World Extreme Cagefighting middleweight champion Paulo Filho suffered the first loss of his career tonight, falling to Chael Sonnen in a boring unanimous decision at WEC 36.The first round got the fight off to a frustrating start, as Filho spent most of the time on his back, hoping to catch Sonnen in a submission, which Sonnen was just trying to avoid.
In the second, Sonnen controlled the round by knocking Filho down and then forcing him to stand back up, but that didn't produce much action. Sonnen didn't try to push the pace of the fight, but Filho didn't try to do anything at all.
For a long stretch in the third round, Sonnen stood over Filho and peppered him with light strikes and kicks, taking no chances, doing no damage and winning the fight the safe way. It then turned into a boxing match for a long stretch, and the fans booed and offered profane chants. It was about as boring a fight as the WEC has ever promoted.
The judges awarded it to Sonnen by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring it 30-27 for Sonnen.
Filho entered the fight considered by many to be the second-best middleweight in the world after UFC champ Anderson Silva, but the way he fought tonight, he looked like he needs to find another line of work. Filho's pro MMA record falls to 16-1. Sonnen improves to 21-9-1.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-05-2008 @ 9:49PM
Sackolantern PSN ID: johnnynumber5 said...
Fihlo had to be on drugs in that fight. He looked like he just walked out of a rehab facility. No passion, he was well overweight, threw nothing and did nothing. Not to mention during the entire fight he kept looking to the crowd and looked extremely confused after the bell rang. Something is wrong with Paulo Fihlo and I hope that if there is a rematch it's in Fihlo's contract to make weight or he submits his belt.
SO much for Fihlo being a number one contender and the best middleweight in the world not named Anderson Silva. That was pathetic.
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11-06-2008 @ 10:52AM
Eric said...
Chael dominated the fight while Paulo did nothing.
How was Paulo ever considered the 2nd best middleweight ... ? He is a submission only fighter who hasn't faced high level opposition.
8 of Paulo's fights have gone to a decision ... Rich Franklin for instance, has only been to 2 decisions and he has about 10 more fights.
Paulo is terribly overrated!
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11-06-2008 @ 12:44PM
Brayan said...
So decisions are what to you? less than a win? You can discredit a fighter for going to decision win, especially a grappler. So what if it was 8 times? who many of those fights where 25 minute fights? 6.
Paulo has fought many many high profile fighters and has fought in many different places and for pride fighting when it was in its prime.
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11-10-2008 @ 4:11PM
Eric said...
Yea, you still didn't name a "high profile fighter". Don't tell me Chonan (a 170 pounder). Misaki is one of the toughest opponents he has faced, but still not a high profile fighter.
Decisions aren't less than a win, but there are less than a stoppage!
As Rara said below ... "Paulo was pathetic"!!
11-06-2008 @ 4:40PM
Rara said...
PAULO WAS PATHETIC!!!!!
How can you be THAT over weight for such a big fight!? and just throw away your perfect record just like that!? HE'S LAZY!!!!
I have no respect for him.
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11-25-2008 @ 1:34PM
John O'Driscoll said...
Filho's a bum! What a disgrace to any and all professional athletes. Six months and he couldn't loose 4 pounds? Please! And what was that we watched last night? Patty cakes? Dancing lessons? What? Somebody tell Filho next time he steps into the cage to wear a dress. At least everyone will know what to expect.
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