TUF 13 changed to WW only, coaches to be named this week

http://mmajunkie.com/news/22040/the-ultimate-fighter-13-cast-shifts-to-all-welterweights-coaches-named-this-week.mma
While initially intended to feature welterweights and middleweights, the upcoming 13th season of "The Ultimate Fighter" instead now will be a welterweights-only season.

A source close to the long-running competition/reality series today confirmed the plans with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

The show begins taping this month, and it debuts March 30 on Spike TV. Coaches are expected to be announced this week, a source said.

With the single weight class, "TUF 13" is expected to use the same 28-man, 32-slot tournament that has been employed in recent seasons. The initial 28 elimination-round fights, which air over the first episode or two of the show, will determine the initial cast of 14. The fighters then enter a 16-slot bracket, and two opening-round losers will get a second shot as "wild card" picks. ("TUF 11" wild-card pick Kris McCray eventually became the show's runner-up.)

The show again tapes in Las Vegas.

Many fighters, who traditionally meet in a season-ending fight, have been rumored for coaching slots on "TUF 13." But UFC officials haven't tipped their hand, and many leading candidates now instead are slotted for spring/early-summer UFC events.

Welterweights haven't been featured on the show since "TUF 10," a U.S. vs. U.K. version of the reality series that featured both 155- and 170-pounders.

The "TUF" series, which debuted in 2005, was the primary tool to get MMA and the UFC into the mainstream. The show has launched the careers of more than 100 UFC fighters, and past cast members such as Rashad Evans, Forrest Griffin and Matt Serra have gone on to win UFC titles.

Hmm, thought it was all WW to begin with

bobbitt15 wrote:

Hmm, thought it was all WW to begin with

Nope, both WW and MW tried out.
http://mmajunkie.com/news/21283/the-ultimate-fighter-13-tryouts-draw-several-notables-including-galvao-amoussou-toney.mma

You guys got any idea who the coaches are?

timthebim wrote:

You guys got any idea who the coaches are?

They are keeping it pretty tight. But you can rule out a few people that were rumored. Sonnen and Wandy rumor was shot down by Dana. Faber and Cruz is no longer possible. Looks now like Mir-Lesnar rumor is not true. I guess there is a chance it is Mir and Fat Boy? I mean Mir is a former coach and Fat Boy a former show winner.

That would make sense but it really doesnt get me pumped to watch the show like say a Mir and Brock.

timthebim wrote:

That would make sense but it really doesnt get me pumped to watch the show like say a Mir and Brock.

I just said Mir vs Fatboy because that is a fight that is in the making right now.

OU wrote:

timthebim wrote:

That would make sense but it really doesnt get me pumped to watch the show like say a Mir and Brock.

I just said Mir vs Fatboy because that is a fight that is in the making right now.

I would have to know when the finale is cause the coaches usually fight like a week or 2 later.

timthebim wrote:

OU wrote:

timthebim wrote:

That would make sense but it really doesnt get me pumped to watch the show like say a Mir and Brock.

I just said Mir vs Fatboy because that is a fight that is in the making right now.

I would have to know when the finale is cause the coaches usually fight like a week or 2 later.

The show airs in March I think.

If it isn't Mir and Nelson I will be shocked. TUF 13 starts to air March 30 and Mir vs Nelson is set to take place May 28th.

edgar vs maynard are the coaches

killerofchicken wrote:

edgar vs maynard are the coaches

Says who?

OU wrote:

killerofchicken wrote:

edgar vs maynard are the coaches

Says who?

Finale is set for June. 4th so I guess Mir and Fatboy are probably not it.

OU wrote:

killerofchicken wrote:

edgar vs maynard are the coaches

Says who?

me ... thats only my guess lol

killerofchicken wrote:

OU wrote:

killerofchicken wrote:

edgar vs maynard are the coaches

Says who?

me ... thats only my guess lol

Not just you
http://mmajunkie.com/news/22051/the-ultimate-fighter-13-finale-is-june-4-door-opened-for-edgar-maynard-coaches.mma

But could Frankie and Grey bring in the viewers? It's a no-brainer for these guys to do the show, they both need to get their names out more but will they bring in the ratings?

MMAEYES wrote:

But could Frankie and Grey bring in the viewers? It's a no-brainer for these guys to do the show, they both need to get their names out more but will they bring in the ratings?

Yes and we know it will help the trilogy fight between them sell more PPV's. This is the best choice for the UFC imo.

after the last fight these guys shouldnt have much problem selling ppvs imo

Rich Celmenti and Gleison Tibau