Why You Should Respect Chael Sonnen

On Saturday night, Chael Sonnen will fight Anderson Silva for the UFC Middleweight Championship belt.

Sonnen tested positive for high levels of testosterone after the first fight, but he was eventually cleared of any wrong doing. At the same time, Sonnen was also caught for money-laundering. He was suspended for two years. Normally, I wouldn’t root for this kind of character but there is something to Chael Sonnen that intrigues the public.

He demands your respect. He has guts. He truly isn’t afraid of Anderson Silva and he has launched himself into the spotlight to make sure everyone knows.

Sonnen walks around with a fake UFC belt, proclaiming he is the UFC Champion. He tells the world that he is the best fighter on the planet. He makes comments about his opponent’s personal life.

Still, the man has intentionally raised the stakes for himself. That is something no other challenger was willing to do.

If Sonnen loses, he will be humiliated. Everyone will know that he was a phony. Everyone will know that Anderson was really better. He will be remembered in history as the guy that Anderson Silva beat.

My guess is that many fans of the sport would have to admit that they could not willingly step into Chael Sonnen’s shoes at this moment.

That, in my opinion, is worth a bit of respect. There are enough cowards in the world. It is time that at least one man did what he said he was going to do.