The UFC 183 bout between middleweights Nick Diaz and Anderson Silva is still over two months away, but that doesn't mean the trash talk isn't out in full force.

Anderson Silva Next Fight: 'The Spider' Changes His Mind, Now Open to UFC Title Shot if He Beats Nick Diaz?

Chael Sonnen, former mixed martial arts fighter turned analyst for ESPN, invited Nick Diaz's brother Nate on his podcast recently, and the host was nothing if not dismissive of Silva's "greatest of all time" distinction.

"He is not as good as they say he is," Sonnen said. "That's also a true statement. When guys go out there and fight him they will come away with that opinion."

"Everybody calls me before they fight Anderson Silva," he continued. "I tell them, 'The guy's a good fighter' all that nice stuff, 'He's not near as good as they say he is.'"

Ronda Rousey News: Will The 'Hottest Thing In MMA' Appear At Wrestlemania 31?

Later, Sonnen did walk his comments back a little.

"I don't mean to bash Anderson Silva," he conceded. "I think the guy's fantastic. All I'm saying is he's not as good as they say he is. If you're going to call a guy 'the greatest of all time' you need to be real careful with that dialogue."

Well, Nick Diaz will certainly have a chance to prove Sonnen's opinion correct -- and we're sure Silva himself will relish the opportunity to try and prove him wrong. UFC 183 is scheduled for January 31st at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.