Who Wants to Get TUF

http://www.mmareligion.com/site2/?p=932

By Jason Kelly

A house fuelled with testosterone, alcohol, and macho egos. Sounds like a typical bar but, no no, we’re talking about The Ultimate Fighter house, a breeding ground for up and coming fighters and a platform for circus acts that generate money for television executives. At times one outweighs the other and when the circus acts become the focal point of the show, the show loses its intended purpose.

Season 1 had its fair share of wrinkles to be ironed out, the challenges that had absolutely nothing to do with fighting were a mistake that took 2 seasons to disappear, along with Willa Ford. The most important thing TUF 1 provided was quality fighters who have went on to have great careers for the most part, something that lacked in latter seasons.

In the first 3 seasons, TUF fighters went on to become household names like as Forrest Griffin, Kenny Florian, Rashad Evans, and Michael Bisping. That would be the program`s golden days, when I didn’t want to miss a Wednesday fight because it was the equivalent to watching tomorrows stars on HDNET today, what a true fight fan wants to tune in to. However, the good people of Spike TV couldn’t keep seasons filled with talented fighters and their pockets filled with the kind of money they would encounter if they threw in a sideshow, alcoholic, or person who`s fighting experience is limited.

Chris Leben was our first taste of a troubled, drunken disaster, who was full of anger and demons yet, Leben had real skills. The Junie Brownings are not the reason this show was created but, it gains the same viewers that watch other reality shows, unfortunately that isn’t me. Frank Mir was completely right when he wondered who has access to alcohol when they are in somewhat of a training camp, trying to win a contract. It’s a disgrace to the organization and disrespect to the fighters involved who are for real when a so called fighter is there to put on a show, a show that doesn’t incorporate fight skills, when those open slots could be consumed by real up and coming fighters.

The TUF house served its purpose in the beginning but, if their purpose was consistent, we should’ve seen prospects continue to grow off that show. Jon Jones, Cain Velasquez, and Junior Dos Santos were all absent from seasons of TUF; proving the show is not breaking tomorrow`s stars anymore. We have seen glimpses of talent since the early days, but when Dana White is trying to sell me Phillipe Nover as the next GSP or Anderson Silva, I’m not buying it.

The Ultimate Fighter 12 is being sold off the coaches thus far, I hear more about Georges St. Pierre and Josh Koscheck coaching than I do about who is going to tear this season up. I have seen the fighters who were advertised for this season, and I`m not terribly excited to see Alex “Bruce Leroy“ Caceres, that being said; they have already begun promoting the circus act. Over the seasons of The Ultimate Fighter I have enjoyed some of the fighters and some of the personalities but, I am mostly interested in the fight and they haven’t been able to provide that steadily since season 3. If this season fails to give me what I desire, maybe they should try another “Comeback“ season. The first time they did that it was their fourth season and after 7 more seasons, I think we may be overdue or completely done.

you really love that mmareligion site don't you?

i think he lies he has some connection to it.

I have connections to bloodyelbow, mmamania, and espn to right? it somethin original to post that isnt on every site, that everyone is posting. If i had conections to mmareligion, i wouldnt be hanging out in forums with the rest of the fans, i'd be hanging out with fighters like those guys do. All those guys belong to Grudge, I WISH I was training at Grudge.

The articles this guy writes r decent, i dont post 90% of the bullshit thats on that site,

LOL!

i guess if you like it you like it its cool.

icebergsnoopy wrote:

http://www.mmareligion.com/site2/?p=932

By Jason Kelly

A house fuelled with testosterone, alcohol, and macho egos. Sounds like a typical bar but, no no, we’re talking about The Ultimate Fighter house, a breeding ground for up and coming fighters and a platform for circus acts that generate money for television executives. At times one outweighs the other and when the circus acts become the focal point of the show, the show loses its intended purpose.

