I am still grinning ear-to-ear about my buddy Chael Sonnen's performance last night at UFC 109. Shocking the world in a fight that he was never supposed to win, the #6 ranked Sonnen systematically dismantled the #2 ranked Nate "The Great" Marquardt over three ground-and-pound-filled rounds. The fight was certainly not without its drama, as while Chael was scoring double-leg takedowns pretty much at will, he also came close to losing via both a grisly cut on his forehead, and guillotine choke submission. However, the Oregon native soldiered through to earn a unanimous decision, taking all three rounds on every scorecard.

Today, Chael's undoubtedly feeling a little fragile, but I'm sure that the $60 000 "Fight of the Night" bonus cheque he pocketed and the UFC middleweight title shot that he earned will go a LONG way toward easing the pain.

Before the fight took place I was asked about it more than once, and I had to admit that even I thought Marquardt was going to win. I will say right now that never before in my entire life have I been happier to be proven wrong.

You da man, Chael!