UFC free fight: Anderson Silva mounts incredible comeback over Chael Sonnen to retain title

Anderson Silva was just minutes away from getting dethroned by his arch rival.

Silva put his middleweight title on the line against the brash Chael Sonnen at UFC 117 in what would quickly turn into a nightmare for the defending champion.

Sonnen brought it to Silva from the early going, stumbling him with a straight left and taking him down at will. Sonnen dominated the first four rounds and controlled Silva for the majority of the fight.

But with two minutes remaining in the fifth, Silva slapped on a triangle choke that caught Sonnen by surprise. It forced him to tap. A stunned Sonnen lay on the mat. After four-and-a-half rounds of control, Sonnen saw the title slip away in one of the greatest comebacks in UFC history by Silva.

Silva would leave no doubt in the rematch at UFC 148, putting Sonnen away in the second round for his 10th title defense.

Relive Silva’s incredible comeback win over Sonnen in the video above.