Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva to coach season 3 of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil

By John Heinis on Tuesday, October 22nd 2013
Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva to coach season 3 of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil

Looks like one of the most highly-anticipated grudge matches in UFC history will finally happen, though it probably won’t be until mid-2014.

UFC President Dana White announced on FOX Sports Live late Tuesday evening that three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen will coach season 3 of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil opposite long-time arch nemesis Wanderlei Silva.

Funny enough, Sonnen, who has a broadcasting position with FOX Sports 1, was interviewing White when he revealed the news.

“Is this happening?” Sonnen asked, adding, “We’ve had some talks about this, but I didn’t know this was totally finalized. “

"You two will coach The Ultimate Fighter. You will have a ton of security down there with you, and it should be a fun season," White responded with a smile, referencing Sonnen’s past trash talk about Brazil to rile up fighters from that country.

Sonnen coached season 17 of TUF opposite light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, with “The American Gangster” getting crushed in their subsequent title bout at UFC 159 in April.

The silver-tongued superstar has since bounced back with a solid submission win over ex-205-pound champ Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC Fight Night 26 in August.

Silva, a former Pride middleweight champion who recently interrogated Sonnen at a mutual media appearance, says he has been nursing injuries since scoring a vintage knockout over Brian Stann at UFC on FUEL 8 in March.

While Silva and Sonnen has expressed interest in shutting the other’s mouth for the better part of two years, scheduling conflicts have prevented the fight from happening.

Now, barring an injury on either end, the matchup has finally come to fruition.

White did not discuss a tentative date or event for the fight, which makes sense considering season 3 of TUF Brazil will more than likely not air until 2014.

Before he gets that far, Sonnen has a tough task in front of him in the form of another former titleholder in Rashad Evans at UFC 167 next month.

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