The UFC announced on Tuesday that Urijah Faber and Dominick Cruz would serve as coaches for The Ultimate Fighter 15 debuting on Friday, March 9, 2012 on the FX channel. TUF 15’s finale will culminate with the coaches squaring off for Cruz’s Bantamweight title sometime mid-2012.
Via UFC Press release:
“We’re producing ground-breaking television with The Ultimate Fighter LIVE and we can’t wait to kick this season off with FX in March,” UFC President Dana White said. “It’s going to be can’t-miss TV. Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber are two incredible personalities who also happen to be two of the best fighters in the world. They genuinely dislike each other and I expect this to make for the best season yet.”
“We believe that Dana and Lorenzo (Fertitta), along with Executive Producer Craig Piligian, have come up with exciting new changes to the format of The Ultimate Fighter that will expand and grow the series,” said Chuck Saftler, Executive Vice President, FX Networks. “The fact that the fights at the end of each episode will now be televised live is certain to create a sense of urgency for UFC fans. Furthermore, the move of TUF to Friday nights will provide a great ratings boost to the network.”
It appears that Faber and Cruz will be coaching welterweights and lightweights for TUF 15.
Payout Perspective:
This coach pairing was rumored earlier this year and we’ll finally be able to see it. TUF 15 should be aided by TUF 14’s featuring of bantamweight and featherweights plus Faber and Cruz have fought since coming into the UFC from the WEC so fans should be familiar with them and their rivalry. Faber has the marketability to carry a show and the rivalry with Cruz should foster the bad blood. The personality of the coaches seems to help with attracting viewers. TUF 14’s Bisping and Miller helped keep this past season entertaining. We should see more of the same this spring.
It will be interesting to see what impact TUF’s move to Friday nights will have on its ratings. As noted earlier this week, Bellator will be moving to Fridays as well.
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