Chael Sonnen Considering Move To Light Heavyweight

[No More Sorrow]

Following his second loss to UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen may give it another go in a new division.

Taking a cue from Rich Franklin, who also suffered two losses to the champ, Sonnen is considering a move to light heavyweight.


Sonnen, who suffered a second-round TKO loss to Silva earlier this month in a highly anticipated UFC 148 main event, spoke to FUEL TV about the possibility.


"The is simply an option to start over by changing weight class," Sonnen told "UFC Tonight's" Ariel Helwani. "My mentors have done it, and it could happen. I would go up to 205. Jon Jones. There are some great guys at 185, but traditionally and historically, it is a good way to get a fresh start and start over."


Jones, of course, is UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who's been just as dominant as Silva in his recent title run.


Franklin, who only now is returning to middleweight after nearly four years at light heavyweight and catchweight bouts, also had hoped to reinvent himself at 205 pounds. And like Franklin, UFC officials may also encourage the marketable Sonnen to make the move. After all, with a crowded title picture, Sonnen is unlikely to get a third Silva meeting anytime soon, and UFC officials probably wouldn't want him picking off would-be middleweight contenders in the meantime.


However, Sonnen admits to a desire for a third meeting with Silva.


"If I had the chance to fight him again, I would definitely take it," Sonnen said. "I am appreciative of him and of [this] chance he gave me to fight him again and the first time. I was very good for Anderson, but Anderson was very good for me too."

It'd be easier fighting around his normal weight, he drops a ton of weight to make 185. It'd be interesting and would bring in some fresh fights.

Maybe, Sonnen-Evans, Or Sonnen-Machida.

 

[Chase]

LHW would be a good division for Sonnen. He has the wrestling, which most standard LHW have. Reach is not a question for him, so really it could be a good move, or a bad one. Sonnen vs Machida, Forrest, and maybe Jones would be interesting fights.

 

[Deezy]

Good, now Machida can finally give him a beating.

 

[The Cork]

Yeah, don't like this idea at all.

He doesn't have KO power and his wrestling advantage is negated by most 205-ers being equally great wrestlers.

Honestly think he'd be an also-ran.....Rashad would be too quick, Machida too smart, etc etc. Even gatekeepers like Lil Nog would tap him fairly easy.

 

[Slim]

Sonnen/Evans would be interesting for the wrestling... but Evans got the KO hands. Machida... mannn that might not be pretty. Sonnen could be over his head moving up.

 

[No More Sorrow]

I'd rather see him at 170 honestly, but I'm alright either way. I just don't think he should stay at 185.