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Last week's blog was about why I don't think the UFC should have Chael Sonnen and Michael Bisping be coaches of TUF 14. One of the reasons I feel this way is that Bisping has already been a coach before. I also feel there's more than enough fighters out there that deserve a coaching spot that we don't need repeats. This brings to mind possible choices that I think would be much more interesting to be TUF coaches. These choices would also allow the public to get to know these guys a lot better as well.
Frank Edgar/Gray Maynard and Anthony Pettis/Clay Guida
This obviously depends on the outcomes of the two upcoming fights featuring these four fighters. Edgar and Maynard will fight for the UFC Lightweight title later this year while Pettis and Guida will fight at The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale. Pettis may be giving up a shot at the UFC Lightweight title if he loses, but if he wins TUF would be a way to help hype him up. If Guida beats Pettis he might not get a title shot, but stranger things have happened.
Dominick Cruz (If he beats Urijah Faber) vs. Joseph Benavidez
Faber is known to a lot of fans, but Cruz and Benavidez are still a bit under the radar. Cruz fights Faber for the UFC Bantamweight title at UFC 132 in the main event, and is 17-1 with his only loss coming to Faber four years ago. Benavidez is generally considered the #2 Bantamweight in the world and he's only lost twice in his career, with both of his losses coming to Cruz. Their second fight was a split decision after five rounds, and a third meeting between the two would be an outstanding fight. Using TUF to help build them up would be also a great way to let the world know these guys better.
Jose Aldo/Mark Hominick vs. Chad Mendes
Aldo has been a one-man wrecking crew, but Hominick looks to stop him at UFC 129 and win the UFC Featherweight Title. Mendes is 10-0 and just beat Michihiro Omigawa. Mendes might be next in line for a shot at the UFC Featherweight Title and, if so, could be given a coaching spot on an upcoming season of TUF to build that fight up.
Other guys that I think should be given consideration for TUF coaching spots are:
Nick Diaz: Diaz just showed yet again why he's a world-class fighter with his stoppage of Paul Daley. It would damn sure be an interesting season of TUF with Nick as a coach. I'm not sure if he would agree to do it, though.
Gilbert Melendez: Another Strikeforce fighter, so it's hard to find the right match as to who should he coach against, but Melendez is a top-level threat at Lightweight.
Alistair Overeem: One of the best heavyweights in the world deserves to have his name be better known. This would also set him up for a run at unifying the UFC and Strikeforce Heavyweight titles.
Antonio Silva: He just got the biggest win of his career, a big time beatdown of Fedor Emelianenko. The UFC should capitalize on that as quick as they can.
Fedor Emelianenko: The urban legend of MMA fighters. The guy might be more myth than reality at this point, but he deserves a chance to show what he's got. This might be the last chance the UFC has to make a lot of money from a Fedor fight.
I would be mistaken if I didn't also include Cain Velasquez in this list. The only problem is that he's going to fight the winner of Brock Lesnar vs. Junior Dos Santos, who are currently coaching on TUF, and the UFC wouldn't immediately repeat a coach. However, I do think they should fit Cain in there as a coach at some point. He's the UFC Heavyweight Champion and deserves a big stage to get his name out there more.
Comments and suggestion can be sent to me at hydenfrank@gmail.com
Kit Cope Wesley Cabbage Correira Patrick The Predator Côté Randy The Natural Couture Dan Cramer Alberto Crane
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