Season 1 had its fair share of wrinkles to be ironed out, the challenges that had absolutely nothing to do with fighting were a mistake that took 2 seasons to disappear, along with Willa Ford. The most important thing TUF 1 provided was quality fighters who have went on to have great careers for the most part, something that lacked in latter seasons.

In the first 3 seasons, TUF fighters went on to become household names like as Forrest Griffin, Kenny Florian, Rashad Evans, and Michael Bisping. That would be the program`s golden days, when I didn’t want to miss a Wednesday fight because it was the equivalent to watching tomorrows stars on HDNET today, what a true fight fan wants to tune in to. However, the good people of Spike TV couldn’t keep seasons filled with talented fighters and their pockets filled with the kind of money they would encounter if they threw in a sideshow, alcoholic, or person who`s fighting experience is limited.

Chris Leben was our first taste of a troubled, drunken disaster, who was full of anger and demons yet, Leben had real skills. The Junie Brownings are not the reason this show was created but, it gains the same viewers that watch other reality shows, unfortunately that isn’t me. Frank Mir was completely right when he wondered who has access to alcohol when they are in somewhat of a training camp, trying to win a contract. It’s a disgrace to the organization and disrespect to the fighters involved who are for real when a so called fighter is there to put on a show, a show that doesn’t incorporate fight skills, when those open slots could be consumed by real up and coming fighters.

The TUF house served its purpose in the beginning but, if their purpose was consistent, we should’ve seen prospects continue to grow off that show. Jon Jones, Cain Velasquez, and Junior Dos Santos were all absent from seasons of TUF; proving the show is not breaking tomorrow`s stars anymore. We have seen glimpses of talent since the early days, but when Dana White is trying to sell me Phillipe Nover as the next GSP or Anderson Silva, I’m not buying it.

The Ultimate Fighter 12 is being sold off the coaches thus far, I hear more about Georges St. Pierre and Josh Koscheck coaching than I do about who is going to tear this season up. I have seen the fighters who were advertised for this season, and I`m not terribly excited to see Alex “Bruce Leroy“ Caceres, that being said; they have already begun promoting the circus act. Over the seasons of The Ultimate Fighter I have enjoyed some of the fighters and some of the personalities but, I am mostly interested in the fight and they haven’t been able to provide that steadily since season 3. If this season fails to give me what I desire, maybe they should try another “Comeback“ season. The first time they did that it was their fourth season and after 7 more seasons, I think we may be overdue or completely done.

frank has a good point to be honest. Its a once in a lifetime chance for most and training to be the best you dont need margaritas to better yourself. Dana should treat them like any good trainer would. Water water water

I think there's a couple of reasons for allowing these guys to make their own decisions on the drinking and policing themselves within the house. The most obvious is ratings. In reality TV what rates higher than inevitable train wrecks? The second is weeding out who's serious about their MMA careers. You know you're going to get some guys who treat it as an opportunity to go trailer park with it... But ultimately, you're also going to get some guys that are damn serious about their sport and training...

Ken tried to tell em

drink water, eat some steaks, and kick some trees

Its prolly tempting to some of them to drink, they get so bored, and if a guy is already prone to the bottle, obviously he's gonna get smashed and make an ass outta himself

the stupidest was titties drinking before practice

Policing themselves is a nice excuse to encourage that nonsense.

I like the article because as an MMA fan it hits the real points that bother me about the show. Tuf has turned into a 15 minutes of fame, attention grab, drama fabrication reality show. It's sorta like the NCAA, $$$ is the number one driving factor regardless of how sustainable the product.

It's tough to take it serious because of their format overall. I think a lot of good prospects avoid this type of show now because less talented/serious guys stand to benefit off it the most aside from the winner who can still be overvalued because of the pool in the end. Logic is the enemy of the format. I think the show sustains an audience without the TV whores who tune in for characters and drama. Get rid of the show aspect (booze, everyone under 1 roof, etc.) and take the competition aspect to the next level.

A comeback season is due as long as it includes capable guys truly hungry to compete, not hungry for exposure, I just have a sick feeling it is going to be a TUF comeback TUF.