[Zeke's Chaingun]

I think it's pretty clear that TUF has not only helped MMA, but possibly SAVED MMA. Basically, almost 2 years later, Commissar and all of those saying TUF was a hinderence have been proven wrong and you all should step up to the plate and admit it.

[TinkleDrinker]

well - lets see, first off, I'd hope that most of us posting are privy to the small venues and the up and comers. That being said, yes, the hyperbole behind TUF and the sensationalism attached to it has increased MMA popularity and in turn has also caused many of us to turn off the bigger show(s) - not all of them, just the reality chris lebon, kenflo crap... not to say that these guys arent talented - they are; but many of our UFC wanna be MMA fans tout these guys who are, in fact, just reality tv stars not A silva...

In any event, hopefully we get to see the dream matchupssssss

[Zeke's Chaingun]

Originally Posted by TinkleDrinker

well - lets see, first off, I'd hope that most of us posting are privy to the small venues and the up and comers. That being said, yes, the hyperbole behind TUF and the sensationalism attached to it has increased MMA popularity and in turn has also caused many of us to turn off the bigger show(s) - not all of them, just the reality chris lebon, kenflo crap... not to say that these guys arent talented - they are; but many of our UFC wanna be MMA fans tout these guys who are, in fact, just reality tv stars not A silva...

In any event, hopefully we get to see the dream matchupssssss

Florian has proven he belongs in any Top Organization.

[traceann]

Hinderance. Why? Because TUF builds up so many fighters to look like they can go up against a Tito or a Randy, even though they are nowhere even close. Look at Forrest Griffin, for example. I like Forrest, but everyone thought it was such a huge deal that he lasted the whole fight against Tito even though he got dominated and played it safe. These fighters come off of the TUF season and immediately get a titleshot or a shot at a top contender. All because they beat some tomato can that Dana White handpicked to make these guys look good.

[Zeke's Chaingun]

Originally Posted by traceann

Hinderance. Why? Because TUF builds up so many fighters to look like they can go up against a Tito or a Randy, even though they are nowhere even close. Look at Forrest Griffin, for example. I like Forrest, but everyone thought it was such a huge deal that he lasted the whole fight against Tito even though he got dominated and played it safe. These fighters come off of the TUF season and immediately get a titleshot or a shot at a top contender. All because they beat some tomato can that Dana White handpicked to make these guys look good.

It's one thing to call TUF a hinderence when it first came out, but to call it that now is plain stupidity. Without TUF the MMA landscape is very bleak indeed, as the UFC was drowning and Pride went under on it's own. Without TUF we may be left with barely any MMA.

[whoflungpoo]

I think it is great!!! Most of the tuf fighters are from smaller orgs ie KOTC. Some are chumps, but MMA on national television weekly that is great no matter who's side your on. Diego is for real, Ken flo is for real. Forrest was alot of hype but he is marketable and when you get new fans to a sport it grows. the fighters get more money, the events go to more places. And now that the UFC owns PRIDE it is only going to get better. I hope that the UFC will release all the pride dvd's so they can be shown on spike so that all the new fans can see the REAL best of the best. How many new liddel fans thought he would get ktfo in the 1st round? How many new ACE fans thought that a silva would put on a clinic? without those fans the sport wouldn't grow at all. Now there are new rampage fans and a silva fans who normally would have never heard of either fighter. Most guys I know didn't even know that chuck and rampage fought before. They all thought that forrest would be lhw champ in 5 fights. Now they are more educated. and they are fans of other fighters.

[Standley]

Look guys as you can see i'm new to this and i'm an example that proves some of the past replies.

Before watching TUF5 I had no idea what this "cage fighting" thing was all about, now after getting hooked i'm scanning the internet, browsing chat rooms like this and watching clips of past fights on youtube.

It looks like im going to the next UFC in london and will probably be taking up some form of MA this year.

I can't be the only one to recently become addicted after this last season and with me paying out for tickets, PPV and merchandise this can only be a good sign??

Now don't think that i'm not aware that for some of you experts you would have prefered this to be "your thing" and aren't keen on newbies but you have to agree that more money and greater awareness worldwide can only be a good thing for promoting your sport.

I standby for the abusive replies that'll follow.....

[Zeke's Chaingun]

You won't hear those abusive comments from me. I've been saying this is a good thing all along.

UFC now is CLEARLY better than UFC 3 years ago.

[motoxxx563]

TUF made mma mainstream..You can see mma fights every week now because of it. There has been a couple of good fighters that deserved their shot from that show.

[Falked]

overall great for the sport, generates countless interest that many other Copy cat programs have not. its done well, and Its good for teh sport.