Bellator and Spike TV are pulling out all the stops for their new reality show titled Fight Master: Bellator MMA that debuts later this year.
It was first announced last week that UFC Hall of Famer and two-weight class champion Randy Couture had signed on to be a coach on the new Bellator reality show.
He was the first confirmed coach, but now three more very well known names in the MMA industry have been announced to join Couture on the new reality show.
MMA legend and former UFC and Strikeforce champion Frank Shamrock, MMA coach and guru Greg Jackson and former Bellator champion Joe Warren will serve as the other three coaches working with a group of 32 up and coming athletes hoping to make their way to the Bellator cage later this year.
The Hollywood Reporter first announced the news on Tuesday, with representatives for both Frank Shamrock and Greg Jackson confirming their respective roles on the new reality show to Bleacher Report on Tuesday.
The new show is produced by Amazing Race creator and producer Bertram Van Munster and is expected to debut in the spring or summer of 2013. The fighters will compete in a tournament style format similar to the Ultimate Fighter, where athletes look to earn their way into the promotion via the reality show.
Couture’s signing came as a shock last week after appearing on UFC television in early December as part of the UFC on Fox analyst team. He then opted to sign a deal with Spike TV that has now ended in his exile from the UFC in every way, shape and form.
“Randy Couture can’t buy a ticket to this motherf—king event,” said UFC President Dana White when speaking to reporters following the end of the UFC 156 post fight press conference.
It’s no secret why Frank Shamrock would sign on to work with Bellator and Spike TV due to his well-known and well documented grudge with the UFC, particularly with president Dana White.
Shamrock and White have a long-standing feud that reaches back several years, and this latest move will only strengthen that rivalry.
It is also no shock that former Bellator champion Joe Warren will serve as coach with both his ties to the promotion and his history as a coach and mentor to many fighters throughout the MMA industry.
The one very interesting addition is famous coach and teacher Greg Jackson, who will join Couture, Shamrock and Warren on the show. Jackson is a mainstay among UFC circles, working with several high profile fighters including UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, Carlos Condit and Diego Sanchez.
It’s unclear at this time if Jackson’s involvement with the new Bellator reality show will hurt his relationship with the UFC, or if it ultimately matters at all.
More details for the new Bellator reality show will be released today during a 2pm ET conference call with Randy Couture and Spike TV officials. Bleacher Report will have additional information following the end of the call.
Damon Martin is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise noted.
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