Rousey lays down law for ‘TUF’ team

The Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s bantamweight champion will coach opposite top contender Cat Zingano on the first season of the organization’s reality show to feature both men and women living in the same house.

“I’m going to remind these girls that these are the first impressions you’re setting. If you’re the chick that’s screwing around in the house, for the rest of their career they’ll be known as the chick that was screwing around in that house,” Rousey said. “Sponsors are going to be looking at that, everybody’s going to be looking at that. So if you think that lay is worth $100,000, then go for it. But I’m just going to remind them that there’s going to be a lot of very permanent consequences to how they carry themselves in the house.”

Rousey made the statements after watching Zingano defeat Miesha Tate on Saturday night in a thriller to earn the spot as opposing coach and future title challenger.

The open tryouts for Season 18 of the show, which films in Las Vegas, took place Monday. Hundreds of hopefuls showed up at Palace Station hoping to be selected to the cast.

Rousey was not allowed to attend the tryouts as the coaches must select their teams based only on what they see during the first episode of the season.

She said she had hoped to attend and is looking forward to instructing her team once filming begins.

“I’m going to be expecting them to hold themselves as professionals. I would expect them to be eating as professionals and behaving as such,” she said. “They’re not going to be eating Ben & Jerry’s. They’re not going to be chugging down a bunch of Jack (Daniels). If they are, then I did a very poor job. I think that people need to see that we’re serious about this, and we’re not just a bunch of hoodlums.”

■ NETWORK CHANGE — The addition of female coaches and fighters won’t be the only change for the next season of “The Ultimate Fighter.”

The show will move to Wednesday nights and be part of the soon-to-launch Fox Sports 1 network, which will also show live UFC events.

“Bringing ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ to Fox Sports 1 is like adding a big bat to an exciting young lineup,” Fox Sports president Eric Shanks said Saturday. “It’s going to be a welcome addition to FOX Sports 1, and the perfect anchor for our Wednesday primetime UFC block. We’re absolutely thrilled to have it.”

■ THOMSON SET FOR UFC RETURN — The last time Josh Thomson stepped in the cage, he was on the short end of a controversial decision in a Strikeforce lightweight title fight against Gilbert Melendez.

Thomson returns from nearly a year out of action due to several Strikeforce card cancellations and the ultimate demise of the organization to make his UFC return on Saturday night against Nate Diaz on the UFC on Fox 7 card in San Jose, Calif., in the same building where his loss to Melendez took place.

“It’s been a little frustrating, but there’s nothing you can do about it. So why lose sleep over it?” he said. “I’m just really grateful and happy that the UFC has been there for us and I have this opportunity.”

Thomson, 34, went 2-1 in his last stint in the UFC, leaving the organization after a loss in 2004. He first fought in Japan and then made a name for himself in Strikeforce. He is best known for a trilogy of great fights against Melendez, who will also be in action on the card Saturday.

The chance to even the score against Melendez, who Thomson went 1-2 against in three fights that all went the distance, is still at the front of his mind.

“I really believe if he wins the title and I win this fight, it will happen,” Thomson said. “I think it would be a travesty if the UFC fans didn’t get a chance to see that fight. Strikeforce fans have seen us fight three times, and I don’t think anybody ever left any of those fights saying, ‘Boy, I hope those two never fight again.’ ”

The card, which also features a heavyweight bout between Frank Mir and Daniel Cormier, airs live on Fox at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.