Paulo Filho vs. Chael Sonnen
This is going to be a very good rematch between Paulo Filho and Chael Sonnen. Their last fight back in December 2007 ended in a big of controversy. Sonnen was in an armbar by Filho, which the referee stopped, but Sonnen said he did not tap. Look for this to be an exciting rematch not going the distance again.
Paulo Filho (16-0) will be going into action for the first time in 2008. This rematch was scheduled to happen in March, but Filho had to pull out due to personal problems. Filho had checked himself into rehab, suffering from depression and chemical dependency.
Filho is undefeated and is the current WEC middleweight champion. Filho is an excellent Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo practitioner. He has 7 submission victories out of his 16 wins. He has no problem working off his back and will catch you in a submission.
Filho is tired of hearing Sonnen say he did not tap in their last fight and will try to do it once again. Josuel Pistak, Filho’s coach was quoted saying, “We’ll give Sonnen a rematch, because he keeps saying that he didn’t tap and all those things, and now Paulo will keep hurting him until the judge tells him to stop”.
Chael Sonnen (20-9) is an excellent wrestler and two-time NCAA wrestling champion. He is very well rounded and has a tremendous heart. He was slated for a rematch against Filho at WEC 33, but took on Bryan Baker after Filho pulled out of the fight. Sonnen went on to beat Baker by an impressive unanimous decision, putting him back in the seat to fight Filho as the number one contender.
In the first fight between the two, Sonnen was domination the majority of the fight. Sonnen made a mistake in round two and gave up his arm on the ground to Filho, where he was submitted by an arm-bar. Sonnen says he did not tap, but later said it was the right call the referee made.
Although Filho was being dominated in their precious fight, I believe we will see the champion he is. I am going with Filho and a second round submission victory.
