[twinarmbars008]

TUF is helping the UFC but not MMA

[Kitty]

One of the unexpected benefits of the TUF shows that I've seen is that the fighters who've had some time in front of the camera are better at speaking intelligently to Joe after they win their fights. Now, they may be less intelligent if they've been hit in the head alot, and there have always been well spoken fighters and less charismatic fighters, but overall, I've seen a trend that those who've been on the reality show are just more comfortable with the cameras.

[thakkus]

This is a nice forum. I've been watching mma for years, since the Royce three-men-in-one-night days. I also own every UFC and Pride on DVD. Some other venues too, like K-1 and Rings. Anyway, I see TUF as the pathway for potential pros to get their feet wet. First, you have to be a fighter to make it onto TUF, but you don't have to be a proven fighter, which makes for some mind-blowing fights - or nonfights - (like when Rashaad fought Whitehead). Talk about pathetic. And yet it had all mma fans talking. We like to see what happens when two men agree to step into a ring and fistfight. We just do. It's exhilarating in a way that other sports aren't.

So I'll take the crappy fighters (Whitehead) along with the real deals (Sanchez) that come out of TUF. It's drama and fighting and competition. That's why we love it.

Sure, many of the guys on TUF will never compete with real fighers (can anyone say Nate "the crock" Quarry?). But sometimes we'll see guys who really are made for fighting, like Diego Sanchez. If the Diaz fight didnt' prove this, then nothing will.

Can UFC stack up to Pride? Not even close.

Every Pride heavyweight fighter could quite easily step into the Octagon and become champ. Sergei Karatonov just "fought" Pedro Rizzo in Japan. It was a joke. Rizzo had no game for Sergei.

Pride fighters aren't martial arts students. They are full on fighters, inside and out. Vanderlei Silva was raised by his Chute Box dojo family from the time he was 12 years old. This isn't weekend Tae Kwon Do.

Anyway, my point is that UFC is trying. Their matchups are changing. Nobody can say Franklin vs Loisseau isn't a best fighter matchup. And St. Pierre vs Penn is a top card too. Also, Hughes and Gracie is a smart move on Dana's part. Especially since Hughes can't possibly beat Gracie in 15 minutes. Look at Hughes' wins. Rear naked chokes (TriggX2), arm bar (St. Pierre, lucky), slam while being choked out (Newton), kimura (Riggs). This is stuff that won't phase Royce. When the fight is over and Royce stands up, whether he is ahead on points or not, he is the big winner.

2006 is the year of the best fighter matchups. I think UFC is heading down the Pride path. There is hope.

And besides, do we really want UFC to get so big that it becomes like other pro sports? A bunch of lazy rich guys playing pick up ball? Naah. Big is good, but not too big.

[mma fan1981]

ultimate fighter on spike is great, but do we really need to see these guys get careers from getting beat out half way throught the show?

[HowitZer]

Originally Posted by thakkus

Can UFC stack up to Pride? Not even close.

Every Pride heavyweight fighter could quite easily step into the Octagon and become champ. Sergei Karatonov just "fought" Pedro Rizzo in Japan. It was a joke. Rizzo had no game for Sergei.

Pride fighters aren't martial arts students. They are full on fighters, inside and out. Vanderlei Silva was raised by his Chute Box dojo family from the time he was 12 years old. This isn't weekend Tae Kwon Do.

What about the fact that Vanderlei lost to Ortiz and Belfort? I don't know much about Pride, but I don't think the difference between UFC and Pride is as huge as you imply.

Originally Posted by thakkus

And besides, do we really want UFC to get so big that it becomes like other pro sports? A bunch of lazy rich guys playing pick up ball? Naah. Big is good, but not too big.

I hope you are being sarcastic. Part of this topic is about how as the skill level of fights go up the entertainment value goes up. Using this logic then there is no way that big sports could become so huge if they were not extremely skillful in nature.

BTW I think TUF has been very good for the UFC and also good for MMA. At least two people have said they have seen increases in attendence at their respective dojos since TUF. Plus the general public is getting more educated about MMA in general.

[keith 123]

I think T.U.F is a help, it gets new talent in the octagon which i think can only help the U.F.C

[NakeWorks]

I think it helps. Most fighters know that they are there to entertain the crowd. That is what the crowd paid for. I think TUF 1 had some good fighters (Sanchez, Griffin) but TUF 2 was worthless other than seeing a nerd beat down some people. In the end if people don't like it, then it won't last.

[jp east coast]

someone complained about people booing when the fighters are on the ground, about how they need to be educated. does no one remember UFC 1 through 10? people were booing en masse constantly whenever the fight went to the ground. they had to become educated. since we are attracting new people to our sport, they, too, will have to be educated. it just takes time.

i think the overall effect will be good for both the UFC and MMA.

attendance may be up at dojos across the states, but i think it tends to be the ones who're infatuated by MMA and don't realize that there is some serious work between a beginner and a top contender. more education...

[mshane]

some very good points were made. If ( and that is a big if) the UFC doesn't completely sell it's soul the mma world will be better off.Personally I would like to see even more competition as far as promotions go.

[AKIceHole]

I will watch any fight from boxing to Mid-evil Swordplay. I want to see is W. Silva vs. C. Liddell. This should put an end to this debate. If a grappler can't keep Chuck down he will knock piss out of them. So what is better subs or standup. lets see!