Anderson Silva will no longer coach the fourth season of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil.
UFC president Dana White announced last week that the former middleweight champion would continue in his role as coach during his process with the Nevada Athletic Commission after testing positive for two banned substances prior to his UFC 183 bout with Nick Diaz, but NAC asked the promotion to replace Silva.
The UFC announced Monday that former interim heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, who already coached two seasons of the reality show, will replace his teammate. Mauricio Rua, a former light heavyweight champion, will be the opposite coach on the show.
Globo, which airs the reality show in Brazil, told MMAFighting.com on Friday that they were involved in the decision to keep Silva as one of the coaches despite the failed drug test, but accepts NAC’s decision.
Here’s is UFC’s statement:
The UFC announced today that Brazilian legend Rodrigo “Big Nog” Nogueira will join the cast of The Ultimate Fighter® Brazil 4, the organization’s signature television reality series, as coach following the departure of UFC middleweight Anderson Silva.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission, which regulates The Ultimate Fighter series’ exhibition fights filmed in Las Vegas, requested that Silva cease participation in the series as a result of his temporary suspension following the recently announced preliminary results of his January 9 pre-fight drug test for UFC® 183.
The UFC and Globo, the show’s Brazilian broadcaster, respect the Commission’s decision, which will allow Silva to focus his attention on the matter before the Commission. Anderson Silva has been an amazing champion and a true ambassador of the sport of mixed martial arts and the UFC will continue to support him as this process unfolds.
The series, which began filming in Las Vegas on Monday, Feb. 2, originally featured Silva and former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua as head coaches. Rua will continue on as coach of Team Shogun versus the newly formed Team Nogueira, which will also include Big Nog’s twin brother Rogerio “Lil Nog” Nogueira as an assistant coach.