There was no other way it could've ended. Even after Travis Browne's gutsy rally, even after Matt Brown's 29-second statement, even after the next step of Conor McGregor, the UFC's debut on FOX Sports 1 was always destined to end with Chael Sonnen -- the network star's hand wrapped around a mic, his mouth furiously waxing poetic about the next man in his sights.

Yes, Sonnen's brash callout of Wanderlei Silva provided a fitting finale to UFC Fight Night 26, capping off a wild night filled with fearless comebacks and more than a few barnburners. As always a flood of pro fighters had plenty to say about the action, but first a few old friends couldn't help but directly address "The American Gangster."

@sonnench let's fight Why u are asking for wand , u have to fight me. Lets do it @danawhite @lorenzofertitta — Vitor Belfort (@vitorbelfort) August 18, 2013

Not bad Chael — Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) August 18, 2013

Enough is enough... I want to fight @sonnench for the whole country of Brazil! Name a time, name a date and bring your face! — Phil Davis (@PhilMrWonderful) August 18, 2013

OMG Chael is out of control. Lol. #UFConFOXSports1 — Marcelino Evil (@KCBanditMMA) August 18, 2013

@sonnench well done sir. Game plan game plan game plan always wins it — Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) August 18, 2013

Lets all agree no one has better speeches then the American Gangster — Daniel Straus (@DanielStraus) August 18, 2013

#sotn get your note pad out people @sonnench can create space and punch from top better than any! #UFCBoston @ufc congrats! — Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) August 18, 2013

Unbelievable — Cosmo Alexandre (@CosmoAlexandre) August 18, 2013

Notch another one up for @sonnench, Chael Sonnen is a pioneer for us Northwest fighters #respect — Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) August 18, 2013

A can I get a hewl'yeah!!! Move of the fight: No Arm Guillotine by the man the myth @sonnench Great Job ! #TeamDarkside — Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) August 18, 2013

man chael got alot better — Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) August 18, 2013

BROWNE TOPPLES OVEREEM

Reem should have known "Crane Kick" done right no can defend — Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) August 18, 2013

Browne is tough! Not too many people on the planet could survive that barrage from Overeem. That's a big strong dude to have beating on ya! — Chris Clements (@menaceclements) August 18, 2013

Travis Brown was trying to KILL him. Those hammer fists were just straight up disrespectful. #UFConFOXSports1 — Marcelino Evil (@KCBanditMMA) August 18, 2013

You think A-Rod and Alistair shop at the same grocery store? — Jackson's MMA (@JacksonsMMA) August 18, 2013

Great job by the ref in the Browne / Overeem fight . Browne was covering up , properly defending himself ! #UFCFightNight — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) August 18, 2013

If you notice Reem stands very square...his fists & shoulders are often neutral so he can clinch.that brings your chin more fwd than normal — Brian Rogers (@BRogthePredator) August 18, 2013

Gassed in 2:38 that was a record!! — Ben Askren (@Benaskren) August 18, 2013

Congrats Travis Brown!! @mmacoachwink you guys did well — Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) August 18, 2013

OMG!!!!!! — Daniel Straus (@DanielStraus) August 18, 2013

Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes im doing my happy dance yes yes yes yes yes ooooooyeaaaaaa @travisbrowneMMA #jesus — Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) August 18, 2013

Overseen aint playing tonight but that knee was illegal as shit — Scott jorgensen (@Scottjorgensen) August 18, 2013

I havent had chills from a win for a long time!!! So stoked for @travisbrowneMMA ! ! ! — Bubba McDaniel (@BubbaTheMenace) August 18, 2013

How many times Overeem gotta disrespect 260+ pound trained killers? #UFConFOXSports1 — Marcelino Evil (@KCBanditMMA) August 18, 2013

Way to do it @travisbrownemma! Weathered the initial brutal body attack from overeem then landed a beautiful front kick to get the ko!! — Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) August 18, 2013

Holy shit ! Congrats @travisbrowneMMA all heart baby!!!! — joey beltran (@mexicutioner760) August 18, 2013

