategy and despite fighting well from his back, could not overcome the barrage. Marquardt threw a vicious elbow while on his back and opened up Sonnen’s head causing blood to pour out. So much blood came out both men turned a lighter color of red. It was lucky the fight wasn’t stopped.
“He knocked the heck out of me,” Sonnen said. “He knocked me out with a flying knee. He nearly choked me to death in the third round. It was a miserable experience. I’m glad it’s over.”
However, living up to the name of the UFC 109′s “Relentless” title, Sonnen would not be denied. Sonnen controled most of the fight on the cage floor and despite a final desperate and powerful choke by Marquardt near the end of the fight, Sonnen held on and scored a decision. The upset over Marquardt, considered the 2nd best fighter in the middleweight division, puts Sonnen in line for a title shot in the near future.
Damian Maia is fast becoming a top contender in the UFC’s middleweight division after another thrilling takedown and submission in the first round over veteran Chael Sonnen. Maia is also reportedly training on his striking with the legendary Wanderlei Silva, however his most devastating weapon is his Brazilian Jujitsu. Maia is a two-time world BJJ Champion and his prowess was on display again in UFC 95 in another submission victory (Triangle Choke).