CHAEL SONNEN & WANDERLEI SILVA ARE ANNOUNCED AS THE UFC TUF BRAZIL COACHES
By Damon Martin of MSN
One of the most heated rivalries in UFC history will come to a head during the next season of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil when Chael Sonnen squares off against Wanderlei Silva, first as coaches on the reality show and then as opponents in the Octagon.
UFC President Dana White announced the news during an interview with FOX Sports Live on Monday while being interviewed by Sonnen, who found out the news while speaking to his boss.
While the two fighters both appeared on board to face off, Silva was recovering from a back injury that will keep him out of action until early 2014, so the UFC opted to match Sonnen against Rashad Evans in a fight that will take place at UFC 167 in November.
Once Sonnen is finished with Evans — win, lose or draw — he will face Silva next after a stint as coach on The Ultimate Fighter Brazil.
This will be a second run as coach on The Ultimate Fighter for both competitors. Sonnen coached season 17 against Jon Jones, while Silva participated in the first ever season of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil when he faced off with Vitor Belfort.
The two fighters are expected to begin filming the new Ultimate Fighter in the next few months, presumably after Sonnen finishes his fight with Evans, and then they will head to Brazil to coach the newest crop of fighters looking to make their way to the UFC.
When the season is over, Sonnen will then face Silva inside the Octagon as the two light heavyweights look to settle their differences once and for all.
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