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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Two Ultimate Fighter winners are heading into coaching roles for a version of the long-running series, as Kelvin Gastelum and Efrain Escudero have been named as coaches for the second season of "TUF: Latin America."
As the two fighters compete a couple of divisions apart from one another, there will be no coaches bout, but they'll likely compete in separate fights on the finale event later this year.
"TUF: Latin America 2" will feature eight lightweight and eight welterweight competitors, and will begin filming in Las Vegas later this month. It will begin airing in Mexico and other Latin American countries - as well as UFC Fight Pass - this August.
Gastelum, though American born, is of Mexican descent, and won the 17th season of TUF back in 2013. He suffered his first career loss by split decision in January against Tyron Woodley, but in his fight prior to that he stopped Jake Ellenberger in Mexico City at UFC 180.
"My experience traveling throughout Latin America and my fight in Mexico City, has opened me eyes to the incredible talent of this region," said Gastelum in a Spanish-language press release. "With this new generation of Latin American fighters, I gained a new level of responsibility to support and help grow the sport in these countries. I am excited to have this incredible opportunity and help these fighters fulfill their dreams as they were made mine."
The 29-year-old Escudero won the eighth season of The Ultimate Fighter in 2008, and returned to the organization for his third stint last September. The Mexican-born competitor split his two appearances since then, most recently defeating Rodrigo de Lima at UFC Fight Night 60 last month.
"Being one of the coaches of The Ultimate Fighter is something I had always dreamed of," said Escudero. "The experience of spending the whole process to try to be in the show and then be selected and later winning is really amazing and something I will never forget. Now as a coach, I have the opportunity to give participants 100% Me, my knowledge, my experience, those who have the dream of The Ultimate Fighter. I hope to help these young people achieve their dream. I can assure you, this will be a great season of The Ultimate Fighter Latin America."
The Finale event will take place late in 2015 in Mexico, and will be the second event in the country for the UFC this year as they hit Mexico City once again in June for UFC 188.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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