Middleweights Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann targeted for UFC 136 in Houston



Middleweights Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann targeted for UFC 136 in Houston | MMAjunkie.com

"Of all the targets at which Chael Sonnen (25-11-1 MMA, 4-4 UFC) has aimed, the toughest one may be ahead.

Not long after a bout with Lyoto Machida was nixed, sources today told MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) that the onetime middleweight contender will stay in his division and is targeted for a meeting with Brian Stann (11-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) at UFC 136, which takes place Oct. 8 at Toyota Center in Houston.

Verbal agreements are in place for the bout, though contracts haven't been signed.

Sonnen previously has taken aim at Machida on Twitter, which has led to intense rumors about a fall fight between the two. That matchup, however, was shot down this morning, as MMAjunkie.com reported.

Sonnen was freed to fight exactly one week ago after serving a suspension handed down this past May by the California State Athletic Commission. The commission issued an indefinite suspension after determining that the fighter had given inconsistent statements about his testosterone-replacement therapy this past December in an appeal of a one-year suspension that was issued in the wake of his UFC 117 loss to Anderson Silva (which was later halved to six months). The commission also cited his conviction earlier this year on one felony charge of money laundering when handing down the suspension.

It is unknown whether Sonnen will apply for a therapeutic-use exemption with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which will oversee the Oct. 8 event.

Stann, meanwhile, is coming off an impressive TKO victory over former World Victory Road/Sengoku champion Jorge Santiago at UFC 130. Prior to that, he stopped Chris Leben with strikes at UFC 125. The fast-rising contender and former WEC champ has now won five of his past six fights, and the lone defeat came to top contender Phil Davis before Stann's move down from light heavyweight."

 

I LOVE this match-up. I hope Stann puts Sonnen to sleep. Won't be easy, but he can do it, and he's the perfect good VS evil opponent for Chael. Can't wait to see how calm, cool and collected Stann handles Sonnen's smack talk.

 

ALL of this^^^

 

YouTube - ‪Fight Day: Jason Mayhem Miller Interview at UFC 132‬‏

 

Will be interesting to see if Stann can bring up his ground game to deal with Sonnen's TD onslaught. Also will be telling if Sonnen's off the small ball juice how he performs, how tenacious he is or isn't, how he deals with Stann's stand-up, etc. Or will he somehow be on the test again and it'll go to another hearing?

I'm tired of this low test crap. When you get old, it happens, tough sh*t. If you have small balls, you'll run faster and sustain less damage from low blows. It's an advantage, I say!

 

some more CHEAL right here with Ariel backstage at UFC 132...ahvent watched it yet...gon get to it in a min...

Backstage With Chael Sonnen

 

That is some funny ish. Tell you what, he's nothing if not an entertaining interview.

I think he should be a fight commentator, it'd be hilarious.

I wonder if he beats on Stann for 2.5 rounds, then Stann knocks him the eff out, if he's going to say "You call that a WIN?!!...A guy throws one good punch, and you call him a WINNER?!!!"

 

Cheal "The Human Circus" Sonnen...hes deff entertaining...oh dear lol

 

would ya look at that...TUF 14 VIDEO preview



Video: Sneak peek of "The Ultimate Fighter 14" | MMAjunkie.com

 

Good chin on Njokuani's opponent.