(Big Nog insists on riding this gentleman everywhere, and it is his privilege to serve the champ in such a fashion)

An unofficial source tells Cage Potato that the coaches have been signed for the next season of The Ultimate Fighter, and they are none other than UFC heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and former champ Frank Mir.

Of course, this means that Mir will be getting the next shot at the heavyweight strap, and that the title will be out of circulation for a looooong time while they film, edit, and air the show.

This latest revelation might also shed some light on why the UFC has been purging its heavyweight roster. With this development off in the distance, they have less need for guys like Tim Sylvia and Jake O’Brien hanging around the water cooler down at the Zuffa headquarters.

While we’re a little disappointed that we won’t get to see Sylvia coach his own TUF team and try desperately to get them to like him, at least this might help introduce Big Nog to some of the newer fans of the sport. Next thing you know all the kids will be going crazy for the butterfly guard. Don’t think it can’t happen.