UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez will coaching the first season of The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America opposite top contender Fabricio Werdum, who he will defend his belt against at UFC 180 on November 15 in Mexico City.
UFC President Dana White revealed the news in a special press conference Tuesday afternoon in Mexico City.
Since returning to the UFC in February 2012, Werdum has stormed the heavyweight division, scoring convincing wins over Roy Nelson, Mike Russow, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Travis Browne.
A world-renowned second-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, “Vai Cavalo” showed off his underrated Muay Thai skills when he picked apart Browne on the feet for five rounds at UFC on FOX 11 just 11 days ago.
Meanwhile, Velasquez will also enter the championship fight on a four-fight win streak, most recently decimating Junior dos Santos at UFC 166 in October.
The champ has been recuperating on the sidelines following shoulder surgery late last year, but will apparently be ready to go before 2014 comes to a close.
Velasquez boasts a 13-1 record as professional mixed martial artist and has avenged his sole loss to dos Santos twice.
TUF: Latin America will feature bantamweight and featherweight fights and will air on FOX Sports 1 during the week of August 18.