Dana White confirms Chael Sonnen vs Brian Stann winner to receive title shot

First there were rumblings, then there were rumors, then "sources close to the situation," and now the confirmation -- Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann at UFC 136 on Oct. 8 in Houston, Texas, is a number one middleweight contender fight.

This according to UFC President Dana White, who today confirmed at the "Edgar vs. Maynard 3" pre-fight press conference (video here, updates here) that a 185-pound title shot is awaiting the winner of this Saturday night's bout.

There are, perhaps, no two candidates better for such a consideration than Sonnen, who took current division king Anderson Silva to the brink his last time in the cage at UFC 117 in Aug. 2010, and Stann, who's knocked out both Jorge Santiago and Chris Leben so far this year.

And while neither man has put on his promoting shoes and done much talking to sell their fight this weekend, the match-up dictates a prize should be awaiting the victor. 

Right?

Stann's value is currently at its highest thanks to those previously mentioned consecutive knockout wins over Leben and Santiago, respectively.

In fact, one could argue "All American" is easily having the best year of any fighter who plys his trade inside the Octagon.

A win over Sonnen would most certainly make him deserving of a shot, if for nothing else, a lack of other worthy available options.

And who wouldn't want to see Silva vs. Sonnen part deux?

Who wins this middleweight mash up and will they deserve a title shot when they do so?