“The Ultimate Fighter 7,” which debuts April 2 on Spike TV, features UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson and season-one winner Forrest Griffin as coaches. Unlike past seasons, the show will feature 32 — not 16 — middleweight fighters vying for a UFC contract.
The latest rumored cast includes:
Paul Bradley (5-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Matt Brown (7-6 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Steve Byrnes (6-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Timothy Credeur (9-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Mike Dolce (3-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
C.B. Dollaway (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Gerald Harris (6-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Mike Marrello (6-1-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Prince Mclean (4-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Aaron Meisner (3-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Reggie Orr (4-5-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Jeremiah Riggs (1-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
David Roberts (5-7 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Amir Sadollah (0-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Brandon Sene (2-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Dan Simmler (0-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Jesse Taylor (6-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Luke Zachrich (7-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Every season, TUF gave us at least 2 or 3 fighters we got to root for or root against. It's a great way to learn who the fighters are, and see what sacrifices they make to chase their dream.
The only problem with 'The Ultimate Fighter' series is each season the talent gets just a little bit watered down. All you have to do is check out the first season compared to the most recent. TUF 1 produced some serious superstars that are still competing to this day. About 70% of TUF 1 is still in the UFC. Already the UFC has released most of the last seasons fighters. With each season, the talent suffers a bit. It's comparable to expansion teams in baseball or football. With each new team, the talent drops down a peg.
It's not going to hurt the UFC as every bit of publicity is good, and as we get hooked more we look forward to new seasons of TUF. However, with each season, there will be less and less fighters that keep our attention.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Spoilers for TUF 7
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3 comments:
Why do they have to throw guys into the mix here that most know have no chance whatsoever of winning. There are some fighters with MMA records of 5-7, 4-5, and 3-4. going up against guys with records of 7-1, 6-0, 6-1, and 9-2. These are the guys with the most hope and as a fight fan, I don't want to see the next great UFC lightweight or lightheavy or what have you come into the UFC with 6 or 7 losses already. We want undefeated phenoms or guys with at the very least respectable records. I understand that every good fighter loses here and there but 6 or 7 losses is excessive. Especially when your win percentage is at about 35%. Your just throwing these guys to the lions. Just my opinion
I think it's become a little more about the coach's now then abvout the fighters. There are only so many good UFC quality fighters out there and the first couple of seasons got most of them. Now you are lucky to get one or two. The others you keep around a while because people remember them from the show, but after that..done. I think it's become all about the interaction of the coach's and the fight that comes after the show. It's like a 5 month preview of a pay-per view fight. I still love it though and will continue to watch.
It's kind of like expansion in pro sports. The competition gets watered down and there is parity. Same thing here. It's watered down competition but also because the other organizations are taking some of the talent away also. But you're both right. Nothing great is gonna come about a guy who's 5-7 right now. And it's pre fight hype amongst the coaches.
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