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06/05/09 - Rampage may be offered TUF 10 coach spot
Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson is being considered for a second run as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter, Fighters Only has been told by a US source.
The former light-heavyweight champion was apparently a big hit with Spike TV executives thanks to his charismatic and extrovert nature.
A well-placed source told Fighters Only this evening that Spike is keen to see Jackson return for a second time when season ten begins filming later this year.
However, no firm offer has yet been made to Jackson and the idea to have him return is merely one of several on the table at present.
One potential stumbling block is that Jackson is next in line for a shot at the light-heavyweight title belt he used to hold, and which current champion Rashad Evans is set to defend on May 23rd.
But with filming on TUF season ten due to start in the next month or so, for a duration of six weeks, the timing could allow Jackson to take part assuming that his title shot were to take place later in 2009.
However, with the usual TUF format being that the opposing coaches face off after the season concludes, it does beg the question of who Jackson's opposite number would be.
Rashad Evans is a TUF graduate himself and with Michael Bisping currently coaching a team on season nine, Spike and the UFC are clearly not averse to letting past students become the master.
And should Lyoto Machida be victorious on May 23rd, then a coaching spot on TUF 10 would be an ideal way of helping to build a fanbase for a champion fighter that the UFC has thus far found difficult to market.
Antonio Nogueira was a coach on season eight so the precedent for a Brazilian coach has already been set, and Machida is known to be working hard on his English language skills.
The Ultimate Fighter also has a history of allowing British fighters to participate, so viewers have become used to reading subtitles.
John Joe O'Regan
john.fightersonly@gmail.com
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