Wanderlei Silva vs. Chael Sonnen was called off, but "The Axe Murderer" is still willing to face "The American Gangster", even if it meant fighting each other at a grappling match.
The Wanderlei Silva vs. Chael Sonnen fight was originally slated for July 5th at UFC 175 in Las Vegas as one of the main card bouts headlined by middleweight champion Chris Weidman and former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida.
But due to drug-testing issues faced by both men, the fight was called off. Chael Sonnen failed two pre-fight drug tests, and was subsequently sanctioned with a two-year suspension from competition.
While he did announce his retirement from fighting in mixed martial arts in June, he was relieved from his commentary duties, both by the UFC and FOX Sports. He will now be competing in a professional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu match against grappling legend Andre Galvao at Metamoris 4 on August 9th in Los Angeles.
"The Axe Murderer, on the other hand, has yet to address his drug-testing issues to the Athletic Commission, but he is still clamoring for a Wanderlei Silva vs. Chael Sonnen fight.
In an interview with Submission Radio, the PRIDE FC legend expressed his intent to pursue the fight, and even criticized "The American Gangster" whom he thinks bears a one-dimensional style of fighting.
"He (Chael Sonnen) has just one way to fight, just take down then on the top of the ground. And for me, I try to knock out, you know," Silva proudly said. "I like to fight (in the) stand up and that what was happen."
"I'm gonna try to knock him out, he would try and hold me the whole round," he added.
Wanderlei Silva's eagerness to face Chael Sonnen has been on an all-time high, that the Brazilian is even willing to face his American adversary in a mere grappling match.
"Yeah [I'll fight him in Metamoris], why not? I never think about that but I think it's a good idea," Silva said.
