[i3ongHittz]

Thanks to the mod for making this anti UFC thread a sticky in the TUF forum, nice work.

[Vorpin]

Originally Posted by Zeke's Chaingun

Discuss? I think you're a loon, lets dicuss that. Seriously, how can I take you seriously when you say that Griffin and Sanchez aren't serious competetors? That's absolute BS. I think most of you people have been consumed with the "amatuer" label placed on these TUF guys. Griffin and Sanchez ARE top notch fighters. Maybe not TOP TEN, but they are very good fighters, better than a lot of fighters were when they first came to the UFC. I'd say Sanchez is further up the ladder at 170 than Patric Cote was when he first came to the UFC. I'd say Griffin is better than most of the other guys that are brought to the UFC as well. So what they aren't at the top of the ladder either? They never are when they first step in! This hating on TUF is getting sick because most of you people think you know what you are talking about and you don't.

So what that their first match was't against, say, Matt Hughes, or Trigg, or Couture, give me a break! These guys have faced talented guys for their first match, and the next confirmed match for Griffin is Freeman, who is very well respected as a legit HVY, now turned light heavy weight. Are they TOP TEN yet? No, but they could be, especially Koschek (though I hate to admit it).

I understand the fact that they (UFC) are dropping top fighters because they either lost a match or two, or because they aren't exciting enough to draw more ppv buys, which sucks but it's necessary. You call yourself a true fan but I don't think you are. Otherwise you would realize that this is necessary for MMA to grow. You are probably among the same crowd that complains about fighters salaries, about UFC not getting the best in the world like Pride, etc, but then when it comes to making a few sacrifices to make MMA more of a mainstream sport in the USA, you complain about the necessary adjustments. Once UFC is mainstream, and they have all the money the need to pay these fighters, and to recruit the best fighers, you will see them all. Otherwise, if we show every Matt Lindland out there, boring the general populace, then MMA will not get enough draw to be mainstream, UFC will always underpay fighters, and we will never get the best in the world. Quit bitching for five minutes and look at the bigger picture.

Good post. One thing I find annoying, eveyone blames TUF on fighters being dropped. The UFC has often in the past dropped fighters when they lose a few or even a fight. If they continue to succeed, they will prob be asked back.

Anyways, I still don't fully understand what the big fuss about TUF is. It should help mma, not hurt it.

[Zarathustra]

The UFC has been more interested in marketing than having good fights between good fighters since Zuffa took over. TUF is just a symptom, not the cause. More money corrupts and ruins everything, just look at the Super Bowl...

[forrest fan]

the post above me has a very good point

[Zeke's Chaingun]

Originally Posted by Zarathustra

The UFC has been more interested in marketing than having good fights between good fighters since Zuffa took over. TUF is just a symptom, not the cause. More money corrupts and ruins everything, just look at the Super Bowl...

I see plenty of good fights between good fighters all of the time in the UFC. I think you guys somewhere along the line got this lame idea in your heads and now it is stuck. It's all you see anymore.

[Darwinist]

I think that TUF is the best thing to happen to US MMA since Royce. Everybody is talking about how the ground game is going to be downplayed and watered down, but the fact is that the average viewer is getting more familiar. I just watched UFC 54 and the roar from the crowd as GSP slapped on the rear naked was deafening. Same when Diego took down Gassaway and even when he attempted the keylock!

TUF has made that possible.

Then of course there are the arguments everybody else has mentioned, the added exposure, the increased revenue, the TV deal etc....

[thisisdan]

100% hinderence. I posted similar responses in the past. MMA is not getting the respect it deserves. Consider the recent CA ruling. It's viewed as a bunch of crazed lunitics beating the crap out of each other because they are bloodthirsty. The pursists know these are trained professionals in which most honestly respect the sport and their competitors.

Finally, MMA was really starting to get some attention and sanctioning bodies. Then comes TUF 1.....................A bunch of foul-mouthed punks and crybabies, and with no understanding or regard for respectful competition. It was a perfect cross between WWE and The Real World. Leben pissing on someone's bed and destroying the house. Quotes like "I'm gonna break his jaw", etc. That was nothing to do with competition. What was Zuffa thinking when decided to air some of the episodes?

The only way TUF will help MMA is to only present the respectful side of the sport. Quit showing the petty bickering, highshool playground mantality, deviant behavior and focus the positive side of the sport, coaches and competitors.

TUF 1 may have bagged a larger market and/or more sponsors but at what cost? The cost was MMA being an honorable sport.

[ratbite]

I think TUF is good in that it shows, somewhat, what training to be a full time MMA fighter is all about. As for developing future stars (Dana White's own words) this is still waaay out on the horizen.

[Te(V)plar]

Last year at my school's BJJ club we were lucky if we had 10 guys show up. This year we're having damn close to 30 people show up regularly.

[unlimited]

Originally Posted by mannywankenobi

Here's the truth. Despite all the things hardcore fans may not like about TUF and the UFC in general, they still watch. So no the UFC is not losing it's hardcore fans. They will watch and criticize. But they will still watch.

That is not true

I am a hardcore fan since U.F.C. 1 but I am so mad at Dana for dropping great talent so I have quit buying their payperveiws. It all started with Yens Pulver, then B.J., and Bustamante, Tito, Salavery, Trigg, Lindland and more. They were let go for who to replace them Sanchez, Griffin, and Bonner?

I guess it doesn't matter to Dana if he loses one fan and replaces him with two new fans. But if I were him I'd try to find a way to bring the old fans back to the U.F.C. again also.

On a side note I think it would be funny if Dana does groom one of the T.U.F. guys into a great fighter and then when they become one they leave for Pride where the money is really at.