Many top UFC fighters had been rumored for the coveted head-coaching slots, but as one of the organization’s most closely guarded secrets, Lesnar and Dos Santos got the call.
The show, which is likely to include some area fighters among its cast, could rival the record ratings set with “TUF 10,” a heavyweights-only season that featured four NFL vets and streetfighter Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson.
“I think when Kimbo Slice fought, we did anywhere from 4 to 6 million viewers, which are astronomical numbers for cable television,” UFC president Dana White said. “Who knows what the numbers could be this season?”
With Lesnar, they should be big. While he has as many detractors as fans, Lesnar is the UFC’s top pay-per-view draw and arguably gets more mainstream attention than any other MMA fighter. Though a former NCAA Division I wrestling champion, Lesnar has been criticized for being a poor head-coach choice, given his mere seven pro MMA fights.
But White, who knows Lesnar will round out the staff with his own top-notch coaches, thinks the criticism is unwarranted.
“The guy’s a former world champion,” White said. “He’s obviously got a lot that he can teach. And not only him, but the staff that he has around him have a lot to teach young, up-and-coming guys. And that’s what it’s really all about.”
Lesnar lost his title to Cain Velasquez in October. While the champ is sidelined with a shoulder injury, Lesnar (5-2) and Dos Santos (12-1) will fight for No. 1 contender’s status, likely at UFC 131 on June 11.
Columbus likely to get Strikeforce title fight
Strikeforce’s upcoming Ohio debut is expected get a title fight.
The March 3 event, which airs live on Showtime from Nationwide Arena in Columbus, likely will be headlined by light-heavyweight champion Rafael Cavalcante (10-2) vs. former UFC/PRIDE fighter and Olympian Dan Henderson (26-8). Negotiations are under way for the title fight.
Additional fights will be added to the card in the coming weeks.
Dann Stupp is editor-in-chief of MMAjunkie.com, voted best media outlet in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 World MMA Awards. For the latest mixed-martial-arts news, go to MMAjunkie.com.
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