Why TUF shouldn't go anywhere?

No...keep the shows coming		75%	(42)
Yes, I'm bored with the show		14%	(8)
On the Fence		11%	(6)

I just finished reading the article Enough TUF on Sherdog http://sherdog.com/news/articles/enough-tuf-16787

I would just like to say that I hope TUF stays around for a long time because for one it is the only tournament format outlet the UFC currently employs, which I find to be very entertaining watching fighters knock each other off. Also the reality show really gets you emotionally invested in these fighters (love'em or hate'em). It has obviously been the primary vehicle for the increase in MMA popularity, in the US at least. Shows like Survivor and Big Brother manage to keep pumping out shows every year and their contestants generally fade away or merely show up on some reunion show...The TUF "stars" continue to grow well after the show ends and for the most part we get to see that by way of their fights.

I've heard Dana mention that he believes TUF only has a few more seasons left in it...well I disagree...as the sports popularity increases new fans will want to watch the newest fighters as the fight their way into the UFC...

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Posted by sclasclemski

I just finished reading the article Enough TUF on Sherdog http://sherdog.com/news/articles/enough-tuf-16787

I would just like to say that I hope TUF stays around for a long time because for one it is the only tournament format outlet the UFC currently employs, which I find to be very entertaining watching fighters knock each other off. Also the reality show really gets you emotionally invested in these fighters (love'em or hate'em). It has obviously been the primary vehicle for the increase in MMA popularity, in the US at least. Shows like Survivor and Big Brother manage to keep pumping out shows every year and their contestants generally fade away or merely show up on some reunion show...The TUF "stars" continue to grow well after the show ends and for the most part we get to see that by way of their fights.

I've heard Dana mention that he believes TUF only has a few more seasons left in it...well I disagree...as the sports popularity increases new fans will want to watch the newest fighters as the fight their way into the UFC...

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the only thing is that the talent pool is running out, i love the show completely but some of the seasons where terrible like the one where mac danzig won, i wasnt too impressed by season 7. i like the way this up coming season has the US vs UK. they added the fight to get into the house format which is cool but like i said the talent pool is running out, each season the fighters to me have been getting worse. and there has been one dominate fighter through out the entire series.

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Posted by The_Ho_Bag

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Posted by sclasclemski

I just finished reading the article Enough TUF on Sherdog http://sherdog.com/news/articles/enough-tuf-16787

I would just like to say that I hope TUF stays around for a long time because for one it is the only tournament format outlet the UFC currently employs, which I find to be very entertaining watching fighters knock each other off. Also the reality show really gets you emotionally invested in these fighters (love'em or hate'em). It has obviously been the primary vehicle for the increase in MMA popularity, in the US at least. Shows like Survivor and Big Brother manage to keep pumping out shows every year and their contestants generally fade away or merely show up on some reunion show...The TUF "stars" continue to grow well after the show ends and for the most part we get to see that by way of their fights.

I've heard Dana mention that he believes TUF only has a few more seasons left in it...well I disagree...as the sports popularity increases new fans will want to watch the newest fighters as the fight their way into the UFC...

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the only thing is that the talent pool is running out, i love the show completely but some of the seasons where terrible like the one where mac danzig won, i wasnt too impressed by season 7. i like the way this up coming season has the US vs UK. they added the fight to get into the house format which is cool but like i said the talent pool is running out, the each season the fighters to me have been getting worse. and there has been one dominate fighter through out then entire series.

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On all points. I love the show, but its gotta end at some point, the champions are starting to get to be mid-level to low-level guys.

I would love to see them continue, but make the seasons farther in between. It would give the mma game time to produce some more young stars which the ufc can mold into champions ala Forrest Griffin and Rashad Evans.

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Posted by Franklinfan47

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Posted by The_Ho_Bag

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Posted by sclasclemski

I just finished reading the article Enough TUF on Sherdog http://sherdog.com/news/articles/enough-tuf-16787

I would just like to say that I hope TUF stays around for a long time because for one it is the only tournament format outlet the UFC currently employs, which I find to be very entertaining watching fighters knock each other off. Also the reality show really gets you emotionally invested in these fighters (love'em or hate'em). It has obviously been the primary vehicle for the increase in MMA popularity, in the US at least. Shows like Survivor and Big Brother manage to keep pumping out shows every year and their contestants generally fade away or merely show up on some reunion show...The TUF "stars" continue to grow well after the show ends and for the most part we get to see that by way of their fights.

