TUF fighters are kicking some major ____!!!

Zeke's Chaingun · 07-09-2006, 01:06 PM

I'm a TUF fan. I love the show, I love what it's doing for the sport, and I think that there are a lot of fighters that came from the show who have a ton of potential. If any teenage wannabe douchebag on here doesn't like that fact and thinks that TUF Newb is an insult, eat me. Its you morons who are the ones getting proved wrong day after day by fighters like Griffin, Koschek, Leben, Stevenson, Diego, etc.

Taking a look:

TUF1 Winners:

Forrest Griffin is 3-1 in the UFC with his only loss being a split decision loss to the former UFC 5 time Light Heavyweight Champion. I don't care about excuses of Tito being hurt, because when you step in that ring, you don't get excuses.

Diego Sanchez is now 4-0 in the UFC and has defeated UFC Veteran Nick Diaz who is a very game fighter. He also defeated UFC/Pride veteran John Alessio and is set to take on Karo Parysian.

TUF1 other fighters of note:

Kenny Florian is now 3-1 in the UFC and recently picked up a dominating win over UFC veteran Sam Stout who's claim to fame was a recent win over Spencer Fischer-a Miletich top fighter. Florian is now set to take on Sean Sherk for the title.

Josh Koschek is now 4-1 in the UFC and his only loss being a flash mistake in a bout he was dominating for 14 minutes. He has defeated former Middleweight UFC Chamption Dave Menne in impressive fashion. He also defeated former UFC vet Pete Spratte with ease, and Spratte had some impressive victories including a stoppage over Robbie Lawler.
Out of anyone Josh Koschek has the most potential IMO to become a future UFC champion being young with better wrestling than even Randy Couture, Mark Coleman, or Mark Kerr.

Stephan Bonnar is 3-2 in the UFC with a close bout with Griffin and a dominant win over UFC veteran James Irvin.

Mike Swick is 4-0 in the UFC with his most recent dominating victory over UFC vet and former title contender Joe Riggs as well as dominating performances over former UFC fighter and current TUF4 competetor Gideon Ray.

Chris Leben is 5-1 in the UFC and despite a dominating loss to an arguable TOP 3 fighter n the world, he still has victories over game UFC veterans Jorge Rivera, Patrick Cote, Edwin Dewees, and Luigi Fiorivanti.

Nathan Quarry is 3-1 in the UFC with his lone loss being a KO by one of the best strikers the UFC has, the current Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin. He has victories over UFC veteran Pete Sell whom is the only person to finish UFC/Pride veteran Phil Baroni-not counting the controversial stoppage by Evan Tanner. Quarry also took out UFC and Pancrase veteran Shonie Carter.

TUF2 Winners:

Joe Stevenson is 2-1 in the UFC with his lone loss being at a higher weightclass against a game Josh Neer. He just recently took out TOP TEN 155 fighter Yves Edwards to make his mark in the weightclass Stevenson should be competing in. Unless I am mistaken Stevenson is the first TUF fighter (though not the last I am sure) to take out a TOP TEN competetor. Griffin nearly did with his split decision loss to Ortiz.

Rashad Evans is now 3-0 in the UFC and also won 3 other fights on the show against strong competetors. Many people dis on Rashad's style of fighting but there is no doubt that he knows how to pull off a win. In spite of Rashads "newness" to the sport he has been adding quite a bit to his game and is with a very good team to train with. I think we will see more of this undefeated fighter moving up in the division.

TUF2 other fighters of note:

Josh Burkman is 3-1 in the UFC with victories over UFC veterans Josh Neer and Drew Fickett. Burkman has been improving at a very strong pace and always brings excitement to his fights.

Melvin Gulliard is now 2-1 in the UFC, his lone loss against Josh Neer, and a fight he was reportedly winning before getting caught in a triangle choke. Gulliard brings an exciting fight everytime he is out and is probably one of the most athletically gifted fighters in the UFC.

Keith Jardine is 3-1 in the UFC his lone loss a very controverial decision to Stephan Bonnar. Keith also has a lot of potential and is moving up in the rankings.

Jorge Gurgel is 0-1 in the UFC with a good fight against highly touted Mark Hominick where he showed a strong chin and good stand-up. We already know that Gurgel's ground game is superb, and it appears the only thing he lacks in order to become a true contender is a much improved TAKEDOWN game.

TUF3 winners:

Michael Bisping is 1-0 in the UFC and is currently undefeated at 11-0. He is highly regarded as one of the best fighters to come out of the reality show and appears to have a very bright future if built correctly.

Kendall Grove is 1-0 in the UFC over highly touted Ed Herman. Kendall is regarded as one of the most improved fighters in the sport, who came out and defeated 2 fighters thought to be lightyears ahead of him in Herman and Starnes. Kendall brings an exciting fight and shows tremendous heart. He is now training in a top team with Team Punishment to add more to his game.

TUF3 fighters of note:

Mark Hamill is 1-0 in the UFC and is the most decorated wrestler to be added to the UFC since Josh Koschek. Hamill is very athletically talented and has heavy hands. Hamill is extremely new to the sport and is improving at incredible rates. Former UFC Champ Tito Ortiz says that he sees Hamill as the future champion, and coming from a fighter such as Tito, that says a lot. If Hamill is groomed correctly we very well could be seeing a future contender down the road.

