Franklin-Henderson Winner Ready to Coach The Ultimate Fighter, Fight Bisping

Although he didn't sound very excited about it, Rich Franklin confirmed today that if he beats Dan Henderson at UFC 93, he will be one of the coaches on Season 9 of The Ultimate Fighter.

UFC President Dana White had previously stated that the Franklin-Henderson winner would coach the team of American MMA fighters on the show's ninth season, and that Michael Bisping would coach the team of British fighters. That would set up Franklin or Henderson to fight Bisping this summer.

But while Franklin has said he's not interested in being a coach again (he previously coached on the show's second season), he now says he'll do it if that's what the UFC wants.

"I have not personally spoken to Dana, the UFC or any of the production people about the show," Franklin said. "Six weeks in Vegas, I've gotten to the point where I could care less for staying in Vegas for that period of time. It's time away from my family and time away from doing the things I can do to make money. The show doesn't pay very well. ... But anything the UFC asks me to do, I'm always on board for."

Talk about a loyal soldier.

Although they're fighting next weekend at light heavyweight, Franklin and Henderson both indicated that they would expect to fight Bisping at middleweight.

"I guess they would more than likely -- whoever, between Dan and I wins -- they'd do that fight at 185 pounds," Franklin said. "How that makes sense to me I'm not sure, but I take it one fight at a time. So if the UFC comes to me and says, 'We're doing the Bisping fight at 185 pounds,' then it is what it is."