[Halfway]

Yeah, I wouldn't say its the best season, I think its at the bottom.

Best were season 1, 5 and 4 IMO.

[MindTravel]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBuddha

That poll is misleading. The question is "are you watching this season"? and one of the options is both "yes" and "it's the best ever". How about just plain old "yes". It's certainly not the best season ever and I agree that the fighters this year just look pretty lacklustre, especially with their technique in the stand-up.

Exactly. I'm watching this season of TUF, but I'll watch any MMA programming that isn't that Tapout or Iron Ring. Surely this is the least interesting and least skilled group of fighters they've had so far.

Yes, I'm watching and it's the worst season yet.

[MindTravel]

Originally Posted by Halfway

Yeah, I wouldn't say its the best season, I think its at the bottom.

Best were season 1, 5 and 4 IMO.

I like whichever one had Puck.

[Iron Tusk]

Originally Posted by Steve4192

If you don't like it, don't watch it.

Dana was 100% correct that those two guys went to war. It wasn't a very technical fight, but neither was Frye-Takayama and everyone seemed to enjoy that fight. People loved that glorified hockey fight because both guys displayed tons of heart and aggression. The same holds true for last night's fight.

I'm not going to bag on those guys, but jeez, it just wasn't my cup of tea. The first half of the first round was good but both of them got the rubber arms after that. I don't think you can call it a war when there's now power/snap off of any of those punches. They kept fighting and didn't quit trying to win the fight, they definitely have heart and determination, but I don't think calling it a war is justified.

[Demoslasher]

Cry some more...so far I have enjoyed this season more then I have a few seasons. Could it be the best ever? Still up in the air...So far I have been impressed with the fights and frankly people need to get over it about the Talent...there are some prospects there but overall keep in mind this is the MW devision we are talking about here...To ask the UFC to put together a star studded MW TUF is like asking someone to make a house out of 5 bricks...it just aint happening, there just isnt many fighter in this devision that are of quality AND are not signed.

[Ded]

Originally Posted by John L Sullivan

In that hour of national television, rather than show the personal histrionics and subpar performances of four unskilled fighters, Spike could have chosen to show
Sakurai vs. Baron
Tamura vs. Sato
and Nakakura vs. Tentsuku
from last weekend's Shooto card.
If, as an MMA fan, you're not outraged by that, the fault is with you, not me.

Do you get mad at every other network for choosing to show American Idol or Grey's Anatomy instead of MMA? Do you get mad at every football game because it could have been a fight instead? Spike TV can show whatever the hell they want, and if it doesn't meet your standards then you're more than free to change the channel. Your "outrage" at the fact that they didn't show something they have no legal right to show is borderline retarded.

Now, does the UFC own the rights to good fights (including their Pride library) that we could have been watching instead? Sure. But this is one hour out of your week, dude, one hour that's devoted to an area of MMA that you apparently don't like. They aren't making you pay for it, they aren't making you watch it, why are you outraged? Do you get mad at every smaller show that puts on fights with subpar fighters, who look like shit and don't live up to your unrealistic expectations of anyone who puts on the 4oz. gloves? "But the UFC is a higher standard", sure, maybe so, but The Ultimate Fighter isn't. You know this already. It's MMA that's geared for a different audience than those of you who watch Shooto, Dream, and every other show. You've got your corner of the market, what's wrong with TUF gnubs who just wanna see guys get drunk and flail at each other having theirs? Bad for the sport my ass, anyone who watches TUF is likely to get more and more into it and eventually end up watching those other shows and other fighters you love.

Why is it you give so much respect to guys like Sakurai and Gomi but have absolutely no hesitation to call the guys on this show punk kids with no skill who fight like drunks? They're getting in the ring, aren't they? They're doing so without a real training camp, without time to really scope out their opponent to know what they're up against, and for less money than most fighters in the big shows. The exposure is great and the sky is the limit, but only if they fight well and continue to win. If those two guys from last night who you hated seeing continue to suck and can't hang with a better caliber of fighter, then they'll be weeded out. If you think TUF fighters are protected, how does Leben / Silva, Griffin / Rua, Evans / Ortiz, Florian / Sherk, or Jardine / Liddell fit into that theory? Guys like you have been crying about TUF fighters since day one, all the while not noticing that the only thing it's serving to do is bring in more viewers and make the sport more money. Beginning with the UFC, yes, it primarily makes the UFC more money, but UFC fans may well become MMA fans, bringing viewers to rival orgs that they otherwise wouldn't have had without TUF.

