Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen, Top 20 Rematches MMA Fans Want to See

When the smoke clears and all is said and done, we can shake hands and be friends. Right? Wrong!

On June 16, 2012, Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen will step into the cage so that MMA fans can bear witness to the biggest rematch in UFC history. UFC 147 is not only expected to be the biggest PPV event of the year, but it also looks like it could break the PPV record currently held by UFC 100, which also featured a grudge match rematch in the main event.

"Why should they fight again? We already saw it!" Just because you saw the same two guys get into the cage before doesn't mean that you'll see the same fight the second time around. Just look at Lesnar vs Mir and Liddell vs Couture as examples of different outcomes occurring in a hotly anticipated rematch.

Personal beef between fighters isn't the only reason why fans want to see rematches.The way I see it, there are 10 primary situations that would make a rematch necessary:

Controversial Decision
Controversial Stoppage
Fight Ends in a Draw
Extremely Close Fight
Extremely Exciting Fight
Outside Factor Tainted First Fight
Close Contention within Division
Animosity Between Opponents
Underdog Shocks Heavy Favorite
Winner Tested Positive for Performance Enhancer

Here is a list of 20 Rematches that MMA Fans Want to See...whether they know it or not!

In one of the most debated decisions of recent memory, fans and fighters alike were split when scoring the interim welterweight championship fight between Carlos Condit and Nick Diaz. Diaz pressed the pace throughout the bout and Condit used impressive footwork and counterstriking.

Did Condit “run away” from Diaz? That’s up for the viewer to decide. Did he get sucked into Nick Diaz’s game? Absolutely not. Now that Nick Diaz knows the gameplan that Condit wants to employ, will he try to work the bout to the ground like he did in the final round? Will his frustration get the better of him and cause him to be too aggressive? Would the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu student get his hand raised the second time around?

These questions and more can only be answered with a rematch.

Their original bout was hotly contested with Serra and Hughes clearly winning Rounds 1 and 2, respectively. The third and final round is what ultimately decided on a winner, with Hughes controlling a longer portion of the fight, but Serra doing more damage.

Ultimately, the judges went with Hughes, but the MMA world doesn’t necessarily seem to agree with that decision. A rematch could serve as a retirement bout for both men.

Both men are roughly in the same boat these days. Neither man has committed to retiring nor have they signed on for their next fight. Each man has stated that they are considering retirement, but likewise hinted that they aren’t done quite yet. A rematch where both former champions go into the bout knowing that it is their final fight would be one of the most intense and emotional fights in history.

Shogun Rua vs Rampage Jackson II

As two of the biggest stars of PRIDE Fighting Championships, Shogun Rua and Rampage Jackson have quite the history with one another. When these two warriors first stepped into the cage at Pride Total Elimination 2005, there was an intense history between them.

Prior to their bout, Rampage found himself on the wrong end of a fierce knockout from Chute Box fighter Wanderlei Silva, and followed up with a highly controversial decision victory over Shogun’s older brother “Ninja”.
Although Rampage was dominated in their first encounter, and quickly found himself on the receiving end of smelling salts, both men have seen so much success since 2005 that a rematch between these two PRIDE legends remains a dream fight for many fans.

Currently, the bout sits on the shelf awaiting Jackson’s recovery from double knee surgery.

Shogun Rua vs Dan Henderson II

The 2011 Fight of the Year almost happened again in 2012. It has recently been reported that Dan Henderson turned down a rematch with Mauricio Shogun Rua in hopes of securing either a light-heavyweight title shot against Jonny Bones Jones or a potential rematch with middleweight champion Anderson Silva. Henderson denies that claim, but it still makes us drool over the idea of them going at it once again...

In an epic nail-biter that nearly ended several times throughout it’s 25-minute time limit, Rua and Hendo showed the kind of heart and determination that has rarely been seen inside the Octagon. Many argue that the contest should have been a draw. Personally, I agree with that assessment.

With Rampage on the sidelines, Rua is without an opponent and Hendo is still sitting on the sidelines. It’s possible that we will get this bout in 2012, but after being inches away from losing all of the momentum he built up over the last two years, the former PRIDE champion seems perfectly content waiting on a title fight.

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