did anyone see the UFC highlights on Bravo last night?
UFC 39...... Randy vs Ricco Rodriguez fight. and Nathan from Ultimate fighter was in Randy's corner so it looks like those 2 go back a good few years!
obviously comparing any of the ultimate fighter contestants to a Randy or Chuck is very premature.
The point I was trying to get across is that the UFC themselves have stated that these guys are the "best unsigned MMA talents" and from those we have seen so far I have been very unimpressed. Some of these guys have more MMA fights under their belts than people currently competing in the UFC - Leben for one has had about 13 or 14 fights and he was hyped to be the best fighter in there and yet he was domintated by a very inexperienced and one dimensional Josh
And i'm not sure that 6 or 7 weeks training on a TV show is going to make too much difference to their skills.
did anyone see the UFC highlights on Bravo last night?
UFC 39...... Randy vs Ricco Rodriguez fight. and Nathan from Ultimate fighter was in Randy's corner so it looks like those 2 go back a good few years!
obviously comparing any of the ultimate fighter contestants to a Randy or Chuck is very premature.
The point I was trying to get across is that the UFC themselves have stated that these guys are the "best unsigned MMA talents" and from those we have seen so far I have been very unimpressed. Some of these guys have more MMA fights under their belts than people currently competing in the UFC - Leben for one has had about 13 or 14 fights and he was hyped to be the best fighter in there and yet he was domintated by a very inexperienced and one dimensional Josh
And i'm not sure that 6 or 7 weeks training on a TV show is going to make too much difference to their skills.
To be fair Josh is an international class wrestler, which pretty much puts him up there in world class since the U.S have some of the best wrestlers around. He also seemed to be in much better shape.
obviously comparing any of the ultimate fighter contestants to a Randy or Chuck is very premature.
The point I was trying to get across is that the UFC themselves have stated that these guys are the "best unsigned MMA talents" and from those we have seen so far I have been very unimpressed. Some of these guys have more MMA fights under their belts than people currently competing in the UFC - Leben for one has had about 13 or 14 fights and he was hyped to be the best fighter in there and yet he was domintated by a very inexperienced and one dimensional Josh
And i'm not sure that 6 or 7 weeks training on a TV show is going to make too much difference to their skills.
I think you'll be surprised at how little actual fight experience (Leben being the exception with a 16-1 record) they have. I know Koscheck is only something like 4-0. As for not learning much in a short space of time, you have to remember two things. First of all, they aren't beginners. They may not have had many fights (which is the only place that you really get experience), but they have been training in many disciplines for a long time. So they are learning more advanced techniques rather than the basics. Secondly, they are training with the best. Both of these factors mean that they can learn a hell of a lot in two months (longer, when you consider that this was filmed last year, and the finals aren't until April).
Calling Josh one-dimensional is a bit like saying the same about Dan Severn and even Randy Couture. Ken Shamrock was after four fights. But in Shamrock's case, compare the difference in performance between his first UFC fight with Royce Gracie, and the rematch. It's amazing how quickly these fighters can develop new styles, especially when disciplined (and wrestlers are normally more disciplined than most).
Of the 3 fights so far, Southworth was impressive because of what he went through in the days before. Diego was very impressive in a quick victory. Koscheck was also impressive, because of how highly rated his opponent was. Of course, you have to take into consideration the opponent. But until we see them fight again, we won't know how good or bad they really are. Which is why I think it's far too earlyto write them off. Especially when we haven't seen all of them fight yet.
Stephan beat Bobby in the light heavyweight fight, in a two round split decision. I'd have gone with a draw, but either could've been given the win. Bobby was not happy.
They finally seem to be trying to show the personality of all of the fighter's, as we saw more of Sam and Josh (who appear to be the new one's that very few like). This may change, judging from the cliffhanger ending though
Quote:
Originally Posted by JK
I guess the rumous of Leben being around for a while were wrong
The cliffhanger being the return of one of those already eliminated. I'm guessing this means that Nate Quarry couldn't continue, and that Couture gets to bring someone back. The general feeling is that it's Leben. Not only because he's from Couture's camp and in the same weight class as Quarry, but because people have paused the footage of the person's left hand opening the house door. Whoever it is has a big lump of skin missing from one knuckle (I tried to make it out on the version that I saw, but it was too dark).
