Anyone watch The Ultimate Fighter?

[RyderJ]

At one point in time, I was a huge fan of this show, however in recent years Dana White had been using the show to promote fights that no one would have really cared that much about otherwise(aside from Georges St. Pierre and Josh Koschek). This year though, with the introduction of bantamweights and featherweights, it seems to be quite promising. Those little bantamweights really go out there and slug it out! Though they may be small, rest assured, these guys DEFINITELY want to finish the fight.

White also changed the venue of the elimination fights to an actual arena giving the show a much needed face lift from the drab training complex they used to fight in (I'm sure they'll end up fighting in the old ring at some point.). It should also be mentioned that the coaches this season are Michael Bisping and Jason Miller (two relative nobodies when compared to some of the previously over-hyped coaches).

[TN94z]

I watch it every season.  It's all about the hype.  They use it to hype the fight between the coaches and to hype UFC in general.  The initial elimination fights were held there but the rest are going to be the same from what I understand.  They basically had to fight there way into the house and the UFC training center.  Bisping and Miller are not nobodies though.  Miller has been around longer than many coaches that have been on the show.  Bisping has been on the show 3 times now and was a top contender at one point.

This year looks to be better than many before it.  Like you said, these guys fight it out.  There were maybe 2 bad fights last night.

[RyderJ]

I know Bisping and Miller don't qualify as nobodies, but by the same token imho, neither one of them are top tier contenders in their weight class. I think the key word in your post is the word WAS. Anyways, should be a good season this year...can't wait to see how it plays out.

Originally Posted by TN94z

I watch it every season.  It's all about the hype.  They use it to hype the fight between the coaches and to hype UFC in general.  The initial elimination fights were held there but the rest are going to be the same from what I understand.  They basically had to fight there way into the house and the UFC training center.  Bisping and Miller are not nobodies though.  Miller has been around longer than many coaches that have been on the show.  Bisping has been on the show 3 times now and was a top contender at one point.

This year looks to be better than many before it.  Like you said, these guys fight it out.  There were maybe 2 bad fights last night.

[TN94z]

Originally Posted by RyderJ

I know Bisping and Miller don't qualify as nobodies, but by the same token imho, neither one of them are top tier contenders in their weight class. I think the key word in your post is the word WAS. Anyways, should be a good season this year...can't wait to see how it plays out.

I agree with that but nobodies and not a top contender are two different things.  Yeah, me either.  I can guarantee that Miller will make this season VERY interesting!

[RyderJ]

I agree with you 100%...he's quite the character...lol

Originally Posted by TN94z

.  I can guarantee that Miller will make this season VERY interesting!

[Ben]

I've watched practically every season as well. My buddy is huge on UFC/TUF and we make a night of it. Totally spaced on last night though. He was working, we didn't meet up. I saw that the premier was on but got totally sucked in to a Storage Wars marathon. Damnit! I'm sure my buddy has it on DVR so we'll hook up this week.

But yeah, ever since UFC took over WEC and we get the little guys, its become exciting again.

[newtogolf]

I've watched the Ultimate Fighter since it's first season.  This season is starting off much better than last, and it looks like they made a good decision to focus on the untapped weight classes where there are hungrier fighters as opposed to the retreads they have had in other weight classes.  Bisping is an UF alumni and favored son of Dana White given his importance to the UK and non-US fan base.  Miller is a decent fighter but more importantly a drama queen so he'll be sticking it to Bisping every change he gets to add to create ill will and further hype the fight.

[RyderJ]

Really this is the only way they could keep the show relevant, unless they did another heavyweight show. Silva and St. Pierre have zero competition, and there are far too many contenders in the other weight classes for them to try and get people excited about an up-and-comer imho. So, it was either heavyweights(boring), or the little guys. I'm completely stoked they chose to show off the weight classes that haven't gotten that much love from the MMA world.

Originally Posted by newtogolf

This season is starting off much better than last, and it looks like they made a good decision to focus on the untapped weight classes where there are hungrier fighters as opposed to the retreads they have had in other weight classes.

[newtogolf]

I'm not usually a fan of the featherweights and bantamweights, but these guys were there to fight which is more than can be said about some of the bigger guys they've been showcasing the last two years.  Heavyweights are interesting because there aren't a lot of them, so a few really good fighters can have an immediate impact on the weight class rankings.  Matt Mitrione isn't a great fighter but he's beat up everyone they put in the cage with him so far.  The top 5 JDS, Brock, Mir, Carwin and Cain are the only ones left for him to fight that would improve his ranking in the weight class IMO.

Most of the guys this season look like they want to fight, so should be some great fights.  I don't get too excited about the fake drama they create in the house but I'm sure that enough "characters" got in to make sure there is some drama.

