WEC: Bryan Baker replaces Paulo Filho against Chael Sonnen on March 26

by Robert Moore on Mar 18, 2008 11:38 AM EDT

With WEC Middleweight Champion Paulo Filho seeking professional help for substance abuse, Chael Sonnen now will face undefeated Bryan Baker at the March 26 event that is set to air LIVE on the Versus network at 9 p.m. ET.

The past month had been a soap opera of sorts for Sonnen with the barrage of rumors on whether or not Filho would defend his title in their scheduled rematch later this month.

During an interview last Friday with MMAWeekly.com, Sonnen put a human spin on the Filho situation.

Here's a snip:

"I've got a goal to beat Paulo in the ring, but that's it. I don't have a goal to beat him in life or for him to have a bad life. Sounds like he's maybe got a couple of things that he's working on outside of the ring and I really hope that goes well for him."

The Team Quest fighter goes on to reaffirm his goal of being WEC champion despite the Filho saga.

Another snip:

"If the title shot comes, great. If he's not ready to compete by then, and I'm purely speculating, what I would think is that at some point, (the WEC is) going to have to take that title away if he's not ever going to get in the ring."

Sonnen hopes to get back in the win column after his controversial loss to Filho last December. Riding a five-fight win streak, Chael was taking the fight to Filho before getting caught in an armbar late in the second round. Continually refusing to submit, the referee called the bout based on scream Sonnen let out.

Chael was granted a rematch based on those circumstances, but it hasn't panned out ... yet.

Bryan Baker is an up-and-coming middleweight. Currently training at American Kickboxing Academy, the All-American wrestler and Judo Black belt will face his toughest test to date against the cagey Sonnen.

It should be a nice complement to the main event of the evening between WEC Light Heavyweight Champion Doug Marshall and top contender, Brian Stann. To check out the remaining WEC official fight card click here.

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Comments

first!! yesss.. lol@ “I don’t have a goal to beat him in life”

by kama kaze on Mar 18, 2008 11:40 AM EDT reply actions

Sonnen is a classy dude!

by john on Mar 18, 2008 11:40 AM EDT reply actions

I think every fighter should take notes from Sonnen, this is how a pro is suppose to act……Sonnen is the Man!!!!

by Bruce on Mar 18, 2008 11:57 AM EDT reply actions

Sonnen is a classy dude!

Totally agree.

by PhilQNY on Mar 18, 2008 12:06 PM EDT reply actions

i respect your opinions but would prefer it if they really hated each other for good reasons. seems like theres a lot of wrestling talent out at the AKA. i wonder who’s top dog out of him, kos, or fitch.

by kama kaze on Mar 18, 2008 12:17 PM EDT reply actions

This is a great opportunity for Baker, getting to move up to the televised portion of the card. He was originally scheduled to fight on the undercard against Logan “The Pink Pounder” Clark. Because of Clark, I now have to retract everything I ever said about Kenny Florian, Josh Koscheck, Joe Lauzon and Jason McDonald having awful nicknames.

by PW on Mar 18, 2008 12:32 PM EDT reply actions

Totally agree.

I agree that what he said shows class and sincerety, but he has done some goofball things in the ring to justify other fighters not making him there roll model…like screaming in agony everytime he gets into a submission, ala Babalu and Filho matches..either tap or try to get out, dont scream, and then blame the refs for stopping it.. either way, very nice of him to not try and bad mouth filho….and Kama Kaze…I dont know where Baker wrestled, but Koscheck is by far the best wrestler at AKA and most other gyms, 4 time all american D1, Fitch was never an All amercian, but was Captain of a D1 school…Baker was getting outwrestled by Jesse ???( season 3 TUF)who was a Juco wrestler, maybe all american, regardless, Kos has the best credentials and probably skill out of all of them..but that is a good place for wrestlers to go work their standup

by mma dude on Mar 18, 2008 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

Baker is strong as hell though

by mma dude on Mar 18, 2008 12:38 PM EDT reply actions

Sonnen is correct in saying if Filho is out for an extended period of time, at some point he is going to have to be stripped of that title, or at th every least hand out another interim title because the WEC needs five round title fights in order for the organization to continue to progress.

by john on Mar 18, 2008 1:13 PM EDT reply actions

I agree that what he said shows class and sincerety, but he has done some goofball things in the ring to justify other fighters not making him there roll model…like screaming in agony everytime he gets into a submission, ala Babalu and Filho matches..either tap or try to get out, dont scream, and then blame the refs for stopping it.. either way, very nice of him to not try and bad mouth filho….and Kama Kaze…I dont know where Baker wrestled, but Koscheck is by far the best wrestler at AKA and most other gyms, 4 time all american D1, Fitch was never an All amercian, but was Captain of a D1 school…Baker was getting outwrestled by Jesse ???( season 3 TUF)who was a Juco wrestler, maybe all american, regardless, Kos has the best credentials and probably skill out of all of them..but that is a good place for wrestlers to go work their standup

how do you know all this? Are you in the industry or something? I barely remember Jesse from TUF3. But yea, Kos improved his standup by leaps and bounds. They got a tough camp over there. every time i tune into WEC they’re always playing RERUNS of carlos condit brock larson OR the cub swanson micah miller fight. all day every day :)

by kama kaze on Mar 18, 2008 1:42 PM EDT reply actions

[“The Pink Pounder” Clark. Because of Clark, I now have to retract everything I ever said about Kenny Florian, Josh Koscheck, Joe Lauzon and Jason McDonald having awful nicknames.[/quote/]
Is that his amateur porn name.

by alex on Mar 18, 2008 2:21 PM EDT reply actions

Is that his amateur porn name.

If you look at the dude’s pic on the WEC page you’ll see where he got the name. It’s still running neck and neck with the north-south position for gayest thing in all of MMA.

by PW on Mar 18, 2008 3:14 PM EDT reply actions

If you look at the dude’s pic on the WEC page you’ll see where he got the name. It’s still running neck and neck with the north-south position for gayest thing in all of MMA.

only pansies rely on the north-south position, real men like to “Bang” in the middle of the octagon with other dudes…yeah that was horrible

by mma dude on Mar 18, 2008 3:50 PM EDT reply actions