Chael Sonnen has been fighting professionally for eight years and has racked up a total of 35 professional fights along the way. His 36th fight against Nate Marquardt at UFC 109 could be the most important in his eight year career. A win over Marquardt could boost Sonnen into the upper echelon of talent in a stacked UFC middleweight division.

"I am on a quest," said a confident Sonnen. "It goes through the Octagon -- getting that 12 lb gold belt. Priority number 1 is Nate Marquardt. Nate's been through here. Nate and I spent a week training together... now this was five years ago, but those were five hard days. When I left, I kinda scratched my head and thought, 'that guy is really good.' I know I have closed the gap and done some things a lot better. The downside for me is he certainly got better in those five years as well. A lot of guys in this division think he is the number one guy. I want to be that guy. Getting the call to fight Nate is all that more flattering."

Sonnen is an even 3-3 with the UFC and knows he has to perform well at UFC 109 if he wants to make an impact at 185. However, in Sonnen's way of thinking, the pressure is all on Marquardt.

"It's a tough spot for Nate," said Sonnen. "This is a fight he is supposed to win. He's ranked number two, I'm ranked number six. That means he is supposed to win. I bet he probably envy's my spot a little bit. With that said, it doesn't do me any good to go out there and have a good close match. A good tough fight. I have to beat him. When they shut that door, I will find a way to win this fight."

Make sure to check back with us the day of the event for free, live, round-by-round coverage of UFC 109 right here at FiveKnuckles.com! Join expert analyst Mike Williams as he takes you through the entire fight card blow-by-blow and then keep it right here for all the post-fight news and notes you can handle!