I'm looking forward to Jones vs. Rampage this weekend, would like to see Rampage beat Jones to set up the rematch with Evans, though Jones vs. Evans would be a good grudge match as well.

Originally Posted by RyderJ

Really this is the only way they could keep the show relevant, unless they did another heavyweight show. Silva and St. Pierre have zero competition, and there are far too many contenders in the other weight classes for them to try and get people excited about an up-and-comer imho. So, it was either heavyweights(boring), or the little guys. I'm completely stoked they chose to show off the weight classes that haven't gotten that much love from the MMA world.

[TN94z]

Originally Posted by RyderJ

Really this is the only way they could keep the show relevant, unless they did another heavyweight show. Silva and St. Pierre have zero competition, and there are far too many contenders in the other weight classes for them to try and get people excited about an up-and-comer imho. So, it was either heavyweights(boring), or the little guys. I'm completely stoked they chose to show off the weight classes that haven't gotten that much love from the MMA world.

Well, they chose this weight class because it was the first season they could.  It only made sense.  The problem is finding guys to coach that aren't scheduled to fight.

Originally Posted by newtogolf

I'm not usually a fan of the featherweights and bantamweights, but these guys were there to fight which is more than can be said about some of the bigger guys they've been showcasing the last two years.  Heavyweights are interesting because there aren't a lot of them, so a few really good fighters can have an immediate impact on the weight class rankings.  Matt Mitrione isn't a great fighter but he's beat up everyone they put in the cage with him so far.  The top 5 JDS, Brock, Mir, Carwin and Cain are the only ones left for him to fight that would improve his ranking in the weight class IMO.

Most of the guys this season look like they want to fight, so should be some great fights.  I don't get too excited about the fake drama they create in the house but I'm sure that enough "characters" got in to make sure there is some drama.

I'm looking forward to Jones vs. Rampage this weekend, would like to see Rampage beat Jones to set up the rematch with Evans, though Jones vs. Evans would be a good grudge match as well.

I am a HUGE fan of the smaller guys.  Those fights are far more exciting than the bigger weight classes.  You rarely see the smaller guys have boring fights.

I am a Mittrione fan, but he has a tough fight coming up.  If he chooses to stand with Kongo, then that will cause him some problems.  But hopefully he will win.  If he wins against Kongo, he will be right in the mix!

I am also pulling for Rampage since he is a hometown boy, but it's going to be tough for him to beat Jones.  My money would be on Jones though

[RyderJ]

Originally Posted by TN94z

I am a Mittrione fan, but he has a tough fight coming up.  If he chooses to stand with Kongo, then that will cause him some problems.  But hopefully he will win.  If he wins against Kongo, he will be right in the mix!

I am also pulling for Rampage since he is a hometown boy, but it's going to be tough for him to beat Jones.  My money would be on Jones though

Mitrione SHOULD beat Kongo imo. Although I will say Kongo has made great strides in improving his arsenal, I still feel Mitrione is the more balanced fighter of the two.

I really hope Rampage can get back into form. I'm pulling for him against Jones as well, but as you said, it's a tough matchup for Quentin anyway you look at it.

[newtogolf]

Kongo is has knockout power, but Mitrione does as well plus I think Mitrione is better conditioned and has better BJJ and wrestling skills.

Rampage has to knock Jones out so he needs to keep it standing.  If Jones is smart he takes Rampage down and grounds and pounds him.

[TN94z]

Originally Posted by RyderJ

Mitrione SHOULD beat Kongo imo. Although I will say Kongo has made great strides in improving his arsenal, I still feel Mitrione is the more balanced fighter of the two.

I really hope Rampage can get back into form. I'm pulling for him against Jones as well, but as you said, it's a tough matchup for Quentin anyway you look at it.

If Mittrione will take him down, he shouldn't have an issue.  But Kongo's standup is much better than Mittrione's.  The only way I really see Matt losing is if he gets sucked into a standup war and he seems like he would easily go down that road.  I hope he wins though.  I think Kongo got a huge gift in his last fight.

Originally Posted by newtogolf

Kongo is has knockout power, but Mitrione does as well plus I think Mitrione is better conditioned and has better BJJ and wrestling skills.

Rampage has to knock Jones out so he needs to keep it standing.  If Jones is smart he takes Rampage down and grounds and pounds him.

You are right about the conditioning....Mittrione is as fast as any HW out there and never seems to fade.  I think Mittrione can get Kongo down because Kongo's TDD pretty much sucks.  I'm not sure about the BJJ although I haven't seen Kongo use much.  Rampage will be hard to take down.  If anyone can do it, Jones can though.  They both have good wrestling.  It seems like Rampage has taken this fight seriously. so we will see.