UFC 167 Fallout: Chael Sonnen Moving Divisions, Rashad Wants Gustafsson Next, Medical Suspensions

- Following his second defeat in a three-fight light heavyweight stint, Chael Sonnen looks to be heading south. Sonnen hit a brick wall last Saturday night at UFC 167 in the form of friend and broadcasting partner Rashad Evans; that meeting seems to have inspired him to return to the middleweight division.

Advertisement

"He hurt me so much when he hit me," Sonnen said during the post-fight press conference. "I had one predominant problem tonight, and I fought a fighter who was better than me."

Sonnen has run roughshod over most of the middleweight division during his UFC tenure, but two losses against former champ Anderson Silva sent him packing to light heavy. With Silva currently deposed and having stumbled at the higher weight, Sonnen revealed that he intends to head back to 185.

"I've always struggled at this weight," he said. "I'm going to have to go back to 185. That's where I can do my best work."

Sonnen is currently expected to face Wanderlei Silva following their coaching stint on The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3.

Advertisement

- Rashad Evans is now two in a row, with consecutive wins over Dan Henderson and Sonnen. With momentum building, the 34-year-old is itching to get another crack at the title. To do that, he recognizes that he'll need to fight a big name. During an appearance on the FOX Sports post-fight show, Evans name checked two opponents that he feels would get him closer to a title shot.

"I want Alexander Gustafsson, even Glover Teixeira," said Evans. "I'd love to fight some of the best guys in the division."

Evans challenged for the title in April of 2012, coming up short to former training partner Jon Jones in a unanimous decision.

- Of course, Evans and Sonnen weren't the only two who got into a fight on Saturday night. Several other fighters competed and have the bruises to show for it; the Nevada State Athletic Commission has released the medical suspension list from the event, with eleven fighters looking at time on the bench (list courtesy MMAFighting).

Johny Hendricks: Must have orthopedic clearance on right knee or no contest until 05/17/14; minimum suspension no contest until 12/17/13, no contact until 12/08/13

Ali Bagautinov: Must have orthopedic clearance on left foot or no contest until 05/17/14; minimum suspension no contest until 12/17/13, no contact until 12/08/13

Gian Villante: Must have orthopedic clearance on both hands or no contest until 05/17/14
Cody Donovan: Must have right hand x-rayed and cleared by an orthopedic doctor or no contest until 05/17/14; minimum suspension no contest until 12/17/13, no contact until 12/08/13

Georges St-Pierre: Suspended until 01/01/14; no contact until 12/17/13

Chael Sonnen: Suspended until 01/01/14; no contact until 12/17/13

Josh Koscheck: Suspended until 01/01/14; no contact until 12/17/13

Evan Dunham: Suspended until 01/01/14; no contact until 12/17/13 due to left eyebrow laceration

Rick Story: Suspended until 01/01/14; no contact until 12/17/13 due to left eyebrow laceration

Rory MacDonald: Suspended until 12/17/13; no contact until 12/08/13

Erik Perez: Suspended until 12/17/13; no contact until 12/08/13 due to laceration on bridge of nose

Advertisement

Comments

Recommended