UFC 138

[MMA_scientist]

You've seen that . . . twice . . .

Once when he fought Henderson and again when he fought Marquardt.

He failed both times.

I was not satisfied by the Marquardt fight, it was more of a fluke ending. Henderson fight, yes, but I think he has gotten better, it was over 3 years ago.

I think Palhares would retire Sonnen permanently, just because of the styles. I don't think he is the best 185 out there, but he is a legit title contender who hasn't really been pushed by the UFC.

[SPX]

Scientist, you are a serious Sonnen hater.

[MMA_scientist]

Palhares would probably lose to Munoz, Okami, Belfort, probably silva, and probably AJ.

You're crazy. I don't think a guy that got grapple raped by Rich Clementi is going to beat Palhares. Palhares would take him down easy IMO. I think the other guys would be close- basically I put Palhares in there with Maia, Sonnen, Munoz, and Okami...

[MMA_scientist]

Scientist, you are a serious Sonnen hater.

It is really not as bad as youthink it is, I just don't think he is that good. I mean, you don't think Palhares would submit him? The only issue is whether Sonnen could stuff him the whole fight. I think the standup is close between the two and I think Palhares would get him down eventually and take his leg home.

[Svino]

The more I think about it, the more I believe Maia getting Sonnen down was nearly a miracle. I now think Sonnen could win a rematch with him or a fight with Palhares just by keeping it on the feet.

[SPX]

You're crazy. I don't think a guy that got grapple raped by Rich Clementi is going to beat Palhares. Palhares would take him down easy IMO. I think the other guys would be close- basically I put Palhares in there with Maia, Sonnen, Munoz, and Okami...

If you're going to be like "oh, the fight with Henderson was three years ago" then you have to concede that the AJ/Clementi fight was over 4 years ago. Is he even the same fighter today?

[SPX]

It is really not as bad as youthink it is, I just don't think he is that good. I mean, you don't think Palhares would submit him? The only issue is whether Sonnen could stuff him the whole fight. I think the standup is close between the two and I think Palhares would get him down eventually and take his leg home.

I'm not sure at all that Palhares would submit Sonnen. Why would it be auto-sub? His best win is against, I guess, Dan Miller, a B-level MW at best. His second best win is Dave Branch, a dude who's not even in the UFC anymore.

I could definitely see Sonnen running a wrestling train on him for 3 rounds.

[MMA_scientist]

If you're going to be like "oh, the fight with Henderson was three years ago" then you have to concede that the AJ/Clementi fight was over 4 years ago. Is he even the same fighter today?

I don't know, he hasn't beaten anyone I would consider "good" other than Brenneman (who only got that tag by beating Story). I mean, the only guys he beat that are still in the UFC are Brenneman and Hardy, who would have been released if he were American or Brazilian.

[SPX]

That's true, but he was at least dominant in all those wins.

He is at least one of the best strikers in the division and a solid wrestler. Pretty good combination.

[MMA_scientist]

Why would it be auto-sub? His best win is against, I guess, Dan Miller, a B-level MW at best. His second best win is Dave Branch, a dude who's not even in the UFC anymore.

I could definitely see Sonnen running a wrestling train on him for 3 rounds.

Because Sonnen gets submitted a lot, and Palhares is a nasty submission artist who submits world class grapplers quickly. I don't think there is any way he would last on the mat. He might be able to keep it standing. Palhares has a good double leg shot though. We will never know though, so it is pointless to discuss it. I think Sonnen will continue to lose to better grapplers and his standup is servicable, but not great. I think Palhares may get the better of the standup too. I just think Sonnen has tricked everyone into thinking he is some unstoppable wrestling machine... he is 5-4 in the UFC and he has lost all 4 times by submission. The "new" Sonnen is 4-2 and lost twice by submission. I think he would get submitted by Palhares and probably injured because he would try to half tap or yell out and Palhares would destroy his knee. Just how I see it.

[MMA_scientist]

That's true, but he was at least dominant in all those wins.

He is at least one of the best strikers in the division and a solid wrestler. Pretty good combination.

True, I just don't think his wrestling is good enough to keep it standing against a lot of guys. He did stuff the hell out of Brenneman though, so maybe he figured out his range.

[poopoo333]

I think Palhares would beat Sonnen too.

[Vandelay]

AJ is with a new camp now. Plus he is more well rounded. Cung le isn't a serviceable coach.

[edman5555]

Sorry about my lack of breakdowns. I am just burnt out from a lot of things. I am trying to collect myself for a little while. Also my power has been out since Saturday.

[Thewisemann]

I think Palhares would beat Sonnen the majority of the time.