TUF: A Help, or a Hinderance? - Page 39

Little Tank · 02-14-2008, 08:47 PM

I think that what Pride had that the UFC doesnt have right now are a stable of Superstars. They've been losing a lot of top guys lately, and some of their old stars are getting bad/out of the game. Forrest, Jardine and the rest of the TUF guys are great fighters, but they need time to grow into the next generation of Superstars that attracted fans to PRIDE and Mma in general

Zeke's Chaingun · 02-18-2008, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Commissar

But are guys like Bisping, Stevenson and Jardine a worthy trade-off, without guys like Ricardo Arona, 95% of the LWs in the world that the UFC doesn't have, and so on?

I'll disagree somewhat on this. Arona is good, but he's fought twice in 2 years going 1-1. His last victory was over a guy ranked between 14-18 at LHW. He's got a suspect chin and would be hard pressed to beat anyone he couldn't take down. While having him at 205 would be an assett, it isn't required. The UFC has a monopoly on the 205 lbers. Arona just isn't necessary even if I do want to see him there.

As for as the 155 lbers... sure, some very good 155's aren't in the UFC... however 95%? No way. The UFC 155's are getting the shaft in the rankings. People like Sherk, Penn, Florian, Stevenson, Edgar, Griffin, Tavares, Huerta, Thomas, etc are ALL amazing fighters and would take at least as many of those Eastern Hemispherian fighters as they would lose. In fact, I think the trend lately shows that the Western Hemispherian Lightweights are better. They just got put on the back burner when the UFC dropped their Lightweight Division a few years ago and it's taking some time for them to reclaim their rightful place in the Top 15/Top 10 range.

Lonestar · 02-20-2008, 11:58 PM

helps revenue defintely

NutFlea · 03-03-2008, 06:16 AM

No doubt the fighters must think it's a help. Creates exposure for them and for MMA in general. I'd love to hear what somebody like BJ or Hughes would say.

jmarion · 03-04-2008, 03:43 PM

TUF is a great opportunity for fighters!

You get the opporunity to train under the best fighters, and their knowledge and expertise that the fighters get is 2nd to none. As well with the 1 fight elimination policy allows the best of the best to move on. And with 3 fights for the win they get the "pre cage" jitters out of the way. They know what to expect.

For season 7 32 fighters are selected and they have to fight to see who actually makes it on the show. This provides the most experienced and serious fighters.

I think TUF is a great training system.

Osh Arpi · 03-06-2008, 06:53 PM

its a help, i understand what ur saying but TUF is bringing new talent into the UFC. but i think they are going overboard in the sense that they have like 2 seasons a year or something they really should slow it down otherwise the people that are interested in it will get over it quckly.

StrokerTN · 03-10-2008, 04:01 PM

I enjoy TUF and I think it's a great way for fans to see how an up and coming fighter can make a career for himself

SWASS · 03-10-2008, 05:30 PM

The TUF may be a start for new commers but what the hell does a guy who wins the TUF, (hell you don't even need to win to get in the UFC) get to fight no names.....

when did the UFC stop thinking of top fighters and start going for young undercard fighters.....

I like the UFC but it is now getting to be fighters that would get kiled by fighters in another ORG....

Commissar · 03-13-2008, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeke's Chaingun

I'll disagree somewhat on this. Arona is good, but he's fought twice in 2 years going 1-1. His last victory was over a guy ranked between 14-18 at LHW. He's got a suspect chin and would be hard pressed to beat anyone he couldn't take down. While having him at 205 would be an assett, it isn't required. The UFC has a monopoly on the 205 lbers. Arona just isn't necessary even if I do want to see him there.

As for as the 155 lbers... sure, some very good 155's aren't in the UFC... however 95%? No way. The UFC 155's are getting the shaft in the rankings. People like Sherk, Penn, Florian, Stevenson, Edgar, Griffin, Tavares, Huerta, Thomas, etc are ALL amazing fighters and would take at least as many of those Eastern Hemispherian fighters as they would lose. In fact, I think the trend lately shows that the Western Hemispherian Lightweights are better. They just got put on the back burner when the UFC dropped their Lightweight Division a few years ago and it's taking some time for them to reclaim their rightful place in the Top 15/Top 10 range.

I won't debate the Arona issue. He has the best takedowns in the game, and he's one of the absolute best LHWs in the world. Period.

Yes, the UFC has some amazing lightweights. And some of them are even elite - Penn (not ranked top 10 due to too few recent LW fights, but talented), Sherk, Edgar, Griffin and Tavares, but to compare Florian, Thomas, Stevenson, Huerta, etc, to the likes of JZ (#1 or #2 top LW in the world), Gomi (other #1 or #2), Aoki (top 5), Hansen, Kawajiri, Vitor Ribiero, Gilbert Melendez, Ishida... even Caol Uno... the fact is, you cannot compare these inexperienced, up and coming LWs that the UFC has with these veteran, proven elite LWs that fight overseas. Yes, they might be as good one day, but right now they absolutely aren't and they can never be considered as equal until they prove it.

To think that the UFC has the better lightweights is truly ridiculous.

Commissar · 03-13-2008, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hegstrand

Why is this thread even up?

Hasnt it been documented that the Fertitta brothers were all but going to shut down the UFC because it was not profitable and TUF was a last ditch effort to salvage the company and popularize MMA.

If it wasnt for the show, MMA wouldnt even be popular and we wouldnt have all the other orgs that sprung up. The IFL, BODOG, PROELITE etc...

Sherdoggers are just never satisfied.

You will notice that my predictions came A LONG TIME AGO. Hindsight is always 20/20, so lets not pretend you knew from day 1 when you probably weren't even a fan when I typed the original post.