Chael's Future Hangs in the Balance

Their comes a point in a man's life when he is faced with tough decisions.  Part of growing up is learning to take responsibility for your actions.  Being a man is having the guts to admit when you are wrong.  Cliches have a place even in society, today.  In August of 2010, Chael Sonnen was the number one contender to the middleweight crown of the UFC.  He had defeated the likes of Yushin Okami, Nate Marquardt, and Dan Miller to earn his opportunity to face Anderson Silva.  Silva is undefeated in the UFC and has defended his title 8 times.  He is the most dominant champion ever in the history of the UFC.  More dominating than GSP, Chuck Liddell, or Randy Couture.  Chael Sonnen hyped the fight as no other fight had been hyped.  People rallied behind Chael, but never really expected him to win.  Chael Sonnen gave Anderson Silva more than he could handle for 23 minutes and in the final 2 minutes of the fight Anderson Silva sneaks out a submission and Anderson Silva again proved that he is the king of MMA, above all others.  Chael Sonnen made Anderson Silva look human for a night.  Anderson Silva has never looked human in the past.

Since Sonnen's submission loss to Silva, he was suspended for higher testosterone levels.  He was fined $10,000 for fraud and sentenced to probation.  Sonnen's issues with the Nevada State Athletic Commission and the United States Federal Government are coming to a close.  When Sonnen is cleared to fight and has his license reinstated he will be given a top tier contender at 185lbs.  Chael Sonnen's Window of oppotunity is closing.  He is a 34 year old fighter who has lost to Damien Maia, Jeremy Horn twice, Paulo Fihlo, and Anderson Silva most recently.

After the fight in August, Chael received much praise and people were clammering for another match up.  2010 would have really become the year of the rematch Machida & Shogun, Penn & Edgar, and Sonnen & Silva again.  Consequently, Sonnen had his issues with the NSAC, State of Oregon, and US federal government.  Sonnen was dogged in the media.  Jim Rome from ESPN's Rome is burning commented on Sonnen's "backne" or back acne after he was suspended.  Everyone assumed the worst of Chael Sonnen.   Rumors of steroids and PED's floated around the internet in a craze.  Chael Sonnen was labeled a cheater, a juicer, and rule-breaker.

Tomorrow, May 18th, 2011 will be an important date in Chael Sonnen's MMA career.  It might be the most important day in his career.  More important than his second career win against a young Jason "Mayhem" Miller.  More detrimental than that first loss to Paulo Fihlo.  May 18th could be the equivalent of his run at the Middleweight championship culminating in his title fight with Anderson Silva, if he reinstated. Or tomorrow could be the Anderson Silva fight all over again, a devastating loss.

I believe in Chael Sonnen.  I believe he is one of the only fighters in the world that can push the greatest fighter in the world, Anderson Silva, to his limits.  I believe his takedowns are powerful and clean.  He has the ability to land powerful strikes and absorb blows equal in devastation.  Chael Sonnen has an iron will and desire to win that is undeniable.  He believes in himself and is unrelenting that he is the best in the world.  However, his future in MMA lies in the hands CSAC.  If Chael Sonnen is delayed for another significant portion of his MMA career then I fear that his best fights may have past without ever being fought in the octagon, but in the mediation room.