The UFC officially announced that heavyweight’s Shane Carwin and Roy Nelson will be coaching the upcoming season of “The Ultimate Fighter” (TUF) on FX that will debut in September.
Shane Carwin (12-2) is coming off a lengthy layoff which included back surgery and is finally healthy enough to resume his career. Carwin packs huge knockout power and was a former NCAA Division II national champion wrestler. Carwin is also a former UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion with big wins over Frank Mir and Gabriel Gonzaga. He spoke on the opportunity to coach on TUF against Nelson:
“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. 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.”
Roy Nelson (17-7) is coming off a huge KO win over Dave Herman at UFC 146. He is a former contestant on the reality show and was the winner of season 10. Nelson is also known for being one of the most durable heavyweights in the game with KO power, but is also a blackbelt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Nelson spoke on the opportunity to coach against Carwin:
“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. 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 show will begin taping in August and will debut on the FX channel in September and will return to a taped format that was used prior to the last season of the show. The show will continue to air on Friday nights as it did last season. In other TUF news, filming for The Ultimate Fighter: Australia vs UK – the Smashes starts in Sydney, Australia this Monday with coaches George Sotiropoulos and Ross Pearson.
Stay tuned to ProMMAnow.com for future updates on the contestants that will be competing on the show.