"The Ultimate Fighter 9" U.K. tryouts net record number of prospects |
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MMAcca
Heavyweight Champ
Career record: 944-552
Season: 20-4 (#104)
Location: North East of England
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Before packing up and returning to the U.S. after Saturday's "UFC 89: Bispng vs. Leben," the UFC held an open casting call for "The Ultimate Fighter 9: U.S. vs. U.K." in London.
Just two days after Brit and "The Ulitmate Fighter 3" winner Michael Bisping was victorious in front of his countrymen, MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned over 200 hopeful fighters showed up to the Earls Court Exhibition Centre for their chance at a UFC contract.
Already tabbed as the coach of the U.K. team, Bisping and fellow English fighters and UFC 89 participants Terry Etim and Paul Taylor were also on hand in support of the would-be "TUF" contestants.
Mixed martial arts has enjoyed a rapid surge in popularity and participation in the U.K. in recent years. After a five year absence from the U.K., the UFC has held five events across the Atlantic in the past 18 months.
In contrast, when the UFC held open tryouts for the third season of "The Ultimate Fighters" in 2006, less than 30 fighters showed up for the session.
One of the more notable participants in the afternoon's session was "The Ultimate Fighter 3" cast member Ross Pointon. The Cage Rage veteran appeared twice in the UFC following his stint on the show, losing both contests.
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Post #1 10/20/08 1:09:41PM
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moob
In Full Mount
Career record: 947-633
Season: 17-7 (#1293)
Location: Glasgow, Scotland.
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Just shows how much the sport is growing in the UK - it's taken a while, but it will only get bigger and the talent pool will improve with this.
We're still light-years behind the US in terms of talent and training facilities for MMA - plenty of single discipline gyms, but few MMA gyms.
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Post #2 10/20/08 1:33:03PM
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aaa9erh8er
Belt Contender
Career record: 165-112
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: 707 CALi
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wow with a big turn out hope fully it will be a good show to watch but i hope the us doesnt have any dicks on it this year
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Post #3 10/20/08 4:46:42PM
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dannyfrank
banned
Career record: 109-64
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: Chuck Town, SC
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Posted by aaa9erh8er
wow with a big turn out hope fully it will be a good show to watch but i hope the us doesnt have any dicks on it this year
haha. don't hold your breath
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Post #4 10/20/08 5:04:39PM
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McBee
In Full Mount
Career record: 570-316
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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they should have made it an all British cast and had it in Britain. Maybe they thought that would not get good ratings.
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Post #5 10/20/08 5:36:41PM
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jae_1833
Heavyweight Champ
Career record: 918-569
Season: 20-4 (#327)
Location: Cali
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Probably....too many accencts there for Americans to understand. I know I have a little problem sometimes....not much though. I think after they do this they should do the same thing in Canada, followed by Brazil. What do you all think of that?
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Post #6 10/20/08 9:46:04PM
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bigbubbano23
MMA Sensei
Career record: 240-160
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: the hills
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who will be the other coach?
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Post #7 10/20/08 9:49:11PM
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haggiswashere
MMA Sensei
Career record: 352-262
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: Roy Utah in the United States of AMIRica
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Posted by bigbubbano23
who will be the other coach?
winner of hendo/franklin
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Post #8 10/20/08 11:12:12PM
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mrkennedy
MMA Sensei
Career record: 963-537
Season: 18-6 (#712)
Location: Montreal,Quebec,Canada
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hope tom watson is on the show
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Post #9 10/20/08 11:50:37PM
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McBee
In Full Mount
Career record: 570-316
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Posted by jae_1833
Probably....too many accencts there for Americans to understand. I know I have a little problem sometimes....not much though. I think after they do this they should do the same thing in Canada, followed by Brazil. What do you all think of that?
very good idea, I am guessing they are doing Britain because the UK has a good fan base also. I read a FIGHT! Magazine article that said Brazil is a crappy MMA market because no one cares to pay to watch fights because there are so many free ones. It would be awesome for finding new talent but I think the UFC cares more about attracting fans then helping newbies rise to the top.
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Post #10 10/21/08 1:31:20AM
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MMAcca
Heavyweight Champ
Career record: 944-552
Season: 20-4 (#104)
Location: North East of England
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Posted by jae_1833
Probably....too many accencts there for Americans to understand. I know I have a little problem sometimes....not much though. I think after they do this they should do the same thing in Canada, followed by Brazil. What do you all think of that?
i would like to see a US Vs Brazil TUF for definate. Good idea 
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Post #11 10/21/08 1:33:22AM
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Khaos
MMA Sensei
Career record: 851-658
Season: 16-8 (#1011)
Location: Pittsburgh,PA
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I so want Pointon to be on the new season, that'd be both hilarious and entertaining.
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Post #12 10/21/08 5:26:47AM
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