In case it’s slipped your mind, the 18th season of the UFC reality show The Ultimate Fighter is going to premier on Sept. 4 on Fox Sports 1. Coaching the show will be UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and the woman who has become her archenemy, Miesha Tate.
The upcoming season breaks new ground in two ways. First, it’s the first season to feature female coaches. Second, it’s the first season that will have both male and female fighters living inside the TUF house.
UFC president Dana White, talked about the Rousey-Tate-based season on Saturday night during the post-fight media scrum, saying, “Episode one and two are done, and episode one is great, and episode two is awesome. I know what goes on during the fight, but I don’t see the reality (portion) unless something bad happens and then I get involved. One and two are really good. One is great, and two is amazing.”
Some of that may be the promoter in White talking. The show is moving to a new network with this season, and the fact that Rousey is coaching has the promotion hoping for home run ratings, as the women’s champion is one of the sports most marketable stars.
Then again, White’s words may ring true. The two coaches have shown a healthy dislike for each other in the past. It’s doubtful the time on the show was able to smooth things over.
If you think otherwise, the UFC rolled out a promotional video for the upcoming TUF season during the UFC on Fox 8 fight card. From the video, it’s clear that tensions will run high between the coaches from day one.
Rousey will defend her title against Tate in the co-main event of UFC 168. That fight will take place on Dec. 28 from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be headlined by Chris Weidman defending his middleweight title against the man he took the belt from, Anderson Silva.
*All quotes obtained first hand by Bleacher Report.
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