• UFC news

Sonnen gives Anderson Silva 24 hours to accept fight

ESPN staff
October 15, 2011
Chael Sonnen wants to avenge his defeat to Anderson Silva © Getty Images
Enlarge

Chael Sonnen has handed Anderson Silva a 24-hour deadline to accept his offer of a rematch.

Sonnen stood in the centre of the Octagon at UFC 136 to call out middleweight champion Silva, who was sat in the crowd. The American stated that defeat for Silva should mean he leaves the 185lb division, while defeat for Sonnen spells an exit from the UFC.

The pair have already fought once, back at UFC 117, when Sonnen dominated four rounds of their title fight. In the end, though, he finished a loser after the champion locked on a late submission.

Now the pair look set to clash again, although Silva's manager Ed Soares recently insisted it is the champion - not the challenger - that calls the shots. The general belief of the Silva camp is that Sonnen has had his chance, and he tapped.

If the fight is to happen, it may have to be confirmed in the near future, with Sonnen seemingly ready to retract his challenge - perhaps in favour of a bout with another man he loathes: Vitor Belfort.

"Anderson, you've got 24 hours to accept my offer," Sonnen tweeted. "I suggest you take it, my next one won't be quite so nice."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices