The King of Trash Talk: Chael Sonnen declared victorious by Jim Rome in 2012 Smackoff

Chael Sonnen stepped into a realm that he is not unfamiliar with this week, and came out victorious. Appearing on The Jim Rome Show, Sonnen participated in Rome’s annual Smackoff against five other ranters, winning the competition with his endless creative smack talk.
However, Sonnen did not win the contest by utilizing his go-to targets of Anderson Silva and Brazil, in fact he did not mention them at all. Instead he went to the well and created a new rant, touching on many subjects in the sports world.

Chael Sonnen talks his latest training methods, led by "Stone Cold" Steve Austin

Last week we saw a rare calm interview with Chael P. Sonnen. This week he is back to his fight-promoting ways. In this video excerpt from TSN’s “Off the Record,” Sonnen explains his personal trainer from his last 3 fights, former WWE champion “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Apparently Sonnen asked Austin for advice when he was heded down to Brazil as public enemy number one, somthing that has since been changed with his bout versus Anderson Silva now in Las Vegas, NV. Of course Sonnen adds his own theatrics to

Hector Lombard requests drug screen prior to UFC debut

Hector Lombard has wasted no time in making headlines after signing with the UFC. After the former Bellator Middleweight champion immediately called out UFC champion and pound-for-pound great Anderson Silva last week, it was announced that he would be fighting the always-tough Brian Stann in his promotional debut this summer. The fight has the makings of a blockbuster match and will be a tough test for both Lombard and Stann. Hot off the heels of that announcement comes an unusual statement from Hector

Hector Lombard will face Brian Stann in his debut at UFC on Fox 4

After recently calling out Middleweight champion Anderson Silva, new UFC competitor Hector Lombard has already found himself with a new opponent. Lombard will face Brian Stann in a battle of two fast-paced and aggressive strikers. Tentatively scheduled for the August event of UFC on Fox 4, the bout should gauge how ready Lombard is for top-level UFC competition. Dana White answered a question about the fight with a confirmation via Twitter.com:

@scottyp0806 yup
— Dana White (@danawhite) April 29,

With Rio de Janeiro out of the question, UFC 147 moves to Minas Gerais, Brazil

After much debate the proposed stadium setting of Engenhao in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil has been officially ruled out. In it’s place, Belo Horizonte in Minas Gerais will serve as the location, at the  Estadio Jornalista Felippe Drummond. Dana White had high hopes of reaching upwards of 80,000 fans in a soccer-stadium setting as Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen continue their colossal rivalry. However, a much-publicized conflict with the previously scheduled UN conference on Sustainable Development

Michael Bisping: I will beat Chael Sonnen in a rematch for the title

 
Recently, UK MMA star Michael Bisping came out with a bold claim. Never known to be the most soft-spoken of fighters, he believes that Chael Sonnen will indeed best Anderson Silva in Rio (or wherever the fight actually happens). He will then beat Sonnen in a rematch upon being given an immediate title shot. Bisping lost a hotly-contested bout versus Sonnen on UFC on Fox 2 earlier this year. Some thought he won the fight, others vehemently denied this. Bisping was quoted with the following via

Ed Soares says Chael Sonnen is an idiot, but he is promoting the greatest MMA fight of all time

Ed Soares has come out with a plea for Brazilian fans in Rio de Janeiro on June 23, 2012, for UFC 147. Soares, the manager of UFC Middleweight champion, Anderson Silva, wants the fans to know that he knows how they feel, but has bigger plans in store for Sonnen. Many have speculated that the physical health of Sonnen would in jeopardy in Brazil, a country that he has created a great deal of highly-publicized smack against. Soares had the following to say today:
“Hopefully people will understand

Dan Henderson was promised a title shot "months ago," has no interest in fighting Chael Sonnen

Light Heavyweight veteran Dan Henderson, who was last seen in action defeating Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in November, confirms reports that he is, in fact, next in line to challenge for the Light Heavyweight title, and discusses a potential rematch with Middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva. Henderson says that though he would be interested in a rematch with Silva, it is the only fight he wants at 185-pounds.

Rich Franklin hoping for another run at the Middleweight title

Rich Franklin has not fought in the Middleweight division since 2008. That will all change on July 7 when he meets Cung Le at UFC 148, which is scheduled to take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
While fight at Middleweight, Franklin captured the UFC title, defeating Evan Tanner at UFC 53. He would defend the title twice, knocking out Nate Quarry and beating David Loiseau via unanimous decision. Franklin would lose the title in his next bout, falling to Anderson Silva at the 2:59 mark of

Compustrike: Strikeforce Overeem vs. Werdum by the numbers

Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum was one of the most anticipated bouts of 2011 and unfortunately the event did not live up to the hype. We’ve all heard the saying “styles make fights” and last Saturday was a perfect display of that. It was clear, Fabricio Werdum wanted to keep the fight on the ground, and Alistair Overeem wanted to keep the fight on the feet. Similar to Anderson Silva’s fights with Demian Maia and Thales Leites (minus the dancing) a big chunk of the fight was spent with Werdum doing the