Chael Sonnen Considering Move to Light Heavyweight

[Kickass32]

Chael Sonnen Considering Move to Light Heavyweight




By Ariel Helwani - Video Reporter and Writer

Jul 12, 2012 -

Look out, UFC light heavyweights, the gangster from West Lin, Ore., might be coming for you next.

Just days removed from his second middleweight title loss to Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen told FUEL TV's UFC Tonight on Thursday that he is considering moving up to light heavyweight in the near future.

"When you get stuck in this spot that I'm in, and again, Anderson Silva could announce his retirement any day, but there's also a major opportunity for a fresh start by simply switching weight classes," Sonnen said. "That's something that's very common historically that guy's have done, you know, my mentors Randy Couture and Dan Henderson have done that, and that's something to look at, as well."

Sonnen has fought at 205 pounds earlier in his career. In fact, he lost to Renato "Babalu" Sobral at light heavyweight in his UFC debut in 2005. Since then, he's fought exclusively at 185 pounds and has gone 13-5 in the process.

The 35-year-old Sonnen lost to Silva via second-round TKO this past Saturday night at UFC 148, and while he admitted to already thinking about the move, he said he needed a little more time to digest the loss to Silva first.

"Give me a couple of weeks," Sonnen said. "I'm not trying to make any claim or put myself in any corner. There's some great guys at 185. and that's not what it's about, but traditionally and historically [changing weight classes] is a very good way to get a fresh start and kind of rejuvenate your career."

Watch the interview with Sonnen below.


http://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/2012/...ht-heavyweight

[Rich Davie]

It sounds like Chael is taking a page from the UFC history books and following the same path that Rich Franklin took after getting his ass handed to him by Anderson Silva twice.

I don't believe that this is a good move for Chael, or any MMA fighter that's in his mid-thirties who has primarily been fighting in a weight class more suited to his build & size for the majority of his MMA career.

[Kickass32]

I think he can be succesful at 205, but not against the elite 5 or 6 in the division....can we begin the Sonnen/Machida feud now???

[AaronP95]

i cant see sonnen being able to hang at 205, rashad, jones, lyoto, hendo would definately take him, then theres the younger guys like gustaffson who i would say could probably beat him also, i would also say he is more likely to suceed at WW, but i cant see him dropping. Stay at 180! Silva has to retire eventually

[BluenoseGreig]

I think if Chael was to move up to LHW, it would end up very similar to Franklin. He would be pitched into exciting fights but never really against the top guys as he just would not be able to contend with them, it would lead to him wanting to make the move back to MW as Rich has done.

[Rich Davie]

Exactly.

[Dirty Daley]

I just dont know with him , I know he has been pretty damn good at mw recently but i have my doubt's because he only has his wrestling. As shown in the past , he has lost pretty easy to guy's with well rounded games , he has progressed himself over the years but a guy like rashad or quinton , bader ect , guy's with good wrestling games can really shut chael down. He would have lost to bisping if his wrestling didnt save him. Only time will tell , i just dont fancy his chances against a phil davis not to mention a guy like vera with good striking and wrestling. Bad move if you ask me , i would like to see him ddo well there.

[Washed Up]

Chael is the number 2 in the MW division, and I don't think that would change anytime soon...

[BluenoseGreig]

I just dont know with him , I know he has been pretty damn good at mw recently but i have my doubt's because he only has his wrestling. As shown in the past , he has lost pretty easy to guy's with well rounded games , he has progressed himself over the years but a guy like rashad or quinton , bader ect , guy's with good wrestling games can really shut chael down. He would have lost to bisping if his wrestling didnt save him. Only time will tell , i just dont fancy his chances against a phil davis not to mention a guy like vera with good striking and wrestling. Bad move if you ask me , i would like to see him ddo well there.

Brandon Vera? That is one fight Sonnen wins easily! I take your point on Rashad and Bader, but Rampage is a win for Sonnen too! Still, there is no point in him moving up to LHW.

[Rich Davie]

Chael is the number 2 in the MW division, and I don't think that would change anytime soon...

Does this mean Chael is the shit in the MW division !