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Is tuf running thin?

2K views 14 replies 11 participants last post by  hadoq 
#1 ·
I looked over at the casts of tuf 16 and tuf slammers and I gotta say I was less then impressed. I don't see anybody on either of the seasons that will be a mainstay in the UFC, let alone top 10.
I think it's great to give these guys training and give them the opportunity of a lifetime, but I think viewership will drop or at least interest will drop

Sam Alvey is a solid MMA veteran, Jesse Barrett Jason South and Lev Magen are undefeated. Maybe also Kevin "Give Me Your Lunch Money" Nowaczyk is a good prospect. The other fighters seem like complete cans.
From the slammers it seems they got some undefeated fighters that only fought in Australia

Anybody elses impressions?
 
#2 ·
I have watched less and less of TUF over the years, started watching TUF Live regularly for the first 3 weeks or so but really lost interested near the middle of the show.

Not to mention having it on a Friday night just conflicted sometimes with what I had planned, and I really didn't bother to download the episodes after that.
 
#4 ·
They've been running thin for years - the TUF shows really do not interest me anymore... TUF Brazil rekindeled hope, but lead to a whole lot of nothing...

Not getting my hopes up, the concept is good, but the good fighters outside the UFC are being signed by smaller promotions like Bellator and Titan, and won't be on TUF as a result.

The show needs a break
 
#5 ·
When was the last time a legitimate contender came off the show? Honestly. I guess Dodson from two seasons ago but only because the light weights are soo thin. But before him there hasn't been anyone.

Nelson is not a contender, Bader not a contender, I can't even think of anyone else tbh.

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#6 ·
We haven't seen much in the way of contenders because we are still dealing with all the WEC and Strikeforce guys coming in and getting their shots. It also takes a while for guys to get that momentum to fight for the title.

Nate Diaz - 5 years
Gray Maynard - 3 Years of not losing a fight
Joe Stevenson - 3 years
Forrest Griffin - 3 years
Rashad Evans - 3 years
Kenny Florian - 1 year
 
#7 ·
^While this is true, I think you have to take into account how big the UFC has gotten. Guys are ALWAYS debuting in the UFC. Some turn out to be massive prospects for the title like Weidman, some dissappear never to be seen again. Years ago, it was a lot smaller so things like TUF could bring in more guys who are struggling to get the oppertunity at a UFC fight. Tom Watson is a prime example. He's really a nobody outside of UK MMA, and with his only big win being over Ninja Rua and almost losing to Alex Reid, he really has no noteable success. He easily could have been in TUF, but instead he's going to have his first fight on a UFC undercard, like multiple others. He might lose a few and disappear, but there will always be someone to fill that spot. The guys that get into TUF now aren't really prospects for the title, or people for the future, but more guys that have never really caught a break and now is a chance for them. The UFC believes that the high level of training might give someone the skillset to make a good UFC run, but 99.9% of the time, the fighter makes the training, and not the other way around.
 
#11 ·
Will watch it later. Thing is they can't recruit top tiered fighters because for one it would be a bit unfair and on the other hand would they even want to join this. If they were good enough in the first place they'd already be in the UFC.

There lies the issue. They're recruiting up and coming fighters. I do agree many need more experience, but I think that's the whole premise of the show. To give these up and comers experience and a chance to make it big. To me it's like boot camp except on live tv.

They'll have to spice it up to make it more entertaining though. Also Roy and Carwin weren't the best picks. They should have utilized The Reems suspension time to film this vs Carwin maybe.
 
#13 ·
You guys also forget the Ufc wants to build only a few guys from the show. They can't recruit all top level guys and show people top guys losing in a reality show. That makes it hard to promote them down the road.

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#14 ·
There looks to be some okay talent this year, Alvey might turn out to be something special as could Waters but holy hell those are some skinny legs he walks on. He better pray to God he never get locked in a cage with Alves.

The main problem with TUF is they keep doing the same shit, Lightweights and Welterweights, season 14 was good, Dodson is a contender, Bermuedez is a BEAST, and the Silers, Gaudinots and the rest of them look like they could have bright futures.

The next three seasons need to be Heavyweight, Flyweight, and Light Heavyweight, something fresh.
 
#15 ·
well don't forget what TUF was originally for, to reach out to a wider audience through the reality TV angle.

they have all the fighters they need in the UFC already, the main goal of the show is not to find the next champ (even tho they make it look that way) but just to show the average joe a romanced/semi-staged life of a fighter and get them to watch the UFC and buy PPV.

it's only to spark interest, it's not really designed for those who are already fans and know everything about the UFC. it's for those who have heard of the UFC but never really know what it's about.

in that regard, they make a pretty good job.
 
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