I've heard Dana mention that he believes TUF only has a few more seasons left in it...well I disagree...as the sports popularity increases new fans will want to watch the newest fighters as the fight their way into the UFC...

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the only thing is that the talent pool is running out, i love the show completely but some of the seasons where terrible like the one where mac danzig won, i wasnt too impressed by season 7. i like the way this up coming season has the US vs UK. they added the fight to get into the house format which is cool but like i said the talent pool is running out, the each season the fighters to me have been getting worse. and there has been one dominate fighter through out then entire series.

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On all points. I love the show, but its gotta end at some point, the champions are starting to get to be mid-level to low-level guys.

I would love to see them continue, but make the seasons farther in between. It would give the mma game time to produce some more young stars which the ufc can mold into champions ala Forrest Griffin and Rashad Evans.

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i def can agree with spreading it out, it gives fighters more opportunities to gain more experience, and make the show the way it was like season 1 and 2 where there was competition, rather then one fighter dominate

There are alot of good guys out there that could make that show great but they already fight for strike force MFC K1 Dream The contract keeps the top up and comers from siging on to do the show.

With Bellator and the japanese orgs it really presents an opportunity for these young fighters. The payoff for TUF is great if you do well. If not you will have a hard time winning over the people who wrote you off......If I'm a young guy just starting out I would rather get paid to cut my teeth with another org and then try to break into the big show.....

I agree with making the seasons farther apart...maybe one a year with two weight classes...I think making it more like the Japan Grand Prix would be great...

I will always watch it despite how frustrated I get with the "real world" bullsh*t they throw in there. If they would focus more on training and showing how dedicated that someone has to be make it at that level, it will do more for the sport than anything.
Every fighter has a story, including what they are giving up to pursue a dream and that can be good television if that is what they are looking for. It doesn't have to be six meatheads peeing on each other after a couple drinks.
I like the US vs UK edition this time because it gives the average fan something to root for even if they don't know the fighter. That is what people often want...something or someone to root for.

I'd rather watch TUF than 95% of the shows on television, so absolutely--keep it going. I don't ever see the UFC abandoning TUF, unless they've concocted some new vehicle to introduce their upcoming fighters to fans.

Some of the recent shows have been lackluster in terms of talent, but last season was a complete turnaround. I think there's plenty of talent, the UFC just doesn't always choose fighters wisely--or they leave out guys they just don't think has the right personality. I think there's plenty of talent out there, and since the sport is growing there's going to be more talent available.

Yeh, I definitely say keep it going. While some of the talent on a couple recent seasons has been a bit suspect I blame the people who choose the fighters. I mean, there's got to be 16-20 up and commers out there per year. That being said, the season that featured fighters we've all seen before, trying to get back to the UFC was one of my top three seasons.

I think TUF would be better if they only did one season a year, that gives more for more talent to be found, and makes the show that much more important to diehards.

i think it should keep going, TUF as had some great fighters come off it
Just to make Champions be coaches, please

The talent pool is far from running dry. There are so many talented guys out there with non-exclusive contracts that it isn't even funny. I could rattle off a list of names at almost any weight class. I won't do it, but anyone who follows the underground will know exactly what I'm talking about.

The thing is- the UFC is now to the point that they're picking fighters with criteria other than what they can do in the cage. They want guys who will put on a good show and can have some longevity in the sport.

This is the problem I have with the UFC marketing the brand and not the fighters. The general public feels like the talent pool is running low, but all you have to do is go check out some lower to mid level shows and you'll see there's plenty of it out there. I'm not saying a guy can join TUF and take home the LHW belt the next day, but there are some good talents out there waiting to get an opportunity

i hate the seasons where they get the token loser... like with richie hightower... or get a fail boat of a coach like Shamrock...


the BJ vs Pulver season was one of the better seasons... they have had 7 or 8 seaons and less then half have been good, or something like that...


quality > quantity... and they need to stop the Junie Brownings... the show is about fighters getting into the UFC not about how much you can drink and how dumb you get when plastered... on the same token the Jokes of last season were great from the tombstone bed to peeing on his fruit because the other team were jerks and stealing it... however the jizz on the sushi was over the top...

First off, the UFC is under a contract with Spike so until that runs its course, (still like 3 years left on it) I dont think there is anything to worry about. I think the program has a lot of flexibility. After that it might not be Spike but they will have something going, I think the format will change a bit.

