TUF Brazil: Chael Sonnen’s coaching staff fears for their safety

Everyone expected that the bad blood would be boiling when noted American xenophobe Chael Sonnen traveled to Brazil to coach the third season of…

By: Nate Wilcox | 10 years ago
TUF Brazil: Chael Sonnen’s coaching staff fears for their safety
Bloody Elbow 2.0 | Anton Tabuena

Everyone expected that the bad blood would be boiling when noted American xenophobe Chael Sonnen traveled to Brazil to coach the third season of Ultimate Fighter: Brazil opposite Wanderlei Silva. Well if you can trust UFC president Dana White, things are already heated up way past simmer.

Here’s what he told Fox Sports 1 (via MMA Weekly):

“From what I have heard, the first day of filming was absolute insanity. Basically, it’s so crazy down there that the guys that are coaching on Chael’s team are scared to be there. That’s how insane it is inside that gym.

“I think this season is going to be explosive and crazy,” added White. “From what I’m hearing, the things that went down, Wanderlei is 100-percent being Wanderlei and Chael is being Chael.”

Chael added:

“The threats are very real, and we downplay them if anything. They’re real and genuine. Attempts have been made. It’s just the way it goes. I’m not going to live my life in fear. I don’t live in fear,” said Sonnen.”I don’t think about it a whole lot. Again, it’s a real thing. I recognize it. That’s it.”

What do you think? Has Dana burned us one too many times?

Sonnen and Silva are expected to fight after the season is completed.

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About the author
Nate Wilcox
Nate Wilcox

Nate Wilcox is the founding editor of BloodyElbow.com. As such he has hired every editor and writer to work for the site. Wilcox’s writing for BE is known for its emphasis on MMA history, the evolution of fighting techniques and strong opinions. Wilcox developed the SBN MMA consensus rankings which were featured in USA Today from 2009 to 2011. Before founding BE, Wilcox was a political operative working for such figures as Senators John Kerry and Mark Warner and an early political blogger. He is the co-author of Netroots Rising, a history of the political blogosphere from 2003 to 2007. Wilcox also hosts the Let It Roll podcast on music history for the Pantheon Podcast Network.

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