Fighters Only Magazine is reporting that Michael Bisping (as expected) will be the coach for the UK team in The Ultimate Fighter 9: USA vs. UK, the ninth season of the groundbreaking MMA reality show on SpikeTV. Bisping is the winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Ortiz vs. Shamrock. He is 5-1 in the UFC and is riding a two-fight win streak into his bout with Chris Leben tomorrow. The coach of Team USA hasn't been announced yet but the frontrunners are former number one contender Nate "The Great" Marquardt and former PRIDE Champion Dan "Hendo" Henderson. Rich "Ace" Franklin could also coach the show for a second time should he defeat Henderson in their upcoming bout. The show will feature middleweights (185-lbs) and welterweights (170-lbs) competing for UFC contracts. No word yet on whether the show will still be in Las Vegas or if the setting could move overseas.
Bisping will be 'taking the piss' at the other team and coach for sure. Although I don't think Dan would stand for it and Rich is too nice to get caught up on any shenanigans.
seems like the obvious choice. Leben looked crazy on the spike interviews though. He looks better than ever. Watch out COUNT!!!
I have a doubts about this season of the show. The finals are probably gonna have to be USA vs UK but what if one country is totally dominating? Will the best 2 fighters not actually get to compete in the finals just cause it has to be UK vs USA?
it'll be like any other season where one side has 3/4 or perhpas 4/4 of the semi finalists, at least one guy will have to go train with the other team in the semi's. the US vs UK theme will be big enough of a draw and the coaches fighting each other will be US vs UK.
