Chael Sonnen Lauds Former UFC Fighter Turned Doctor

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Very few can excel in two different spheres of life as Thiago Tavares has done. 

Chael Sonnen recently shared the story of his former training partner, Tavares, who also had a run in the UFC. Sonnen lauded Tavares as one of the best jiu-jitsu practitioners in the state of Oregon back in the day. During his nearly decade-long UFC stint, Tavares earned seven bonuses in total. Sonnen revealed that Tavares used his earnings to attend medical school and is now a practicing doctor in Brazil.

“Thiago was a training partner of mine… One of the most talented jiu-jitsu practitioners that we ever had in the state of Oregon,” Sonnen said on YouTube. “It was a big deal when he was out here. He had a run in the UFC, did a great job, had like seven bonuses or something… I lost track with Thiago around 2011. And here we are 15 years later, what is Thiago up to? Well I find out that he used the money from those bonuses, he used the money from his fighting career and sponsors and put himself through medical school. He is now a doctor — not studying to be doctor — he is a doctor in Brazil. He’s got his own practice, he works largely with children and he’s even been published for some of the good work that he’s done.” 

After going 10-7-1 in the UFC, Tavares was released from the promotion in 2016. He competed on the regional circuit only once before entering theProfessional Fighters League featherweight tournament in 2018. While Tavares was initially studying nutrition in Brazil, a friend convinced him to move to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to study medicine at the Hector Barcelo Foundation. Tavares was already studying to be a doctor when he fought in the PFL. Tavares hung up his gloves in 2021, returning to the regional circuit to end his career. 

Tavares Hopes to Work as Doctor for UFC

Sonnen further revealed that Tavares wants to be a doctor for the UFC. According to Sonnen, the UFC chief medical director, Jeffrey Davidson, often hires local doctors for assistance. Sonnen has done his bit to get Tavares in touch with the UFC. 

“So Thiago’s telling me, ‘I would like to be a doctor for the UFC,’” Sonnen said. “Doctor Davidson has done that for the last 20-plus years… But when he goes somewhere, even though he is the head doctor for the UFC, he will oftentimes bring in a local doctor. I said let me just introduce you. That might be Marc Ratner’s call but maybe I can be of some assistance.”