They say time heals all wounds.
After combining for two fractious wars in the cage in what was one of the more intense rivalries to have been seen in the UFC up to that point, it is clear that a great degree of respect exists between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen.
The two men, now both effectively retired from mixed martial arts, will do battle for a third time this Saturday night in Sao Paulo, Brazil in an exhibition boxing match which is kinda/sorta being teased as one of combat icon Silva’s final bouts (though it remains to be seen if Saudi Riyals can tempt him into the ring in the Middle East).
Chegando a hora da revanche! Agora no boxe, Sonnen e Anderson Silva se enfrentarão no sábado, em São Paulo. Na encarada, o brasileiro deu uma rosa para o rival em pleno Dia dos Namorados.#ESPNKnockout pic.twitter.com/4DshPhdhKv
— ESPN Brasil (@ESPNBrasil) June 13, 2024
And as if to prove that this time around has none of the bad blood that we saw when they met in the UFC cage in 2010 and 2012 — both won by Silva, the second dominantly but the first not so much — ‘The Spider’ welcomed Sonnen to Brazil during Wednesday’s press events by presenting him with a rose, after which both men embraced.
It certainly seems like the gangster from West Linn, Oregon is softening somewhat in his later year.
The exhibition bout will take place across five, two-minute rounds at a catchweight of 216-pounds. Both men will wear 14oz gloves in the contest.
