Chael Sonnen and Anderson Silva share one of the greatest rivalries in UFC history. If anyone told the fans back then that years later, the duo would be on friendly terms with each other, it would be met with scoffs. However, that was the case during the Jake Paul-Anderson Silva pre-fight press conference.
Upon witnessing the moment of two rivals burying the hatchet, UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal couldn’t help but react.
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‘Gamebred’ took to his social media to share his thoughts and showed his respect by describing them as “Legends.”
Why Chael Sonnen declined a dinner invitation from Anderson Silva?
Chael Sonnen, who hosted the Jake Paul-Anderson Silva event, received a few questions from ‘The Spider’.
Anderson Silva asked, “You never come to my house to my barbecue. Why?”
‘The American Gangster’ replied, “Okay, okay, here’s the thing. I didn’t think it was a sincere offer. If I knew I was really invited…”
The Brazilian chimed in, “Of course!”
Sonnen, while continuing to give an explanation further, added, “Then I didn’t know if your wife forgave me. It was a whole thing. That’s the real answer to why I didn’t come.”
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The former UFC champ invited Sonnen again on the stage and said, “You need to come, please.”
Confused, Sonnen enquired, “In Brazil?”
‘The Spider’ mockingly said, “No, here. In Brazil, a lot of people will try to kill you, trust me. People hate you in Brazil. But I’m not, I love you, man.”
Sonnen replied, “I accept, thank you very much.”
As Sonnen fell, he turned around and saw Anderson Silva standing in front of him.
Silva then blasted Sonnen with a knee to the solar plexus. This was checkmate. Sonnen tried to survive, but he was too hurt. Silva finished the fight by TKO. pic.twitter.com/EaVHvv4knU
— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) July 7, 2018
Chael Sonnen and Anderson Silva have shared the octagon twice, with the Brazilian having come out on top on both occasions.
Their first bout at UFC 117, at the time, marked the closest someone had come to defeating Silva. The ‘people’s champ’ controlled ‘The Spider’ for almost five rounds before getting caught up in a Hail-Mary triangle choke.
The second fight was far less competitive, with ‘The Spider’ showing his elite striking skill and ultimately knocking Sonnen out in the second round.
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The American announced his retirement from the sport in 2019, however, the Brazilian transitioned from MMA to full-time boxing in 2021.
Anderson Silva is set to face YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul in his upcoming bout on October 29th in the Gila River Arena in Phoenix.
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While the focus will be on that, one wonders if we will see the MMA icons have a BBQ gathering. What do you think?