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TUF rules...when kept in the correct perspective. It puts butts in seats and sells ppvs. Without it, the whole world of MMA would still be in the shadow of other combat sports like boxing. So, it was more important in the beginning than it is now. As for the "problem" mentioned about good fighters being let go in lieu of "TUF" fighters, I just haven't seen it. From what I've seen (I watched the first 8 UFCs and got too poor/bored to keep up with it until TUF came out, and for the last 2 yrs I've been a huge fan doing some serious catch-up) the TUF winners/fighters have been matched up against some of the "quality fighters", and with the exception of the Franklin vs. Quarry massacre, they have been the ones sending these so called "real" UFCers packing. I know I wasn't the only person who thought Tito got the "gifts" in decision victories over Forest Griffin and Rashad Evans. Quarry just wasn't ready for Franklin. Also just because Anderson Silva and Rampage came over from Japan to win titles does not qualify Pride as the company of higher caliber competition, I believe they (Silva and Rampage) are great fighters who could have won titles in Pride as well, maybe Franklin and Liddell were reading a little too much of the UFCs own press regarding America being the be all/end all of MMA. As far as TUF bringing the UFC beneath the level of Pride, I believe any of the title holders in the UFC could at any given time go over to Japan and take home some gold (Fedor may be unbeatable), just look at what Nick Diaz did to Gomi. Pride should be more like the UFC and have put that belt on the line. Does the UFC need TUF? Not any more, but people still enjoy it, and if kept in perspective, TUF gives more avenues into the UFC for unknown fighters. Look at boxing...they've used overrated/exciting fighters like Arturo Gatti for over a hundred years to draw in money, as long as they are the exception and not the rule, then it'll all be OK.
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