TUF 5: Introducing Coach BJ Penn

"The Prodigy" has finally been confirmed as the second coach for the upcoming The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) UFC reality series on Spike TV, according to MMAWeekly.com.

In the midst of TUF 4, which concluded in November, the rumor mill was already churning out names, scenarios and premier dates for season five.

Well now it's official: Penn (10-4-1) will join UFC lightweight contender and former champ Jens Pulver (21-7-1) as one of two coaches on the program.

Yep, it's Team Grappler vs. Team Striker.

The two standout mixed martial artists will each coach teams of eight 155-pound prospects -- 16 total -- who all have the shared goal of winning a "six-figure" UFC contract to fight inside the Octagon.

Normally, there are two weightclasses and two winners each season. With a field comprising all lightweights, it'll be interesting to see how TUF 5 will differ from seasons past.

It'll be even more interesting to see the two coaches -- Pulver and Penn -- face off again at the finale in June or July 2007. Penn -- who has emphasized his desire to stay at 170 (click here for more background) -- will fight at 155 for the first time since 2003.

Here's a snip from Dana White:

"It just felt right to do it that way [fight at 155]. A lot of people want to see this fight. There have been people asking to see them fight since about an hour after their first fight."

Already, this is shaping up to be the most intriguing TUF installment yet, and we haven't even been introduced to the fighters yet.

Too bad we have to wait until April to see it all unfold.

To read more about BJ Penn click here.
To read more about Jens Pulver click here.