The fast talking Chael Sonnen (27-11-1) clashes with Michael Bisping (23-3) in the co-main event of the UFC on FOX 2 main card this Saturday night. UFC President Dana White has said that the winner of this fight will get the next shot at Anderson Silva for the UFC Middleweight Title.
Sonnen returned from a one year suspension in October of 2011 with a domination of Brian Stann. Sonnen did not lose a minute of the fight in route to a second round submission victory.
Sonnen was scheduled to face Mark Munoz at this event, however an injury to Munoz prompted Dana White to elevate Bisping to the co-main event.
Bisping has won four fights in a row and five of his last six fights. He last lost to Wanderlei Silva in February of 2010.
Damian Maia (15-3) was supposed to face Bisping on the FOX card, he will now fight Chris Weidman (7-0). Maia defeated Jorge Santiago at UFC 136. Weidman is 3-0 in the UFC with his most impressive performance being a submission victory over Tom Lawlor at UFC 139.
Full fighter profiles:
Chael Sonnen (27-11-1)
Notable wins: Yushin Okami (decision), Brian Stann (submission) Nate Marquardt (decision)
Notable loses: Anderson Silva (submission), Damian Maia (submission)
7 wins via KO/TKO
NCAA All-American Wreslter
Olympic Wrestling team alternate
Strengths: Wrestling, ground and pound
Weaknesses: submission defense
Michael Bisping (23-3)
Notable wins: Yoshihiro Akiyama (decision), Dan Miller (decision), Jason Miller (TKO)
Notable Loses: Wanderlei Silva (decision), Dan Henderson (KO), Rashad Evans (decision)
First British fighter to headline UFC card (UFC 78)
Coached season nine of "The Ultimate Fighter"
Grandfather Andrew was nobility in Poland
Strengths: Boxing, take down defense
Weaknesses: lacks KO power
Damian Maia (15-3)
Notable wins: Dan Miller (decision), Chael Sonnen (submission), Jorge Santiago (decision)
Notable loses: Mark Munoz (decision), Anderson Silva (decision)
8 Submission victories
5X "Submission of the Night"
Has a degree in journalsim
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt
Strengths: Grappling, submissions
Weaknesses: Striking
Chris Weidman (7-0)
Notable wins: Tom Lawlor (submission)
Notable loses: none
Defeated Phil Davis and Ryan Bader in college wrestling career
Turned pro in 2009
Strengths: Submission
Weaknesses: Inexperience