Chael Sonnen submitted Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in dominating fashion, using his wrestling skills to keep the former UFC Light Heavyweight champion and 2005 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix champion off balance.
Sonnen (28-13-1 MMA, 7-6 UFC) cinched a guillotine choke, while on his back, forcing Rua (21-8 MMA, 5-6 UFC) to tap out at the 4:47 mark of Round 1.
"It feels good because it's Shogun," said Sonnen in the post-fight press conference. "The guy's a former world champion. He's going to be in the Hall of Fame. He's beaten [Chuck] Liddell. He's beaten Forrest Griffin. He's beaten [Lyoto] Machida. He's beaten all these guys. He's beaten guys I've known and looked up to, from the Kevin Randlemans and Mark Colemans of the world. So yeah, it feels good."
The victory breaks a two-fight losing streak for Sonnen, who had lost in title fights to Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight champion Anderson Silva and UFC light heavyweight titleholder Jon Jones.
Sonnen, a notorious trash-talker who riles up both MMA fans and opponents when the mic is in his hands, challenged Brazilian Wanderlei Silva to a match in three months, quoting the 1997 Stanley Kubrick movie, Full Metal Jacket, to get his point across to "The Axe Murderer."
"Right here on the UFC's new home, FOX Sports 1, Wanderlei Silva, 6-feet tall and 205 pounds," Sonnen said in his post-fight interview with UFC commentator Joe Rogan. "Boy, until I met you, I didn't know they could stack crap that high."
In the co-main event, in a card that was the highlight of Fox Sports 1 launch day, Travis Browne stunned former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, nailing a perfect left kick on Overeem's jaw that forced referee Mario Yamasaki stopped the bout at 4:08 mark of the first round.
Overeem (36-13, 1 NC) started strong, swarming Browne (15-1-1) with a series of punches and knees that had Browne in trouble. Browne weathered the storm and eventually placed a front kick that zeroed in right on Overeem's chin that put his lights out.
"He throws knees like I never felt before," said Browne after the fight. "He gave me trouble with body shots. I was there mentally but my head was shutting down. All I did was move and move and move. As soon as I saw him slow down I made my move."
The rest of UFC Fight Night 26 results:
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Urijah Faber def. Yuri Alcantara via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
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Matt Brown def. Mike Pyle via KO (punches) - Round 1, 0:29
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John Howard def. Uriah Hall via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
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Michael Johnson def. Joe Lauzon via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-25)
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Michael McDonald def. Brad Pickett via submission (triangle choke) - Round 2, 3:43
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Conor McGregor def. Max Holloway via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
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Steven Siler def. Mike Brown via KO (punches) - Round 1, 0:50
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Diego Brandao def. Daniel Pineda via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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Manny Gamburyan def. Cole Miller via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
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Ovince St. Preux def. Cody Donovan via KO (punches) - Round 1, 2:07
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James Vick def. Ramsey Nijem via submission (guillotine choke) - Round 1, 0:58
UFC Fight Night 26 Bonuses ($50,000)
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Knockout of the Night: Matt Brown and Travis Browne
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Submission of the Night: Chael Sonnen and Michael McDonald
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Fight of the Night: Michael McDonald vs. Brad Pickett
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