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Posted by Jackelope

The talent pool is far from running dry. There are so many talented guys out there with non-exclusive contracts that it isn't even funny. I could rattle off a list of names at almost any weight class. I won't do it, but anyone who follows the underground will know exactly what I'm talking about.

The thing is- the UFC is now to the point that they're picking fighters with criteria other than what they can do in the cage. They want guys who will put on a good show and can have some longevity in the sport.

This is the problem I have with the UFC marketing the brand and not the fighters. The general public feels like the talent pool is running low, but all you have to do is go check out some lower to mid level shows and you'll see there's plenty of it out there. I'm not saying a guy can join TUF and take home the LHW belt the next day, but there are some good talents out there waiting to get an opportunity

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your probably right , but with the UFC picking fighters like richie hightower, Rude boy, roli delgado, noah inhofer,andy wang,blake bowman,joe scarola,pat schultz,cale yarbrough, luke zachrich and dave kaplin kind of scares me , lately the people who have made it on the show has shown that they need to pick the fighter more carefully, im not trying to fighter bash at all , but the talent level recently hasnt been as it was when TUF 1,2. ill still choose to watch it over most tv shows

That may be true what you are saying...but considering that anymore the fighters have to win a fight just to get into the house kind of validates them being there in my opinion...

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Posted by sclasclemski

That may be true what you are saying...but considering that anymore the fighters have to win a fight just to get into the house kind of validates them being there in my opinion...

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this is where i stand my ground, the competition getting into he house has been weak as-well, some fights where cool, like matt riddles KO of serras guy but others where terrible, im just saying they need to get some talent back in the house to make it more competitive rather then a domination by one fighter

well, it's reality tv. anytime I watch I only watch the last 20mins for the fight. It's set up in a crappy way (imo) to focus on the house bs. If it were a legit show about training it would be cool, but very niche.

It is however the single biggest vehicle to bring in new fans. So of course it should stay. For some reason America eats this crap up.

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Posted by JimiMak

well, it's reality tv. anytime I watch I only watch the last 20mins for the fight. It's set up in a crappy way (imo) to focus on the house bs. If it were a legit show about training it would be cool, but very niche.

It is however the single biggest vehicle to bring in new fans. So of course it should stay. For some reason America eats this crap up.

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everyone loves drama aha

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Posted by The_Ho_Bag

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Posted by JimiMak

well, it's reality tv. anytime I watch I only watch the last 20mins for the fight. It's set up in a crappy way (imo) to focus on the house bs. If it were a legit show about training it would be cool, but very niche.

It is however the single biggest vehicle to bring in new fans. So of course it should stay. For some reason America eats this crap up.

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everyone loves drama aha

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Not everyone

in fact a lot of ppl love to see guys that hate each other in the ring... I like two athletes who shake hands before and after and give it 1000% between bells.

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Posted by The_Ho_Bag

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Posted by Jackelope

The talent pool is far from running dry. There are so many talented guys out there with non-exclusive contracts that it isn't even funny. I could rattle off a list of names at almost any weight class. I won't do it, but anyone who follows the underground will know exactly what I'm talking about.

The thing is- the UFC is now to the point that they're picking fighters with criteria other than what they can do in the cage. They want guys who will put on a good show and can have some longevity in the sport.

This is the problem I have with the UFC marketing the brand and not the fighters. The general public feels like the talent pool is running low, but all you have to do is go check out some lower to mid level shows and you'll see there's plenty of it out there. I'm not saying a guy can join TUF and take home the LHW belt the next day, but there are some good talents out there waiting to get an opportunity

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your probably right , but with the UFC picking fighters like richie hightower, Rude boy, roli delgado, noah inhofer,andy wang,blake bowman,joe scarola,pat schultz,cale yarbrough, luke zachrich and dave kaplin kind of scares me , lately the people who have made it on the show has shown that they need to pick the fighter more carefully, im not trying to fighter bash at all , but the talent level recently hasnt been as it was when TUF 1,2. ill still choose to watch it over most tv shows

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I only say this because I personally know guys who have tried out for TUF and even though they've won all their matches in the tryouts, they were nixed from the show. I won't throw names out there because I don't like to do that on this forum, but rest assured they're professionals with big names on their list of fights. Some of them actually competing in the UFC now, actually.

