R. Carvalho wants to face C.Sonnen (Photo: Disclosure/Bellator)
The recent trend among fighters is to ask for 'superfights'. With Raphael Carvalho, Bellator middleweight champion, the story is no different. Holder of the belt in the under-84kg division since 2015, the Brazilian, who has already defended his title twice, doesn't want to know about putting his reign on the line in the next challenge. The carioca's focus is to face the loudmouth Chael Sonnen, who operates in the light heavyweight division (up to 93kg), and recently defeated Wanderlei Silva by unanimous decision.
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“I want to challenge Sonnen. Instead of doing another title defense, I want this super fight. He just has that wrestling game and I believe that after I defend his first three takedowns, he won't try anymore. To be honest, nothing he did (against the Wanderlei Silva) surprised me. Standing and exchanging with Wanderlei is not for everyone and Sonnen is not stupid. He realized this when he tried and almost got knocked out”, he declared, in an interview with the website 'MMA Fighting' (USA).
In addition to stating that he was not impressed with the North American's performance, Rafael showed confidence by guessing what the outcome of a possible fight between them would be. “With a knee in the third round. I would induce him to do a takedown entry and find the opening for my knee there,” he concluded.
Despite revealing his desire to face Sonnen, Carvalho already has a commitment to return to Bellator's circular cage: he will face former UFC fighter Alessio Sakara on December 9, in Florence, Italy. He became the organization's champion by knocking out Brandon Halsey at Bellator 144, in October 2015. He has already defended his belt on two occasions, both against Melvin Manhoef, the most recent last April, when he knocked out the Dutchman. In Bellator since 2014, the Brazilian won all five fights held in the company. At 30 years old, he has 14 wins and just one defeat on his record, in his first fight as a professional, in 2011.
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