I vote @travisbrowneMMA for #1 contender. Enough said. — Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) August 18, 2013

FABER PERSEVERES

Win or lose the world will know who Yuri Alcantara is after that first few mins — Chris Clements (@menaceclements) August 18, 2013

I think luri just pissed urijah off by taking him down and nearly submitting him in the first. Awesome fight by faber! 30-27 — Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) August 18, 2013

Solid ass whoopin doled out there by Urijah Faber. Good shit. #UFConFOXSports1 — Marcelino Evil (@KCBanditMMA) August 18, 2013

MATT BROWN DOESN'T PLAY AROUND

Holy shit @IamTheImmortal what the hell?!?!?! Holy Fuck, in a really good way!!! #UFCFightNight — Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) August 18, 2013

Wow brown again shows he belongs! We need to get this guy a top 5 opponent. — Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) August 18, 2013

Haha that's what's up @IamTheImmortal dammmmmmnnn son !!!! — Dylan Andrews (@dylanthevillian) August 18, 2013

Matt brown deserves a title shot for sure... But him vs Carlos confit would be an amazing fight. — michael (@bisping) August 18, 2013

Holy hell @IamTheImmortal Great win! — Eddie Wineland (@EddieWineland) August 18, 2013

Matt Brown is definitely making a case for a title fight at welterweight! — Aaron Riley (@aaronrileymma) August 18, 2013

I bet you Matt Brown ain't handing out fucking high fives like he need extra followers on twitter and shit #UFCFightNight — Mackens Semerzier (@MackDaMenaceMMA) August 18, 2013

HOWARD VS. HALL, OR, HIGH FIVES FOR EVERYONE

HORRIBLE!!!!!!! The high 5 fight of the night WTF — Dana White (@danawhite) August 18, 2013

Uriah Hall biggest TUF bust since Philipe Nover??? — Ben Askren (@Benaskren) August 18, 2013

I do feel bad for urijah hall. I met him and he was a really nice guy. Very talented, sure he'll bounce back. — michael (@bisping) August 18, 2013

I will always shake/hug my opponent after a fight, but I'll never I repeat never do that while I'm laying down. #HallVsHoward #EyeContact — Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) August 18, 2013

Lmao man doomsday had some very bad intentions on that last bomb he threw. — Erik Jon Koch (@NEWBREED04) August 18, 2013

I've seen less high fives in a game of patty cake #hallvshoward #UFCFightNight — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) August 18, 2013

I think they just kissed #UFCFightNight — Junior Hernandez (@86_JRHernandez) August 18, 2013

Thanks Boston all my friends family fans we did it Boston strong !!!!!! #botonstrong — JohnDoomsdayHoward (@JohnDoomsday) August 18, 2013

JOHNSON ROUTES LAUZON

Wow I didn't know Michael Johnson was that good! — Ben Askren (@Benaskren) August 18, 2013

If this Michael Johnson shows up for all his fights he will be hard to stop!!! @FollowTheMenace — isaac vallie-flagg (@IKEVF) August 18, 2013

Wow that didn't look like the guy I fought last year. I wonder if he was injured or just over trained? Either way Johnson looked great! — Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) August 18, 2013

Think I gonna drop to lightweight & fight Micheal Johnson for our nickname. We're both "The Menace" but I had it first. Winner keeps it! — Chris Clements (@menaceclements) August 18, 2013

BLACKZILIANS ON FIRE!!! LETS GO LETS GO!!! — Abel Trujillo (@AbelTrujillo1) August 18, 2013

@FollowTheMenace I would love a fight with the menace, he did a great job tonight against a tough opponent! — STORMIN NORMAN PARKE (@norman_parke) August 18, 2013

BANTAMWEIGHT BRAWL

HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! — Dana White (@danawhite) August 17, 2013

Ol picket is hard to KO. I know. — Scott jorgensen (@Scottjorgensen) August 17, 2013

Holy shit...this fight.... Pickett got a chin!! — Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) August 17, 2013

Lets change the hash tag #UFCFightNight to #UFCStreetFight This fight is crazy! — Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) August 17, 2013