The UFC is picking those fighters because of their on screen personas, not because of their fighting abilities. Ability plays a small factor, but do you really mean to tell me that Roli Delgado is a more well rounded fighter than the 3,000+ who showed up for tryouts? I'd say he probably isn't a better standup fighter than 2,000 of those guys. Yet he still made it. Why? Obviously because he has good jiu jitsu, but also because he had a persona they were looking to fill on the show. They pick their winners heading into the show and just build a cast around those guys. At least, that's the suspicion I'm sticking on.

Also, let's not forget that a lot of these guys have difficulty fighting in the TUF atmosphere because of different coaches and a lot of fights in a small period of time. I've read interviews and talked with TUF competitors who all say the same thing. So even though what I said before is what I believe to be the case, I still say a lot of the guys on the show have more talent than they're able to showcase.

There's a lot that goes into my thought process on how it all works (which could be completely wrong, I admit)- but let me just clarify by restating my original point. There is PLENTY of talent in the world of MMA which is quite larger than the UFC itself, and TUF should go on for a long, long time. It helps fans get familiar with the fighters early, and it is an exciting tournament atmosphere.

i like watching it but i think maybe one a year instead of two seasons
or do a us vs japan or brazil next

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Posted by Jackelope

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Posted by The_Ho_Bag

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Posted by Jackelope

The talent pool is far from running dry. There are so many talented guys out there with non-exclusive contracts that it isn't even funny. I could rattle off a list of names at almost any weight class. I won't do it, but anyone who follows the underground will know exactly what I'm talking about.

The thing is- the UFC is now to the point that they're picking fighters with criteria other than what they can do in the cage. They want guys who will put on a good show and can have some longevity in the sport.

This is the problem I have with the UFC marketing the brand and not the fighters. The general public feels like the talent pool is running low, but all you have to do is go check out some lower to mid level shows and you'll see there's plenty of it out there. I'm not saying a guy can join TUF and take home the LHW belt the next day, but there are some good talents out there waiting to get an opportunity

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your probably right , but with the UFC picking fighters like richie hightower, Rude boy, roli delgado, noah inhofer,andy wang,blake bowman,joe scarola,pat schultz,cale yarbrough, luke zachrich and dave kaplin kind of scares me , lately the people who have made it on the show has shown that they need to pick the fighter more carefully, im not trying to fighter bash at all , but the talent level recently hasnt been as it was when TUF 1,2. ill still choose to watch it over most tv shows

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I only say this because I personally know guys who have tried out for TUF and even though they've won all their matches in the tryouts, they were nixed from the show. I won't throw names out there because I don't like to do that on this forum, but rest assured they're professionals with big names on their list of fights. Some of them actually competing in the UFC now, actually.

The UFC is picking those fighters because of their on screen personas, not because of their fighting abilities. Ability plays a small factor, but do you really mean to tell me that Roli Delgado is a more well rounded fighter than the 3,000+ who showed up for tryouts? I'd say he probably isn't a better standup fighter than 2,000 of those guys. Yet he still made it. Why? Obviously because he has good jiu jitsu, but also because he had a persona they were looking to fill on the show. They pick their winners heading into the show and just build a cast around those guys. At least, that's the suspicion I'm sticking on.

Also, let's not forget that a lot of these guys have difficulty fighting in the TUF atmosphere because of different coaches and a lot of fights in a small period of time. I've read interviews and talked with TUF competitors who all say the same thing. So even though what I said before is what I believe to be the case, I still say a lot of the guys on the show have more talent than they're able to showcase.

There's a lot that goes into my thought process on how it all works (which could be completely wrong, I admit)- but let me just clarify by restating my original point. There is PLENTY of talent in the world of MMA which is quite larger than the UFC itself, and TUF should go on for a long, long time. It helps fans get familiar with the fighters early, and it is an exciting tournament atmosphere

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im not disagreeing with you because you are right,there are people who try out for TUF and get cut that should have made it, im just saying their selection of cast has been bad in these last 2 seasons

Efrain Escudero and Phillipe Nover are both quality fighters that came from the last 2 seasons and to be honest how many new fighters are you expecting them to pull from each season?

IMO if they pull 3+ talented fighters out of a season they did very well. Depending on the weight class its going to be hard to find fighters that can just step in and compete at the same level as the fighters in the UFC, I actually think they have done a good job to this point in finding unsigned fighters with talent.

i dnt care if one or two seasons suck ever.. i think its great for tv, great for fans, and great for me. lol.. i want tuf to always keep producing.