Frankie Edgar and BJ Penn Set To Coach TUF 19, Will Fight At Featherweight in 2014

A shocking announcement on tonight’s edition of “UFC Tonight” has the next season of The Ultimate Fighter already scheduled, and the coaches are probably not who you envisioned.

After a potential coaching spot opposite Urijah Faber was shot down, former UFC Lightweight champion Frankie Edgar will coach TUF 19 against his former rival and multi-class UFC champ B.J. ‘The Prodigy’ Penn. Penn had been rumored to be making a return to the Octagon at Lightweight, and he was last seen getting dismantled by Rory MacDonald at UFC on Fox 5.

Now, his return will be at Featherweight. Penn has never fought at 145 lbs. before, and he’s had his struggles making 155, showing up out of shape and gassing at times. It’s lead to many fans believing that we never saw Penn recognize his full potential.

READ MORE:  Jake Gyllenhaal reveals Conor McGregor punched him 'right in the face' during late-night Road House shoot

Edgar recently got back on the winning track by defeating Charles Oliveira in the co-main event of UFC 162. Before that, he had dropped three consecutive title fights to top competition in Benson Henderson and Jose Aldo. With so much talent waiting in the wings at Featherweight, Penn is probably the last name we expected to see opposite Edgar.

Set to debut next April, it’s a strange turn of events because Penn lost his title to Edgar via controversial decision at UFC 112 before losing a rematch with him at UFC 118. It would seem that there’s not much unfinished business between the two, but the fight will go on nonetheless.

READ MORE:  Video - UFC legend Nick Diaz teases massive fighting comeback: 'Somebody is gonna pay very soon'

TUF 19 has thrown its name into the mix right as TUF 18 has barely begun. Do you like this matchup of former rivals?

5618848430 f4eeb82312 z