We finally know when Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen will make sweet violence to one another for a second time: It’ll be June 23 in Rio de Janeiro.
Sonnen likely won’t be well-received by the fans there. That’s what happens when you spend two years badmouthing an entire country and their most beloved fighter. But another UFC fighter says he’s not too keen on fighting in Brazil either.
Frank Mir explained his viewpoint while talking to CraveOnline:
The only reason why I at first said, ‘hmmm, maybe not a good idea’ (was) when I found out he wanted to fight in June in Brazil. I was like, ‘Ah, I don’t know if that would be such a great idea, I don’t know if I’m gonna be that well received there.’
I’d have to go there for a whole week with my family, my wife and my children … I don’t think I’m in (Chael Sonnen’s) boat yet. But at the same time if I go to a restaurant and someone is a Nogueira fan, what are they gonna do to my food? Brazilian fans, fans in general, can be kinda crazy … I’ve received quite a few crazy Emails … Google translate is a phenomenal thing but it kind of makes you cringe a little bit when you see what people wanna say.
The Brazilian fans are certainly the most vocal and outgoing in the entire sport. During the UFC’s first trip to Brazil, media members sitting by the octagon were showered in beer thrown by unruly fans.
They’re passionate about the sport, but you can’t blame Mir and other UFC stars who are hesitant to fight there.
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