Former UFC middleweight title contender, Chael Sonnen has announced that he’s moving up to 205 pounds to take on former champion, Forrest Griffin on a yet to be announced card on December 29th, as well as adding he wants to earn his way to a title shot in the division.
Speaking on FUEL TV’s ‘UFC Tonight’, Sonnen said:
“A number of years ago, I fought with a guy who turned out to become a very good friend of mine, and I lost the match. Since becoming friends and competitors with him, I’ve also become a fan. I watched him win the world championship. I watched him etch his name in stone as a guaranteed future Hall of Famer. … He’s the one guy Jon Jones hasn’t fought. He’s beat two world champions in his last three outings.
I get very frustrated that Forrest’s name is left out of the conversation. This is a guy who’s beat everybody, and he’s never been in the talks to fight Jon Jones. He’s coming off a fight with Tito Ortiz, one of the most decorated light heavyweights of all time – a Hall of Famer. They go out and have a ‘Fight of the Night,’ an awesome performance, and still, he gets overlooked.”
Sonnen implied that his sights are set squarely on Jones’ title – but that he wanted to earn the opportunity.
“I could go up to 205 and I could take Jon Jones’ belt the same as I could take his candy on Halloween – a little punk kid, I’d snatch it away all I want. But there’s something to be said in sportsmanship for earning your shot. And on the 29th of December, I’m going to go through Forrest to do it.
Sonnen was last seen in action at UFC 148 where he lost his much anticipated rematch with middleweight champion, Anderson Silva. Prior to that he’d picked up wins over the heavy handed duo of Brian Stann and Michael Bisping.
As for Griffin, he has won three of his last four fights inside the octagon with victories over Tito Ortiz (twice) and Rich Franklin. A loss to Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 134 in the only blemish on his record during that time.
Loading ...
