Sonnen

By FCF Staff

The Ultimate Fighting Championship headed to Chicago today to promote its upcoming UFC on FOX 2 card, January 28^th at the city’s United Center.

The press conference feature all six competitors from the upcoming “triple header” card, which will see Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis, Chael Sonnen vs. Mark Munoz and Demian Maia vs. Michael Bisping.

All three bouts are expected to be broadcast during the two hour FOX broadcast next month.

Here were some of today’s highlights.

Dana White acknowledged that Georges St. Pierre being out due to a knee injury “sucks”, but that he preferred to talk about the bouts scheduled for UFC on FOX 2. The promotion announced today that St. Pierre will no longer fight Nick Diaz February 4th as scheduled, and that Carlos Condit will fight Diaz for the interim title.

Sonnen offered no apology for a kneebar he attemtped on Munoz during a wrestling match that the two had in college, and added that the move was “premeditated” and not in the “heat of the moment” as Munoz relayed.

Sonnen said he’s “not going to change around his schedule” to fight Anderson Silva, before adding his belief that the champion has no intention of fighting him again.

Munoz acknowledged that he’s friends with Sonnen and that he’s trained with Silva, but that in order to get the belt he’s willing to fight them.

Sonnen said he and Munoz agreed to face to “set an example” that professional fighters should fight despite their friendship. The charismatic middleweight also admitted that Munoz was not “at the top of his list” of fighters he wanted to face because of his impressive abilities.

White conceded that it “was time to come back to Chicago” after not holding a card there in well over two years.

Davis acknowledged that if he wins, he’ll “spoil” Evans’ fun, and added that the injuries that postponed their bout in August have been unfortunate. The accomplished wrestler furthered that he’s not concerned about ring rust, after being on the sidelines due to a knee injury.

Evans said “it feels good” to be fighting in the city where he lives. The former champion also acknowledged that it would be nice to avenge his loss to Lyoto Machida, but that he wants “to put his hands” on Jon Jones “bad.”

Sonnen said he doesn’t believe Silva is hurt, citing videos he’s seen of Silva training with fighters like Machida. Silva is reportedly out of action until early summer with a shoulder injury.

Evans admitted that it was hard to leave Jackson’s MMA for The Blackzilians, but that the change has been very beneficial, due to the team atmosphere he’s experienced.

Maia relayed that he’s taken a lot of time to train on his wrestling, boxing and Muay Thai, and that his fight with Bisping is a great opportunity. The accomplished jiu-jitsu competitor then added that he wants to get back to his BJJ roots because he’s “raised the level” of his other skills.

Sonnen said he believes Munoz is probably the best wrestler he’s faced in MMA to date.

Photo via Bettor.com