Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen had one of the most heated rivalries in UFC history. Years later, they parlayed their history into an immense amount of respect, and even created a long-lasting friendship.
Silva and Sonnen competed twice in the UFC for the middleweight title, with “The Spider” getting stoppage wins in both — including a remarkable, come-from-behind submission win in their first meeting at UFC 117 in August 2010.
The two historically connected fighters shared the combat space for a third time in June 2024, competing in an exhibition boxing match in Brazil, this time going to a no-decision draw after five rounds. Silva was expected to face another two-time UFC opponent in Chris Weidman as part of November’s originally slated Jake Paul vs. Tank Davis event, which ended up being postponed. Paul now faces Anthony Joshua tonight in Miami, with Silva taking on former UFC welterweight champ Tyron Woodley on the main card after an injury scratched Weidman from the bout.
Silva recounts the experience facing Sonnen in a boxing match, and why he was excited to fight Weidman again.
“Well, it was so amazing, brother,” Silva told MMA Fighting. “It’s so interesting because the people never [expected] to [see] Chris or Chael fight [in] boxing, and the guys changed the game, and keep working and keep [proving] the difference between love and [not loving] the sport, this combat sport [game]: When you love, you do it. And [if] you don’t love, you never see the fighters again.
“And I respect Chael a lot. He’s my friend. He’s an amazing father, he’s an amazing family guy, and I respect him a lot.”
Silva and Sonnen’s UFC rivalry continued on after their memorable first fight and they competed in a rematch at UFC 148 in July 2012. This time, Silva finished Sonnen with strikes in Round 2 to earn his 10th successful middleweight title defense. During their rivalry, Sonnen was not only a competitive enemy of sorts to Silva, but also to Silva’s home country of Brazil.
As time went on, and Silva and Sonnen’s relationship shifted from enemies to friends, the 50-year-old Silva saw an opportunity for Sonnen and Brazilian MMA fans to mend fences.
“It’s amazing because sports do that, martial arts do that for us,” Silva explained. “I’m so happy because I [fought] with Chael two times [in the UFC], and when I accepted the exhibition fight in Brazil with Chael, I [was] so happy because Chael came to fight with me in Brazil, and the people, the Brazilian fans can see how Chael is a good man. He’s not a bad guy.
“And this [perception of him] changed completely and a lot of people now know Chael — the real Chael — and this is so amazing. It’s fantastic.”
For Silva, adding a more heartfelt chapter to his story with Sonnen was important, and it would’ve been a poetic way for him to call it a career. However, Silva says there’s more to show — especially to current and future generations of fight fans.
“It’s interesting because, when you have one fight, you think only about one,” Silva said. “You don’t think about the other fight or this or that. You take the time for every single fight you have. And at the moment, I [had] the fight with Chris [set], and with Chael [in Brazil], I’m saying, this is two men that changed the sport. And a lot of people, doesn’t matter how much time [passes], the people go see this fight with Anderson Silva and Chael.
“This helped the new generation to see real fighters, and the people continue to see watching Chael and I. Chael helped me to change my life, and I helped Chael change [his] own life. And this is fantastic. This is amazing, brother.”