Nate Quarry was officially eliminated as he needs an operation on his leg. He got to choose his replacement, and to absolutely know surprise chose Chris Leben.
Couture's team won the challenge, so Josh Rafferty selected to fight against Diego Sanchez in this week's middleweight fight. Josh appeared to not want to fight anyone. After seeing the fight, I'm not surprised. I think my nan could've put in more effort. Diego killed him. Josh did not get in a single offensive move.
Josh did come out with the single funniest line of the series so far, though. After the fight he said, "I will be in the UFC one day". Only if he buys a ticket, I think.
Nate Quarry was officially eliminated as he needs an operation on his leg. He got to choose his replacement, and to absolutely know surprise chose Chris Leben.
Couture's team won the challenge, so Josh Rafferty selected to fight against Diego Sanchez in this week's middleweight fight. Josh appeared to not want to fight anyone. After seeing the fight, I'm not surprised. I think my nan could've put in more effort. Diego killed him. Josh did not get in a single offensive move.
Josh did come out with the single funniest line of the series so far, though. After the fight he said, "I will be in the UFC one day". Only if he buys a ticket, I think.
Yeah, Josh was rubbish, he did nothing in the fight, surprised he picked Diego, the other Josh could have been a better pick given that he just fought. Diego looks really good, would like to see him tested against someone decent though.
Glad Leben is back though, makes the show even more interesting. I am surprised this show hasn't been picked up by any channels over here, perhaps Bravo will get it eventually.
I am surprised this show hasn't been picked up by any channels over here, perhaps Bravo will get it eventually.
I think it would have to be Bravo who have it. I can imagine the newspaper headlines if a mainstream channel picked it up.
Apparently Dana White and Sylvester Stallone have been in contact to talk about a potential fight between the winner of this series, and The Contender. NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN!!!!
For next week:-
I've heard that Forest Griffin (I believe that's his name) fights for the first time. The general opinion seems to be that he is now the favourite for the light heavyweght division, so it'll be interesting to see him.
Just seen that Bravo is showing UFC 52 on Sunday 17th April at 10pm- 1 day delay.
It's a shame they didn't take a chance on the Ultimate Fighter show or we could have had the finale on 13th April- doubt they would air it without showing all the eps first though.
Regarding Ultimate Fighter (big spoilers up to ep11)
Just watched Diego S vs Josh K and thought it was a very good fight, Diego definately won the fight - I dont know how 1 of judges gave all 3 rounds to Josh. However, I thought Josh did very well in the fight considering Diego has far more experience than him.
I would be surprised if Diego didn't beat Kenny in the final.
The 13th April finale card stands:
Rich Franklin vs Ken Shamrock
UF Middleweight Final: Diego Sanchez vs Kenny Florian
UF LHW Final: TBC
Undercard which will sadly not be aired in the live show:
Nate Quarry vs. Lodune Sincaid (who is moving down from light-heavyweight),
Chris Leben vs. Jason Thacker (who is moving down from light-heavyweight),
Just seen that Bravo is showing UFC 52 on Sunday 17th April at 10pm- 1 day delay.
It's a shame they didn't take a chance on the Ultimate Fighter show or we could have had the finale on 13th April- doubt they would air it without showing all the eps first though.
Regarding Ultimate Fighter (big spoilers up to ep11)
Just watched Diego S vs Josh K and thought it was a very good fight, Diego definately won the fight - I dont know how 1 of judges gave all 3 rounds to Josh. However, I thought Josh did very well in the fight considering Diego has far more experience than him.
I would be surprised if Diego didn't beat Kenny in the final.
