-
Brett Okamoto, ESPN Staff Writer
The UFC will induct the first chapter of Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen‘s historic rivalry into its Hall of Fame later this year.
Silva and Sonnen met for the first time in August 2010 in the main event of UFC 117 in Oakland. It was one of the most anticipated fights of Silva’s historic middleweight title reign, in large part due to a constant stream of trash talk from Sonnen during the buildup. Interest remained high despite the fact Silva, who was the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world at the time, was a massive favorite.
Sonnen shocked the world for 23 minutes, dropping Silva with strikes twice and dominating him on the floor. A former collegiate wrestler, Sonnen gained top position in all five rounds and never gave it up. Panic set into Silva’s corner, as his team animatedly begged him to turn things around.
With less than two minutes remaining, Silva surprised Sonnen with a triangle choke from the bottom. Sonnen tried to roll back out of Silva’s guard but ultimately tapped, handing Silva his eighth title defense and one of the greatest comebacks in UFC history. At that time it was, by far, the most adversity Silva had faced in the UFC.
The two went on to meet again at UFC 148 two years later in Las Vegas. Silva knocked out Sonnen with a knee to the chest, after Sonnen tripped while trying to throw a spinning backfist.
It is the ninth fight to be inducted into the UFC’s Hall of Fame. Silva was also inducted into the Pioneer Wing in 2023.