• UFC 136

Sonnen's 'conflict' as mentor plans Stann's strategy

Chael Sonnen wishes John Bardis was not in his opponent's corner © UFC

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Chael Sonnen admits that he faces a 'major conflict' ahead of his meeting against Brian Stann - because his mentor will be advising Stann on how to beat him.

Sonnen is set to face Stann at UFC 136 in Texas later this month, with both men hoping to advance their middleweight title shot ambitions with a victory in Houston. But Sonnen admits that beating Stann will not be straightforward, as he is concerned about the inside information his long-time mentor, John Bardis, is giving his new charge.

Sonnen believes that Bardis' insight is his biggest problem ahead of the fight - believing Stann doesn't have the ability to beat him without such expert advice.

"My biggest problem isn't Brian Stann," Sonnen told the Daily Telegraph. "My biggest concern going into this fight is that his coach is my mentor. A man named John Bardis. It's a major conflict for me. I don't know if Brian Stann can figure out how to beat me. But I know that John Bardis does know how to beat me.

"I'm a wrestler - John Bardis is a distinguished member of the wrestling Hall of Fame. There's nothing in my bag of tricks he doesn't know how to counter. I love the guy. He treats me like a son. He's a great man. He's more than a friend. He's a mentor to me.

"I'm saying this very light-heartedly, but if I could change one thing, I would take coach John Bardis out of his corner and stick him up in the stands and make him watch us. I'm not happy that he's going to be coming up with Brian's game plan."

Despite Stann have Sonnen's mentor in his corner, the latter insists he will not try to rile him with his famously sharp tongue.

"Brian Stann's a great guy. I'm not going to say a word against him," Sonnen said. "I didn't like Paulo Filho, or Anderson Silva. Let them bow to your face and stab you in the back."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.