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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
On Wednesday night, the UFC announced that Ross Pearson and George Sotiropoulos would coach against one another on the next international edition of The Ultimate Fighter, pitting the U.K. against Australia. On Thursday, the next U.S. edition of The Ultimate Fighter got its coaches as well.
The new season on FX will see the show return to a taped format following the debut live season on FX this spring, and heavyweights Shane Carwin and Roy Nelson will lead the two teams, leading into a fight this fall.
"This is going to be a very interesting dynamic between these two heavyweights," said UFC President Dana White. "They both have huge punching power and great chins but, outside of the Octagon, they couldn't be more different. These two have been going at it on social media for a while and don't seem to like each other very much, but they are going to be seeing a lot of each other during this series and I guarantee it'll make for great TV.”
"Working with Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta and Craig Piligian on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter on FX was one of the highlights of my professional career," added Chuck Saftler, the Executive Vice President of FX Networks. "I'm thrilled to be able to continue this working relationship, and I'm extremely confident we're going to make season two the best possible viewing experience for UFC fans."
Carwin has been out of action since June of 2011, where he suffered a decision loss to now-Champion Junior dos Santos. That bout came after a long layoff, following his loss to Brock Lesnar the year before in a title bout. Carwin underwent surgery last fall for lingering back and neck issues, and has been inactive because of that.
The 37-year-old Carwin specifically asked to coach this season against Nelson, and he'll be bringing several coaches from the Grudge Training Center with him to Las Vegas for the season, which begins filming next month.
"I'm very excited to get this opportunity. Coaching TUF is something I asked for and really wanted to do," said Carwin. "I see myself being an MMA coach when my own career is over and can't wait to start working with my Grudge Training team to help the next generation of UFC stars achieve their dreams.
"I also asked to coach against Roy Nelson," he continued. "The fans know how I like to conduct myself both in and out of the Octagon, and I respect every fighter, coach, official and fan in the UFC. But I cannot respect a man like Roy Nelson - because he shows no respect himself. He is a keyboard warrior who doesn’t have the guts to talk trash to my face, but now he’s going to have to be in the same room, the same gym and finally the same Octagon as me.
"I know I am a better fighter and trainer than he is. I will prove I'm a better trainer in TUF and then, when we fight, I will hit him harder than anyone has ever hit him and teach him some respect."
Nelson is hoping to continue get a run going in the heavyweight division after his first round KO of Dave "PeeWee" Herman in May. The former winner of The Ultimate Fighter will return to the place that gave him his UFC opportunity, and will be out to win his third fight in four bouts when he takes on Carwin this winter.
"When I found out I was going to be a TUF coach I was like 'Wow me!' When I found out I was coaching against Shane Carwin I was so happy to get a chance to compete against this guy," Nelson said. "As for being in the same room as him, I try not hang out with people that make me feel icky on the inside but, to coach TUF, I will make an exception."
"Shane Carwin can think he is the better fighter and coach, but I will do my best and try to represent the Average Joe and show my team that, with hard work, you can walk away a winner against any fighter."
The new season of The Ultimate Fighter begins airing on FX this September, with the Finale likely for late November, early December.
[Shane Carwin art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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