Chael Sonnen signs to fight Demian Maia at UFC 95 (http://mmajunkie.com/news/13609/chael-sonnen-signs-to-fight-demian-maia-at-ufc-95.mma)

Earlier this week Demian Maia (9-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) issued a statement on his official website that he had agreed to fight former WEC middleweight contender Chael Sonnen (21-9-1 MMA, 1-2 UFC) at UFC 95.

On Wednesday a source close to his opponent confirmed with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that Sonnen, too, had signed a bout agreement to make the fight official.

The middleweight match-up will be a featured bout at UFC 95, which takes place Feb. 17 at the 02 Arena in London, England.

In the night's main event, Diego Sanchez makes his debut at 155 pounds to take on Joe Stevenson.

As for Maia, he returns to action for the first time since a first-round submission win over Nate Quarry at UFC 91 in November. Since debuting for the organization in October 2007, the 31-year-old Brazilian has won all four of his UFC bouts via submission.

UFC President Dana White recently confirmed Maia, who recently won the World MMA Awards "Breakout Fighter of the Year" award, is in the thick of the UFC's middleweight title picture and could soon earn a shot at Anderson Silva's belt.

However, he'll first need to get by Sonnen, who had a three-fight stint with the UFC in 2006. After going 1-2 in the UFC (with a decision victory over Trevor Prangley), the 31-year-old left the organization. Sonnen has compiled a 7-1 record for the WEC, BodogFIGHT and SportFight since his departure from the UFC.

He most recently defeated Paulo Filho via unanimous decision at WEC 36. Although originally slated to be a title fight, the bout became a non-title affair when Filho missed weight by seven pounds.

Sonnen wins

Sonnen wins

In a ***** squeeling contest?

Sure.

Sonnen has very little chance, hell he only beat Filho cuz Paulo literally didnt throw a punch

Sonnen has very little chance, hell he only beat Filho cuz Paulo literally didnt throw a punch

Filho wasn't even there.

If he was, Cael would be screaming like a ***** again.

Sonnen should be embarrassed he couldn't finish Fihlo who was on another planet in their last fight.

Maia will find away to get this to the ground, where it will then only be a matter of what submission he chooses to end the fight with

I really cant believe Sonnan is back in the UFC, even after the sob story wit Filho no one cares about him and I frankly think he sucks, we will see tho cuz anything can happen in MMA

In a ***** squeeling contest?

Sure.

kindly explain to me what Maia can do other than submit guys? yes, he is VERY good at that but for everyone who thinks the sun shines out his wazoo eventually he's going to fight some1 who isn't going to fall into his game.

If Sonnen can stuff Maia a couple of times, it will be Hughes - St. Pierre III all over again.

kindly explain to me what Maia can do other than submit guys? yes, he is VERY good at that but for everyone who thinks the sun shines out his wazoo eventually he's going to fight some1 who isn't going to fall into his game.

That's the problem, though. Chael always falls for that game. The only time he hasn't fallen for it was when his opponent was out of his mind!

And then when the ref stops the match, he complains that he didn't tap out. Even though he's screaming like a ***** when he's getting wrecked.

If Sonnen can stuff Maia a couple of times, it will be Hughes - St. Pierre III all over again.

I don't think so. If Maia can't take him down, he'll just pull guard and work off his back. That's an option Matt Hughes never really had vs GSP, so he was forced to stand.

I don't think so. If Maia can't take him down, he'll just pull guard and work off his back. That's an option Matt Hughes never really had vs GSP, so he was forced to stand.

I'm thinking more along the lines of the way he fought the last time against GSP and Alves. Maia needs to be able to take his opponent down. I doubt sincerely that pulling guard against a wrestler of Sonnen's caliber will be effective. I actually think Sonnen takes this one unless Maia shocks me with some improved stand up.

But Sonnen hasn't faced anyone with the grappling prowess of Maia. Not even Filho has the grappling skills that Maia has. Sonnen's a tough guy and a good MW, but he has always been susceptible to submissions proven by the fact that 7 of his 9 losses have been by submission to guys who are knowhere near the level of Maia. Plus Frank Mir has said a number of times that Maia takes him down and taps him. That is not just phenomenal technique but amazing strength as well, so tapping Sonnen shouldn't be a problem should the chance arise.

Sonnen has very lil chance, I wanna say no chance, but i'll give Sonnen the one percent chance that Maia catchs a stroke before the fight, he's got wat 21 wins and only one of those names is someone with a pulse who fought like they had no pulse. Maia is gonna grab him like a leetch

That's the problem, though. Chael always falls for that game. The only time he hasn't fallen for it was when his opponent was out of his mind!

And then when the ref stops the match, he complains that he didn't tap out. Even though he's screaming like a ***** when he's getting wrecked.

true, but eventually some1's gonna expose Maia, i'm just saying it might be Sonnen. its entirely possible that this will be like every other Maia fight but so is the former. i've never really held ne quest fighter in high regard but there's only so many times you can make the same mistake over and over.

true, but eventually some1's gonna expose Maia, i'm just saying it might be Sonnen. its entirely possible that this will be like every other Maia fight but so is the former. i've never really held ne quest fighter in high regard but there's only so many times you can make the same mistake over and over.

And like I said in my previous post he's made the mistake 7 times out of his 9 losses against guys who are knowhere near the caliber of grappler that Maia is. I think that there is a high possibility that he will fall prey to Maia much like his teammate's Quarry & Herman. Maia should just go on a tear and make Team Quest MW's his *****es! LOL!!

And like I said in my previous post he's made the mistake 7 times out of his 9 losses against guys who are knowhere near the caliber of grappler that Maia is. I think that there is a high possibility that he will fall prey to Maia much like his teammate's Quarry & Herman. Maia should just go on a tear and make Team Quest MW's his *****es! LOL!!

Team Quest sucks in my opinion besides Hendo, Lindland was very overrated in my opinion and should have lost to Baroni and Chonan just cant reach the A Level