LAS VEGAS – Brian Ortega believes there’s a lot about him that the combat sports world doesn’t know.
The former UFC tittle challenger wants to show people a different side of himself now that he’s set to coach the new season of “The Ultimate Fighter” – the UFC’s reality show – in a rivalry with UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.
Ortega (15-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) and Volkanovski (22-1 MMA, 9-0 UFC) were scheduled to fight last month at UFC 260, but a positive COVID-19 test to Volkanovski postponed the bout. The UFC made the two featherweights coaches of “TUF 29,” and are expected to meet later this year after the season wraps. TUF will begin streaming June 1 on ESPN+.
Ortega can’t want to get started coaching his team and is excited to show fans his mentor side and a bit more.
“I feel like the world only knows me as a fighter from interviews we’ve had like this, and that’s all they’ve had to go off me like, ‘This is who he is.’” Ortega told reporters Monday at “TUF 29” media day. “Now you’re going to see more of who I am, and that’s why I thought the show was amazing because people don’t know about my coaching. People don’t know that I taught jiu-jitsu for a living before doing this. This is my passion. They don’t know that I was under Rener (Gracie) – who’s under the lineage, who basically adopted me.
“I love coaching. I love teaching. It’s my passion. When I start getting into the details, I forget I’m having a conversation and I love it. So to share something with these guys, who are hungry and want information, it’s the best. Because as a teacher, people sign up and they sign up because someone forced them or whatever, but people who are there for you, hungry to learn, hungry for information – those are the best people. I love teaching because they appreciate what you are giving them. I’m excited for the show for that reason, to showcase what I have as a teacher, as coach, as a leader, and who I am. Let me show you a little how I f*ck around and I bullsh*t too.”
Ortega plans to bring his normal coaching staff with him. The 30-year-old wants to offer the best of him and his resources to his team on “TUF.” And as far as the pranks and house shenanigans go, Ortega is game for that too and excited to show his wild side.
“I don’t know, I have to get there and feel the aura, feel the vibe and kind of just be like, ‘All right, you know what, I feel like doing something stupid. Are you guys with me? No? I’ll do it myself,’” Ortega said. “We’ll see what happens.”