Newly re-signed Patrick Cote would love to coach Canada vs. Australia 'TUF'

Patrick Cote (19-8 MMA, 6-8 UFC) thinks he has the experience and knowledge to guide the careers of up-and-coming Canadian fighters.

Cote, who recently signed a new four-fight deal with the UFC, said he would be honored to accept a job as coach if a rumored Canada vs. Australia version of “The Ultimate Fighter” materializes.

“I think I can teach something to those guys, and I’ll go there to help, not for my personal exposure,” Cote told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). “It could be fun. If they ask me to do it, for sure I would say yes.”

A recent report stated that the fourth international version of the long-running reality show was to begin filming in the near future, but the UFC has yet to confirm its plans, and UFC President Dana White has declined to answer questions about the rumored “TUF.” 

Cote, a onetime UFC middleweight title challenger who this past month successfully debuted at welterweight, said he didn’t have any additional information on whether the rumored season was a go, but has a team in place if things change.

He cited his longtime jiu-jitsu coach and MMA vet Fabio Holanda as one person he’d bring on set, as well as his striking and wrestling coaches.

“I have a lot of good people around me who can give me the help I need and help those guys,” he said. “I’m going to bring everything I can, but I can bring experience, because I fought for a title. I know what it is to fight on a big stage.”

Now 33 years old, Cote made his octagon debut at UFC 50, when he stepped in for an injured Guy Mezger to fight Tito Ortiz. After going winless in his next two outings, he rebuilt himself on the regional circuit before accepting a spot on Season 4 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” which featured UFC veterans gunning for a guaranteed shot at the title. He was eliminated in the finals, but returned to win four straight and earn a fight with middleweight champ Anderson Silva at UFC 90. A blown ACL ended his title bid, and subsequent losses sent him back to the regional circuit. 

Returning to the UFC this past year, Cote suffered a decision loss to Cung Le before winning bouts against Alessio Sakara (via disqualification) and, most recently, Bobby Voelker. 

After recent talks with UFC matchmakers, Cote has penciled in a return in September, which he said will coincide with his current effort to become a certified nutritionist and biomechanics expert. He has yet to hear of a proposed opponent. 

The UFC previously has filmed two international seasons of “TUF” in Brazil, the second of which is set to conclude next month at a live event in Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil, and one in Australia, which pitted Australian fighters against U.K. fighters. 

Canada has long been considered one of the strongest international markets for the UFC, which has held a dozen events in the country. Several of them have been instant sellouts. Australia, meanwhile, has hosted four events. 

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.