The next international version of The Ultimate Fighter will happen later this year when The Nations: Team Canada vs. Team Australia goes down, and now the two coaches who will lead the squads have been named as well.
The UFC announced via press release on Friday that former Ultimate Fighter competitors Patrick Cote (Team Canada) and Kyle Noke (Team Australia) will lead their respective team of welterweights in the competition that will begin in September.
Cote and Noke have both been very vocal in their efforts to land the coaching jobs for their countries, and now they will have a chance to lead a group of 170-pound hopefuls into battle for the chance to earn a contract with the UFC.
Cote told Bleacher Report back in April, right after signing a new four-fight deal with the UFC, that coaching on The Ultimate Fighter would be a great opportunity while also bringing his career full circle.
Cote was a contestant on the show during the fourth season, where he earned his way back to the UFC as part of the “comeback” season.
“I have the experience as a contestant, and to be there as a coach and to represent my country, I think it would be nice for everybody there. I’m pretty well known in Quebec with the French television broadcasts I’ve been doing,” Cote said in the interview. “I would go there to help those guys. I would not go there for my personal exposure. I want to help and share what I know with those guys. I did my first fight like 10 years ago. So maybe I’m not the best in every aspect, but I’m good in all areas and I think I could help those guys learn.”
It didn’t take long for Noke to also chime in with his desire to coach on the show as well. Speaking with MMA‘s Great Debate Radio, Noke expressed his wish to land the coaching job opposite Cote before facing him in the Octagon when the show concluded.
Noke always seemed like a natural choice for the Australian team since he was one of the first high profile MMA competitors to come out of the country several years ago.
“It would mean a lot to me. I’d love to have the opportunity to coach the young Australians, and help them pursue their dreams and it would mean the world to me,” Noke stated. “It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do, and I’d be happy.”
Now, Cote and Noke both get their wish granted and will face off as Ultimate Fighter coaches. The casting will begin in September with a group of welterweights being chosen for the show that will air on Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada and FX in Australia.
Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist and all quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
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