Chael vs Shogun to headline UFC on Fox Sports 1

Shogun pulled from UFC 161 card to fight on UFC on Fox Sports 1

by John Haigh @JohnBJayHaigh

Chael Sonnen (27-13-1) vs Shogun Rua (21-7) fight to serve as the first ever UFC on FOX Sports 1 main event on Aug. 17 in Boston.

After shogun was pulled from the UFC 161 card following the injury to Lil Nog the UFC officials announced the fight as the main event for the inaugural event on Fox Sports 1. The fight came about when in typical fashion, Sonnen jumped into the hero role and sent a message to the Brazilian on Twitter stating he was "available" to step in to fight on just 13 days notice.

The fight was not made for the UFC 161 card though, presumably so Sonnen can sell the fight on Fox Sports 1 in his usual fashion. But the official word was the fight couldn’t take place because Sonnen would not be able to get a visa in time.

Sonnen comes into the fight with back to back losses to his name. Both against arguably the best two fighters in the history of MMA UFC champions Anderson Silva and Jon Jones in very one sided fights.

Shogun also comes in to this fight with a lot of inconsistency. Shogun has not won back to back fights since 2009 with victories over Chuck Liddell and Mark Coleman both by TKO and both been fight night bonuses.

In his last fight shogun lost via decision to Alexander Gustafsson at UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Diaz. There is one thing about the ex UFC Light Heavyweight champion's fights though, there always entertaining and Shogun leaves everything in the cage so Sonnen will have another tough fight on his hands.... has he bitten off more than he can chew again. We will find out in August.