There was considerable speculation that the UFC would feature the bantamweights on the 14th season of The Ultimate Fighter by having 135lb champ Dominick Cruz and top contender Urijah Faber coach. Instead it looks like they're going for guaranteed strong personalities by having Chael Sonnen and Michael Bisping coach the season with a number one contender's match as a reward according to Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer (subscription required). It should definitely be entertaining for fans if it comes to fruition:

"The plan from Spike TV and UFC for the next season of Ultimate Fighter, which would air September through December, is to have Chael Sonnen and Michael Bisping as coaches to build to a PPV match in December. The winner would likely be in line for the first middleweight title match of 2012."



"Neither UFC nor Spike can publicly announce this due to Sonnen not being licensed in Nevada. ... The decision, rumored for weeks, is controversial and will likely be heavily criticized if it does happen."

Chael Sonnen (25-11-1) [Num. 3]

Loss Anderson Silva - Submission (Triangle Armbar) UFC 117

Win Nate Marquardt - Decision (Unanimous) UFC 109

Win Yushin Okami - Decision (Unanimous) UFC 104

Michael "The Count" Bisping (21-3) [Num. 8]

Win Jorge Rivera - TKO (Punches) UFC 127

Win Yoshihiro Akiyama - Decision (Unanimous) UFC 120

Win Dan Miller - Decision (Unanimous) UFC 114

The Ultimate Fighter 14 debut coverage