Anderson Silva makes prediction for Chael Sonnen vs. Fedor Emelianenko bout

On October 13, in the main event of Bellator 208, MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko and infamous trash talker Chael Sonnen will collide in the semifinals of Bellator’s Heavyweight Grand Prix. Anderson Silva, who is one the Emelianenko’s main rivals in the Greatest of All Time debate, and undeniably the biggest rival of Chael Sonnen’s career, will be watching this fight with great interest.

Despite the massive animosity that once existed between Silva and Sonnen, Silva says he’s picking the American to defeat the Russian at Bellator 208.

“Fedor and Chael Sonnen,” Silva told CBS Sports this week. “Wow. That’s very interesting. I have all of my mind in Chael. Fedor is great and amazing and I respect [him], but I believe that Chael will win.”

Interestingly, Anderson Silva also considers his first fight with Chael Sonnen — an unforgettable come-from-behind submission victory — the biggest win of his career.

“For me, I think my perfect performance, I don’t know if I have one but me and Chael, the first fight [at UFC 117 in 2010] is amazing because I hurt my ribs in training and the doctors say, ‘You can’t fight because that’s very dangerous for you. I don’t give the OK for you to fight. Don’t go because it’s very dangerous.’”

“I know that I’m stupid and I make stupid decisions and I fight [with] Chael,” Silva continued, reminiscing on his first bout with Sonnen. “That’s an amazing fight because Chael beat me for five rounds, and the last [round] I just choked out Chael. That’s the greatest in my life and the greatest memory for me, especially because Chael is a good fighter and a good wrestler, so that for me is an amazing fight in UFC. I have other ones but that is very incredible.”

Do you share Anderson Silva’s confidence that Chael Sonnen can defeat Fedor Emelianenko at Bellator 208?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 7/23/2018.