TUF Brazil 3 - Episode Two Preview

ufc.tv/BRAZIL_FILES/GINASIOTUFBRASIL3/ginasio-tuf-05.jpg" align="left">Following an action-packed first episode of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3, a second slate of fighters will fill up the second hour, with 16 competitors all vying for a shot at the prize of being offered a six-figure contract in the UFC while being coached by either Wanderlei Silva or Chael Sonnen.
 
Silva and Sonnen, in many ways, will be the focal point of this upcoming season, if for no other reason than that these two do not like each other in any way, shape or form.  Sonnen has never been shy with his words about Silva, and in turn the former PRIDE champion usually has an expletive-laden response that would make Joe Pesci blush.
 
Still, for the first two episodes of TUF Brazil 3, the fighters are the real stars of the show as they compete just to have a chance to make it into the house before the tournament begins to crown a new heavyweight and middleweight winner for the reality competition.
 
Amidst those competing for a shot in the house is a fighter named Marcio Alexandre, better known to anyone and everyone in the MMA world as “Lyoto.”  The nickname is obvious because Marcio comes from a karate background and developed his style in such a way that he is a mirror image to former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida.  Now, even at home or in the gym, all of his friends and training partners just call him Lyoto.
 
Also in this episode is veteran heavyweight competitor Thiago Santos, who many will recognize from his time competing in a few other high-level MMA shows in the past.  The monstrous Santos was an early favorite going into the show, but that also means he's going to have a big target on his back from the very first time he steps foot in the Octagon.  Then there's Guilherme Vasconcelos, who will remind viewers of The Ultimate Fighter Nations of Canadian fighter Elias Theodorou.  It's not so much his fighting style that makes the Brazilian similar to his Canadian counterpart - it's his love of hair care and always having perfectly coiffed style.
 
And who can't get behind a fighter whose nickname is “Lex Luthor?”  The fighter in question is Vitor Miranda, who - beyond sharing a nickname with Superman's arch nemesis - is also a dangerous Muay Thai specialist with dynamite in his hands and feet. 
 
Much like the first episode in the series, the finishes come fast and furiously with another highlight-reel knockout happening this week as well as some slick jiu-jitsu on display from the competitors.  Another familiar face dotting the television screen this week is Sonnen's head assistant coach and former Ultimate Fighter finalist Vinny Magalhaes, who can be seen beside his good friend scribbling notes and helping to determine the top picks for the upcoming season.  Magalhaes is a Brazilian icon when it comes to his grappling pedigree and accomplishments, but it will be interesting to see how the fighters and fans react to him teaming up with Sonnen for another season of The Ultimate Fighter.
 
Once the fights are over this week, it's time for the coaches to start making their picks for the teams but as first teased on last week's episode, Wanderlei Silva is looking for a little retribution from Sonnen before the show can even officially get underway.  Silva wants Sonnen to apologize or he's ready to walk away from the show entirely.  The fighters all stand by looking befuddled as Silva and Sonnen's rivalry boils over just minutes after the first bouts of the year are over.
 
"I want you to apologize," Silva said.  "If you don't do it, the show ends here."
 
Just two episodes in and Silva is already going for the jugular on Sonnen, but what has Wanderlei so rattled that he's willing to offer an ultimatum at this stage in the competition?  Tune into The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 for the second episode tonight, only on UFC Fight Pass. 

TUF Brazil 3 airs on UFC Fight Pass every Sunday night at 10pm ET / 7pm PT. To watch, visit www.ufc.tv