Things looked grim for the UFC’s top heavyweight contender Junior dos Santos. With an upcoming title bout with champion Cain Velasquez sidelined for up to a year, “Cigano” was likely looking at being put on the shelf also having to wait for Valesquez’ return.
Luckily for him, and fans, the UFC offered him a coaching job opposite Brock Lesnar on the upcoming season of “The Ultimate Fighter” and it was an offer the Brazilian jumped at.
Speaking to Portal do Vale Tudo, dos Santos is looking forward to coaching on the reality TV series and relishes the chance to impart some of his knowledge on new fighters.
“I liked the choice and opportunity to be the coach of the reality show will be a great challenge. My English is not 100% but I will do my best and I’m sure I’d be good…he Lesnar is a tough guy, is great. It is different from Cain Velasquez, because it is larger but is a bit slower, but it is as dangerous as Cain. It will be different, but I’ll keep working the same, which is the takedown defense and my boxing…
“I’m still picking my team. The Dorea will be the coach of boxing, Billy, an American friend, should be the coach of MuayThai. I’m thinking of someone else’s Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling and Rodrigo is perhaps the wrestling, which is very good, and speaks both Portuguese and English, which helps in communication. I think early next week we will have the full team.”
Filming for the reality series begins later this month and the series will start broadcasting episodes in March. Both men will meet in Vancouver on June 11th with the winner going on to fight Velasquez for the UFC heavyweight title.
Props to Fighters Only Magazine