Cote throwing a right hand (photo via UFC.com)

By Kelsey Mowatt

In addition to a host of bout confirmations, the UFC also announced this week that as expected, the next international version of “The Ultimate Fighter” will feature teams from Australia and Canada. The Australian competitors will be coached by veteran Kyle Noke, and Team Canada will be guided by former middleweight contender,  Patrick Cote.

From the Canadian team’s perspective, the selection of Cote should come as no surprise, as other than welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre, there may not be a UFC vet with a bigger name. Before TUF Nations was confirmed Cote relayed that he’d honored to coach Team Canada, and after it was officially announced this week, the 33 year-old told Full Contact Fighter:

“It’s awesome,” said Cote, who is coming off a successful debut at welterweight, as he worked his way to a tightly contested unanimous decision over Bobby Voelker in March. “Cant wait to start this show and sweep (the) Australian team.”

Try outs for the show will take place in Toronto and Sydney this September, and the show is expected to begin airing early next year. The show will feature competitors from the welterweight division.

One thing that was missing in the UFC’s recent announcement, was whether Noke and Cote will battle after the season concludes,  in keeping with previous seasons. When asked whether he’s supposed to fight Noke at the show’s finale, Cote said:

“I think so.  Its the concept of the show since the beginning.”

The UFC could not immediately be reached to confirm whether the coaches will fight.

Stay tuned to Full Contact Fighter more more on TUF Nations and all your UFC news.