The accuracy of #MichaelMcDonald is extremely impressive. Efficient & technical counters. Pickett needs to feint & put combos together. — Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) August 17, 2013

The head of @One_Punch is like punching a coconut! Great recovery!! — Eddie Wineland (@EddieWineland) August 17, 2013

Mcdonald has some sharp striking. If he pushes hard he will finish. — Tim Boetsch (@TimBoetsch) August 17, 2013

I'm pretty impressed w/ the way McDonald finished! Nice transitions! #Gotjits ??? — Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) August 17, 2013

Fuck. That was slick from McDonald. Have to respect that — Tom Kong Watson (@TomKongWatson) August 17, 2013

Guted for @One_Punch unlucky mate! Next time. Great performance by McDonald. Great fight by both guys — michael (@bisping) August 17, 2013

@One_Punch you are 1 tough dude!! — STORMIN NORMAN PARKE (@norman_parke) August 17, 2013

How tough is Brad Pickett?!?!! — Dana White (@danawhite) August 17, 2013

What's with Canadian McDonalds and Backne?? — Ben Askren (@Benaskren) August 17, 2013

Feel short but couldn't have lost to a nicer kid @MaydayMcDonald wish you all the best in your future 👆👊 — Brad Pickett (@One_Punch) August 18, 2013

Just wanted to say thanks to @danawhite and the @ufc for the opportunity to help launch a network! @FOXSports1 hope it helped, boss. — Michael McDonald (@MaydayMcDonald) August 18, 2013

RISE OF THE IRISH

@TheNotoriousMMA is now officially one of my fav fighters to watch, couldn't look away the whole fight — Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) August 18, 2013

McGregor is putting on a clinic on how to utilize all the weapons of a #southpaw Beautiful to watch out there against a tough Holloway #ufc — Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) August 17, 2013

McGregor is tough. He uses all of his tools well. Max is very tough too. That wasn't an easy fight — Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 17, 2013

Just because dana takes you for a ride in his Ferrari does not make you the next best thing. The guy is talented very but hype is just hype. — Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) August 17, 2013

OMG bro the Conor McGregor man love is out of control right now. — Marcelino Evil (@KCBanditMMA) August 17, 2013

Coner McGregor is a karate styled Diaz Brother #UFCFightNight — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) August 17, 2013

Several different takedowns hit by McGregor to compliment his gr8 striking, impressive, Holloway is a tough guy too — Brian Stann (@BrianStann) August 17, 2013

All that hype after one fight .. I win 3 UFC straight n get no love 😔😔😔lol — FranCisco Rivera (@CiscoRiveraUFC) August 17, 2013

Congrats to Connor on a nice win, @BlessedMMA keep you head up brother! On to the next! — Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) August 17, 2013

@TheNotoriousMMA great performance I hope you get to fight @DiegoBrandaoMMA — Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) August 17, 2013

Conor McGregor has some type of knee injury and Holloway possible broken foot. — Dana White (@danawhite) August 17, 2013

This happened after the first kick of my fight! It hurts lol @ufc pic.twitter.com/JL6jLkOGDQ — Jerome-Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) August 18, 2013

I came for the finish. Anything else is a loss to me. — Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 18, 2013

SCREAMIN' SILER

Wow!!!! Great KO and great fight for my man @Stevesiler ! Congrats guys @Pit_Master — Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) August 17, 2013

Great work by siler but feel for brown. Shame for the guy. — michael (@bisping) August 17, 2013

he looked pretty super to me @Stevesiler #UFCFightNight 26 — John Dodson III (@JohnDodsonMMA) August 17, 2013

BRANDAO SURVIVES

Lets go @DiegoBrandaoMMA love this guy!!! Seriously has the ability to be champ one day! — michael (@bisping) August 17, 2013

People who criticize Diegos conditioning need to take into account how hard and vicious he was fighting in the first, that would exhaust ne1 — Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) August 17, 2013

@DiegoBrandaoMMA what did you tell me a couple months back f*** wrestling. Wrestling won you that fight. #goodjobbro — Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) August 17, 2013