Rios misses the mark again.

Thomas Rios has become a running gag on MMA forums across the internet. Here is a sampling of his latest hack-piece.

Let’s get this out of the way early in the game: Chael Sonnen’s attempts to build the hype for his UFC 117 middleweight title bout against Anderson Silva have run the gamut from standard-issue idiotic to appallingly racist.

With that said, Sonnen and his 1950s insults have generated far more interest than the overplayed wrestler vs. striker narrative imposed on this fight. With every tweet, interview and media appearance, Sonnen has dominated the headlines and managed to build a considerable following of fans who find amusement in his vitriol.

Constructing controversy has long been the golden ticket in fight sport, and Sonnen relying on racial and cultural divides to up the ante is hardly new. However, between this and the unfortunate race-baiting that marred the Quinton Jackson vs. Rashad Evans match, we could be witnessing the birth of a trend that will only worsen the image of a sport dealing with ignorant, politically charged pontificating both at home and abroad.

Weighing the short-term financial payoff of these cheap ploys against the potential long-term collateral damage is a dicey game and one the UFC has almost no choice but to engage in. At a time when the sport can’t even get sanctioned in New York or a fair shake in Germany, the last thing anyone wants to deal with is a Sonnen quote hitting the mainstream media and going viral.

Appallingly racist? Really now?

Rios is oblivious to the reality of this fight - Silva after the Leites, Cote and Maia fights is now damaged goods. He's never been the draw he should have been but now, even with all his talent, of all UFC champions he may be the least popular with the buying public. Perception of Sonnen ranges from at best a one dimensional wrestler weak to submissions down to a one dimensional lay and pray artist with no chance to win at worst. Without what Sonnen is doing to sell this bout there would be no way this fight touches the 650k mark that has become standard for a UFC title fight.

"Ed [a Brazilian American MMA manager], pray to whatever Demon effigy you prance and dance in front of with your piglet tribe of savages that I decide not to CRUCIFY you."


care to retract jsut a bit????

That wasn't as appallingly racist as it was fucking hilarious. Slightly provocative? Sure. Appallingly racist? Only if you're a pussy who looks for reasons to scream racism.

I dont think it was racist but it was prety offensive and UFC needs to tell him not to attack people of other faiths in my opinion makes him look like a piece of shit, and wont help them expand in Abu Dhabi

The bird is not the word here folks! Chael Sonnen will in no way tear down the UFC in UAE. A horrible fight would before that. That statement was in no way racist, and only people wanting to get a head turned in their direction would say such a thing.

"piglet tribe of savages"? Certainly smells of racism.

luckily there is no better venue to settle such a score then a MMA cage. I hope Silva smashes this guy.

The people in Abu Dhabi are more concerned with Anderson Silva stinking up the joint again and will likely all hail Sonnen as a hero if he beats him.

Meh, all humans lived in tribes of savages at one point or another. People shouldn't get so offended by silly stuff.

Yeah, Rios is probably the most incompetent writer at sherdog...and considering their staff is full of some of the most uneducated MMA trolls to even post on a message board, let alone be "journalists" for the biggest MMA site out there that is bad news for Rios.

I don't read much of his stuff, but i did read his previews for Fedor-Rogers and Hendo-Shields...

Did you know that Fedor Emelianenko and Jake Shields have weak chins? Rios does.