As far as the poll, a lot of us only voted "best ever" because it was the only "yes, I watch it" option. I had to vote that way because I watch it every week but no, it isn't the best season so far, season five was.

[SeanShortfuse]

To some degree, I think there needs to be guys taken in from smaller promotions, and more guys that aren't going to waste the opportunity like Jeremy May. Even some of their records are not too impressive. Danzig was something like 16-4 when he went on the show, he had the most experience, and was very determined to have this opportunity define his career for better or worse.

Zuffa needs more Mac Danzigs, the guys that put everything out there to fight and have the experience in good organizations. Anybody can compile a record of 5-4 in "Kick Enterprises" or AFC and PFL. Some of these guys on the show just fight as an alternative to another career. You can tell by the dedication and their attitude toward it. A guy that dreads training is the guy who makes this reputation and personality for himself that his behavior and dedication does not support.

Mac Danzig on one hand puts everything on the line to fight, and loves it. Others want to be known as a fighter, and only pursue the career as a substitute for another job. If the UFC is really careful with who they choose, I think the show can make a turn around.

[Ded]

Originally Posted by SeanShortfuse

To some degree, I think there needs to be guys taken in from smaller promotions, and more guys that aren't going to waste the opportunity like Jeremy May. Even some of their records are not too impressive. Danzig was something like 16-4 when he went on the show, he had the most experience, and was very determined to have this opportunity define his career for better or worse.
Zuffa needs more Mac Danzigs, the guys that put everything out there to fight and have the experience in good organizations. Anybody can compile a record of 5-4 in "Kick Enterprises" or AFC and PFL. Some of these guys on the show just fight as an alternative to another career. You can tell by the dedication and their attitude toward it. A guy that dreads training is the guy who makes this reputation and personality for himself that his behavior and dedication does not support.
Mac Danzig on one hand puts everything on the line to fight, and loves it. Others want to be known as a fighter, and only pursue the career as a substitute for another job. If the UFC is really careful with who they choose, I think the show can make a turn around.

I see your point. I've looked at some of those records and thought it was a joke that some of those guys were there too, but then again look at Matt Brown. His record is 5-6, but according to all the fighters around him, including Forrest, he's very dedicated and worthy of being given this opportunity. Should his record alone eliminate him from consideration for the show? I'm not asking that rhetorically or as a smart-ass, 'cuz in a way I think it should. But in another way I can see why it wouldn't if he's vouched for by people in his regular training camp, by the bigger names, which a lot of these guys are.

[Enmascarado]

Originally Posted by John L Sullivan

I'm an MMA fan. I want to see the best fights happening. UFC and ZUFFA rarely work to make that happen for people like me, who should be their core consumers.

It is a travesty that fighters like these kids get national attention and the opportunity at sponsorships, while a guy like Sakurai, who has been a pillar of this sport for like a decade, has a fight and basically nobody notices.

So maybe, if you're looking for the "best fights happening," the ultimate fighter- a program devoted to taking unknowns from small promotions and putting them through training camps with legends- isn't what you are looking for. I'm certain all of us in this forum won't miss your whining.

As to Sakurai, if he wants the national US exposure, I'm certain the light or welterweight divisions of the UFC would love him. Otherwise, he's made his choice and can continue to fight in obscurity.

[MMAth Wiz]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBuddha

That poll is misleading. The question is "are you watching this season"? and one of the options is both "yes" and "it's the best ever". How about just plain old "yes". It's certainly not the best season ever and I agree that the fighters this year just look pretty lacklustre, especially with their technique in the stand-up.

Exactly, there's no option for someone who's watched every episode but doesn't think it's "better than ever." Kind of a ridiculous poll.