In the realm of UFC history, Anderson Silva’s feud with former archrival Chael Sonnen remains an intriguing narrative.
Recently, Silva came forward to shed light on the enigmatic reason behind Sonnen’s decision to tattoo his face and torso on his arm.
The first encounter between the two occurred at UFC 117 in August 2010. Sonnen displayed dominance throughout most of the five-round match, only to succumb to Silva’s triangle armbar at the bout’s conclusion.
The Silva-Sonnen saga continued with a rematch at UFC 148 in July 2012. This time, Silva secured a resounding victory via second-round TKO. It was the last successful title defense of his reign.
Sonnen posted a picture of himself getting a tattoo of Silva’s face and body on his right arm on Instagram earlier this week.
Their rivalry was laced with intense verbal exchanges, yet recent years have seen a shift in their relationship. Despite their history, Silva and Sonnen seem to have reconciled and moved past their differences.
Sonnen posted a picture of himself getting a tattoo of Silva’s face and body on his right arm on Instagram earlier this week. His Instagram post featuring the tattoo garnered significant attention, given the duo’s tumultuous history and the public interest in their feud.
Coinciding with this revelation, a biopic titled ‘Anderson Spider Silva’ premiered on Paramount+. The biographical series offered insights into the life of the legendary former UFC champion.
A subsequent video shared on the Paramount+ Instagram handle unveiled the reason behind Sonnen’s tattoo tribute. The footage showcased Sonnen visiting Silva’s residence, where they watched the biopic together.
Prior to watching the biopic, Silva and Sonnen had an agreement: if Sonnen found himself emotionally moved by the portrayal, he would get a tattoo of Silva’s face on his arm. True to his word, Sonnen honored the agreement.
Additionally, Sonnen included an infamous line beneath the tattoo: “You absolutely s**k!”
He had previously used the same words in a famous callout against Silva. After sharing a chuckle, the two continued to promote the biopic.