Chael Sonnen is back coaching `The Ultimate Fighter` for his third season. This comes alongside his new role as a commentator and analyst for Hulk Hogan’s Real American Freestyle.
Unlike previous seasons where he faced rivals like Jon Jones and Wanderlei Silva, this latest season of TUF sees him coaching against his friend and co-host, Daniel Cormier.
The debut episode offered viewers a look at the dynamic between the two teams. Sonnen`s team, which includes Colby Covington as a coach, got off to a strong start.
They secured their first victory when Joseph Morales earned an upset win over Eduardo Henrique from Team Cormier.
However, it was the pre-fight actions of his fellow coach, Cormier, that seemed to make the biggest impression on Sonnen in the premiere episode.
Sonnen Was Unprepared for Cormier’s Competitive Approach on TUF
In an exclusive interview with Bloody Elbow, Chael Sonnen shared his thoughts on whether he witnessed a different aspect of Daniel Cormier during their time coaching on `The Ultimate Fighter`.
“Yes, and I must tell you, I respected it,” Sonnen stated. “I just wasn’t ready for it. I didn’t know that it existed when we got to those events, whether it was the way some of the stuff that they showed on camera, some of the stuff that didn’t make it past the edit, I was not ready for Daniel to behave like that.”
The two are regular co-hosts on ESPN’s ‘Good Guy/Bad Guy’ show, known for their friendly banter. However, `TUF` placed them in a head-to-head competitive environment.
This intensity was evident in the first episode when Cormier and his team chanted “uh vai morrer” (which translates to “you’re going to die”) to support their Brazilian fighter.
Following an intense weigh-in, Sonnen commended his fighter, Joseph Morales, for remaining unfazed by the pre-fight antics before ultimately securing a submission victory.
Sonnen explained that while he respected Cormier’s competitive attitude on the show, he wished he had anticipated it so he could have responded in kind.
“You know, Daniel’s one of the boys. He’s still in the room. He’s still getting his workouts in… and generally speaking, when you’re one of the boys, you act like one of the boys,” Sonnen commented. “Then he got put in a coaching role, which is a more responsible realm. So whatever a sportsman I thought Daniel was, I thought he’d be more of a sportsman in this situation and that part did throw me off. I was not ready for him. I enjoyed it. I wish I would have known so that I could have fired back but if I’m being, it caught me off guard.”
What to Expect in The Ultimate Fighter Season 33
The second episode is scheduled to air on June 3. It will feature Danil Donchenko, Team Cormier’s #2 welterweight pick, taking on Richard Martins, Team Sonnen’s #3 pick.
Martins, hailing from Brazil, boasts a record of 4 consecutive wins in LFA and has secured 8 finishes in his 9 professional victories.
Donchenko, from Ukraine, holds a pro record of 11-2 at just 23 years old. Both fighters are known for their striking abilities.
Based on previews, it appears tensions between the two teams and some of the individual competitors are likely to escalate throughout the season.
Additionally, fans can look forward to guest appearances from several TUF alumni, including Robert Whittaker and Rashad Evans, who will visit to offer guidance.
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