Fighters to Watch in the Second Half of 2011

UFC middleweight Sonnen

Middleweight: Chael Sonnen

Speaking of guys who offer up quality quotes…

As soon as the greatest proponent and practitioner of verbal warfare got cleared to fight again, Sonnen was right back behind a microphone sending “fighting words” in the direction of Anderson Silva, Wanderlei Silva and Brazil as a whole. The self-proclaimed “American Gangster” is a reality television show waiting to happen; he can’t seem to keep his persona on pause if a camera is rolling, and we’re the prime beneficiaries.

Sonnen has signed up to fight surging middleweight contender Brian Stann at UFC 136. The bout is expected to be a title eliminator, which should help load the weaponry for another barrage of sarcastic salvos from Sonnen in the weeks to come. Conservative estimates are that between now and October 8 in Houston, Sonnen should be good for at least 57 inflammatory comments and a couple interviews he will later claim he never did.

Even if he didn’t have a fight on the horizon, Sonnen would be the selection here. He’s awesome/crazy/annoying/amazing all bundled into one, and you can’t help but pay attention to him.

Welterweight: Charlie Brenneman

You know what sucks about pulling off a big upset and garnering all kinds of attention the process? The expectations heading into the encore.

Brenneman earned Rocky comparisons for stepping in late against Rick Story and coming away with a unanimous decision victory. It was by far the biggest win of his career. As impressive as the victory was, the pressure is now on Brenneman to deliver once again.

If the fight against Story was his debut single – his MMA Jagged Little Pill or Cracked Rear View – Brenneman needs to submit a better sophomore effort than Alanis or Hootie if he wants to remain in the limelight. Beating a newly minted top ten opponent like Story puts Brenneman in line for a biggish name next – think Anthony Johnson or Martin Kampmann, not Jon Fitch or B.J. Penn – and whoever he faces, Brenneman will need to prove his upset of Story wasn’t a fluke.

Should he be able to do that, “The Spaniard” should end 2011 in the welterweight top 10.