Report: Wanderlei Silva vs. Chael Sonnen Will Finally Happen In 2017

One of the greatest MMA rivalries of all-time that never led to a fight…

To say Wanderlei Silva and Chael Sonnen have a history would be a massive understatement. Sharing an intense rivalry that started during the run-up to Sonnen’s first fight with Anderson Silva, the two were booked in to coach The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3. ‘The Axe Murderer’ was offended by Sonnen’s comments about Brazilians, and the two had faced off many times before they coached on TUF. Approaching the highly anticipated climax in 2013, the two brawled in a memorable scene on the Ultimate Fighter set.

Moving from UFC 173, to the TUF Brazil 3 final, and finally to UFC 175, the bout between Wandy and ‘The American Gangster’ would never materialize. Instead their beef was dispersed following a string of failed drug tests by Sonnen, and a controversial avoided dope screen in the case of Silva. Sonnen would receive a two-year ban by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, but Silva would get hit with a lifetime ban by the NAC. Finally in 2016, both men would be free to fight again. ‘The Axe Murderer’ had his lifetime ban overturned and was released from his UFC contract.

Paths Will Cross

Signing with Rizin Fighting Federation, Wanderlei Silva will look to settle an old feud with Mirko Cro Cop in December. Close partners with Rizin and also keen acquirers of UFC legends, Bellator MMA got their hands on Chael Sonnen. The gangster from Oregon will take on Tito Ortiz in January of next year, and here’s where the plot thickens. Bellator CEO Scott Coker says Wandy is still furious at Sonnen, and the two will finally meet in the cage next year! Via MMAMania:

“Since Bellator contracted Chael Sonnen, believe me, we’ve been getting texts and calls from Wanderlei saying that he wants that fight. So, I think you’ll see that fight some time in 2017 for Bellator. Wanderlei is still pissed about what happened between them and he wants that fight. It’s something personal for him. Honestly, I don’t really know what happened to make him that compelled to fight Chael, but I can tell you that he is not happy with what happened between them.”

“That’s going to be a fight where everybody stops whatever they’re doing to turn on the TV to see the fight. As we all know, that fight has been building for a number of years and they couldn’t work it out, but now I feel the timing is perfect.”

The Saga Continues

Many memories and classic moments already exist between Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva. Unfortunately for Bellator, due to Zuffa copyright they won’t be able to use any of those confrontations to hype the fight. The saga will come to ahead in 2017, as Wanderlei Silva and Chael Sonnen’s paths will cross after six years of waiting.

Go Bellator!