Ed Herman is 0-1 in the UFC with his extremely close fight with Grove. Herman already has a huge resume including a win over former UFC Middleweight Champion Dave Menne and has one of the strongest hearts in the sport which was evident by his continued war with Grove when he fought his way out of a locked in rear nake choke as well as a few other submissions that most other fighters would have surrendered to.

Kalib Starnes is 1-0 in the UFC and comes in with an undefeated record and a very strong resume. He has a win over Jason "The Athlete" MacDonald whom is known for having a recent victory over Joe Doerkson. Starnes has a bright future in the UFC as well.

So in conclusion, I think that anyone who is a fan of the sport, yet continues to dis on the show or its fighters are going to become increasingly desperate and are going to look increasingly foolish as these very talented fighters continue to rack up wins over quality opponants.

One day one of these guys will be a champion, of that I have no doubt. Call me a TUF fan if you want, I will glady admit it, and I will be on these forums to laugh in the faces of the morons who called me that in an attempt to insult me. I will call them out for their short-sightedness and idiocy.

By all means, let the haters hate because in the end, they are the ones who are going to look stupid. The show is not only producing top talent and developing their potential, but it is also making this sport into something increasingly special.

Zeke's Chaingun · 07-09-2006, 01:28 PM

Damn these forums are busy.

Qabiri · 07-09-2006, 01:30 PM

I support this thread. Nice analysis.

WanderleiGSP · 07-09-2006, 01:32 PM

good points, never really looked at it that way, i know your not a TUF newb and you bring up so very valid points... good breakdown and if it opened my eyes up it will to others as well

mannywankenobi · 07-09-2006, 01:35 PM

As in every season, a lot of people weren't real pleased with the level of talent in TUF 3. But I was. But what people fail to realize is that in each season the UFC gains some solid players for their respective divisions. Not everyone on the show is meant to be the next champ.

I think Bisping, Herman, Groves, and Starnes have the potential to go far.

I predict Bisping to be a title contender after a couple of fights or so. I think he's that good.

And Matt Hamill could turn into a Randy Couture Jr if he can add some decent boxing to round out his skills because his wrestling/takedown skills are elite, and as shown in his last fight, his GNP is naturally very strong as well.

Zeke's Chaingun · 07-09-2006, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qabiri

I support this thread. Nice analysis.

I guess it's impossible to talk sense into everyone, even if you have all of the evidence in the world to support your claim. So no matter what there will still be thick headed haters on these forums who think that "TUF Fan" is an insult and that the show produces shit fighters. In fact, those people who are on the receiving end of the "TUF Newb" insult should be happy, because in the end it appears that these "TUF Newbs" are the ones who are going to be right.

Of course there are fans of the show who are absolutely ignorant and think stupid shit, but how is that any different than the people who are fans of Pride fighters saying they are better than anyone, or fans of UFC fighters and saying the same shit? Those ignorant fans are simply ignorant fans, not only fans of TUF.

mannywankenobi · 07-09-2006, 01:38 PM

BTW, I'm a huge TUF fan. And if anyone has a problem with that, they can climb a tall tree and fall headlong for all I care.

TUF is one of the best things, if not THE best thing, to happen to MMA in N. America.

Maxwell · 07-09-2006, 01:39 PM

I decided to download the second two seasons of TUF this week. I didn't download #1 and I am not sure I will. Season 2 was aweful, I am sure any MMA fan would agree. The fighters and fights were average at best, the rest of the crap was annoying. I found myself fast forwarding through the episodes.

However, I actually enjoyed season 3. Better than most crap on TV. The fighters were much more game and the fights were more exciting. I plan to watch season 4. Very game fighters, no more challenges, I am guessing if they stick to the season 3 format. Should be good enough to watch.

Qabiri · 07-09-2006, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeke's Chaingun

I guess it's impossible to talk sense into everyone, even if you have all of the evidence in the world to support your claim. So no matter what there will still be thick headed haters on these forums who think that "TUF Fan" is an insult and that the show produces shit fighters. In fact, those people who are on the receiving end of the "TUF Newb" insult should be happy, because in the end it appears that these "TUF Newbs" are the ones who are going to be right.

Of course there are fans of the show who are absolutely ignorant and think stupid shit, but how is that any different than the people who are fans of Pride fighters saying they are better than anyone, or fans of UFC fighters and saying the same shit? Those ignorant fans are simply ignorant fans, not only fans of TUF.

It's the elitist nature of this board. Anyone with a brain knows that a lot of the fighters appearing in TUF are quality fighters who would have made it into the UFC even without the show. What the show provides is not only fantastic exposure for the sport, but it also weeds out the weaker candidates while making popular the young talent who have the ability to go far in the sport.

Zeke's Chaingun · 07-09-2006, 02:01 PM

Exactly. Not every fighter on the show is going to be a top notch contender. The job of the show is to highlight those guys who have potential and are good enough, plus draw revenue, increase popularity, and thicken the talent pool. It's great for the sport which is evident by the leaps and bounds the UFC has made since the shows creation. People who dis on it are mentally handicapped.