Even though the current season of “The Ultimate Fighter” just got underway, leading mixed martial arts promotion UFC is already hyping the next cycle.
UFC President Dana White confirmed Wednesday that Frankie Edgar and BJ Penn will serve as coaches of the next season–the show’s nineteenth–before fighting at featherweight next spring.
Edgar, who is coming off a featherweight win over Charles Oliveira, defeated Penn in back-to-back 2010 lightweight championship fights.
Since losing his belt to Edgar, Penn scored a knockout win over Matt Hughes, fought Jon Fitch to a draw and then lost back-to-back contests to Nick Diaz and Rory MacDonald.
Prior to confirming the Edgar vs. Penn rematch, UFC was looking into booking Edgar and Urijah Faber as opposing coaches. But with Edgar presently fighting at 145 and Faber currently at 135, UFC was unable to iron out a post-season fight.
Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey serve as coaches of the current season, which broadcast its second episode Wednesday.
