Anderson Silva Promises to Beat Chael Sonnen So Badly It Will ‘Change the Image of the Sport’

During a UFC 148 conference call promoting his rematch with Chael Sonnen, Anderson Silva departed sharply from his usually composed public persona and delivered a series of unusually aggressive promises about what he intended to do in the Octagon.

Anderson Silva’s UFC 148 Conference-Call Comments

“First of all, Chael is a criminal. He’s been convicted of crimes. He doesn’t deserve to be inside the Octagon. And when the time is right, I’m going to break his face and break every one of his teeth in his mouth.”

“The playtime is over. I’m gonna beat Chael like he’s never been beat before. There’s no more talking. I know he’s on the line listening, and the game’s over.”

“It doesn’t matter if I’m on the bottom, the side, the top, it doesn’t matter. Chael Sonnen’s gonna get his ass kicked like he’s never gotten his ass kicked before. What I’m gonna do inside the Octagon is something that’s gonna change the image of the sport.”

“I’m gonna make sure that every one of his teeth are broken, his arms are broke, his legs are broke. He’s not going to be able to walk out of the Octagon by himself. I can guarantee that. And I know that he’s listening. The game’s over. No more s**t-talking. It’s on now.”

Silva Says Sonnen Will “Pay” for His Trash Talk

“I’m just gonna make him pay, and make him eat everything he said, not only about myself, but about our country, about everything. I’m gonna make him pay and make sure that he never disrespects any fighter.”

“The first time we fought, he stepped out [as] the loser, and he’s gonna step out losing again this time, the only difference is that this time he’s gonna have to go see a plastic surgeon after the fight.”

Sonnen had fewer opportunities to speak during the call, although he called Silva an “amateur” and returned to his familiar “medium rare” catchphrase.

The intensity of Silva’s comments was striking precisely because it contrasted so strongly with the calm demeanor he usually displayed before fights. The rematch at UFC 148 had clearly become personal.