(EMAILWIRE.COM, February 04, 2011 ) UFC President Dana White announced on February 3, 2011 that former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar and number one contender Junior dos Santos will be the next coaches of this season's TUF series. This comes as a pleasant surprise to many fans.
The TUF reality show has proven several things over since its inception. First, it paved the way for the sport of MMA. Secondly, it can make almost anyone instantly famous. Finally, if your already famous, it lets the fans know how you really are and it can most often elevate your career marketing abilities.
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The filming will begin this month and airing in March, and the battle of the heavyweights will be dramatized over the weeks in between. Although the date and location is yet to be announced, we can expect this fight to take place in June 2011. Dana White has confirmed that the winner will face current heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, who is currently sidelined with a torn rotator cuff.
Dana White said, “It’s going to be a very interesting six weeks of filming,” said White during a media teleconference Tuesday. “These two will coach, then they’ll fight, and the winner of the fight will fight Cain Velasquez when he’s healthy.”
From reports by mmafighting dot com, Dana White has been impressed with both Brock Lesnar and Junior as The Ultimate Fighter Coaches. Dana said, "All has gone swimmingly and Lesnar has so far done nothing but embrace the opportunity to coach the next cast of UFC hopefuls. I'm actually impressed and happy with how competitive they both are and how into it they both are. One of the cool things that happens every season is, guys come on and they totally buy into it and get into it, and end up creating relationships for a lifetime. Brock's been just like that. In the whole history of the show, I think we've only ever had Ken Shamrock come on and not give a you know what. I think he's the only coach that ever came on and didn't care. Brock's been good so far."
Dos Santos is undefeated since joining the UFC in 2008 and many believe is the next champion in the making for the UFC. Junior has recorded six straight victories in less than three years, including four first-round finishes.
As for Lesnar, his loss to Cain Velasquez was his second in only seven fights, since dropping a first-round submission to Frank Mir at UFC 81 back in February. 2008. His agreement to appear on The Ultimate Fighter show is startling, as the former pro-wrestling figure is known for escaping media and cameras whenever possible. Lesnar has become a lot more humble since dropping his second loss and seems to be having much more respect for the sport in general.
Chris Greenman CEO / President ProFightNetwork
Independent Journalist
