Fresh off losing his title shot back at UFC 159, Chael Sonnen looked to pick up his first Light Heavyweight win in over seven years. In the main event of UFC Fight Night 26, the launch-day event for Fox Sports 1, he faced off against former 205 lb. champion Mauricio Rua. Sonnen took his place as a top 10 LHW with a first-round submission win with a mid-round guillotine.
In a move that surprised approximately no one, Chael Sonnen hit a double-leg takedown in the opening seconds of the fight. On the other hand, it probably raised a few eyebrows when Shogun hit a takedown of his own. Chael used a guillotine to return to his feet then tossed Shogun on his back. Sonnen postured up in guard to throw punches, but Rua backrolled out. Back in half-guard, Chael struggled to do damage. Shogun managed to escape for a second but Sonnen grabbed a guillotine. At first it looked like Rua was safe, but Chael locked down and forced the submission.
Chael Sonnen submitted Shogun Rua at 1:27 of round 1.