The 13th April finale card stands:
Rich Franklin vs Ken Shamrock
UF Middleweight Final: Diego Sanchez vs Kenny Florian
UF LHW Final: TBC
Undercard which will sadly not be aired in the live show:
Nate Quarry vs. Lodune Sincaid (who is moving down from light-heavyweight),
Chris Leben vs. Jason Thacker (who is moving down from light-heavyweight),
Josh Rafferty vs. Alex Karalexis,
Josh Koscheck vs. Chris Sanford.
Great stuff, but how the hell
Are Chris Leben and co fighting after being knocked out of TUF? I thought only the 2 winners of their weights won the contracts.
Are Chris Leben and co fighting after being knocked out of TUF? I thought only the 2 winners of their weights won the contracts.
Yeah thats what was claimed originally, the winners will probably be guaranteed at least 2 ppvs and more money, but they are also going to give each of the other fighters at least 1 chance to prove themselves. It's smart business as the fighters on the show are prob now more well known than most of the existing fighters in the UFC, they can also easily market many grudge fights such Leben vs Koscheck II.
Another good fight this week. Definitely the right result (not sure what the job who gave all 3 rounds to Koscheck was smoking), but it wasn't a one-sided fight. Koscheck has great takedowns, but can't follow up with them. Sanchez was constantly trying to win the fight, even when he was taken down.
It was apparently the most successful of the shows so far. TV ratings are normally around 1.7, but this one reached a 2.0. This is very good news for UFC in general, and a second series is already being planned. They need to change the rules next time, though. It's a little unfair that one of the fighters has already fought 3 times, yet two of the competitors next week only have to win their first fight to reach the finals.
Ultimate Fighter contracts:
The two winners both receive 3 year contracts with the UFC. I don't think the show ever excluded anyone else from getting a deal. It just guaranteed two people a long-term deal.
In other news, Vitor Belfort has signed a new contract with UFC, but will still fight in this year's Pride tournament
Vitor Belfort
Kevin Randleman
Alistair Overeem
Quinton Jackson
Dan Henderson
Kazushi Sakuraba
Wanderlei Silva
Hidehiko Yoshida
Yuki Kondo
Kazuhiro Nakamura
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Igor Vovchanchyn
Mauricio Shogun Rua
An as yet unnamed amateur wrestler
An as yet unnamed judo star
The winner of the Bushido tournament on 3 April (Dean Lister, Akira Shoji, Paulo Filho and Amar Suloev) .
I don't think you can look much further than Silva or Vovchanchyn. But my two surprise picks would be Henderson and Yoshida. The latter has suffered a lot of injuries that could hamper him. But he also beat Mark Hunt last year (who beat Silva on NY Eve)
What date is this event? And when would it be expected to air? Thanks.
Air dates for the next few events are: -
Pride Bushido 6 (Fedor vs Kohsaka, plus GP qualification tournament)
- 3rd April (US air date is 14th April)
The Ultimate Fighter - The Finals (Shamrock vs Franklin, plus tournament finals)
- 9th April
UFC 52 (Couture vs Liddell)
- 16th April (showing on Bravo in the UK on 17th April)
Pride Total Elimination - First Round (Silva vs Yoshida)
- 23rd April (airing the same day in the US)
Overall, its a great month for MMA.
Speaking of The Ultimate Fighter and whether the prelim fights (featuring those who have been eliminated) will air on the show, the answer is apparently a "maybe". There will only be 3 live fights (the two finals, plus Shamrock vs Franklin). However, the other fights will be taped, and they will be shown during the show, if time allows (depending on commercial time, and the length of the 3 live fights).
Wanderlei Silva (Brazil) vs. Hidehiko Yoshida (Japan)
Dan Henderson (USA) vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (Brazil)
Quinton Jackson (USA) vs. Mauricio Rua (Brazil)
Some bad news for us UK fans, apparently Lee Murray has had more work permit problems in the US and cannot fight at UFC 52. Joe Doerksen has replaced him. Updated card:
Randy Couture vs. Chuck Liddell
Matt Hughes vs. Frank Trigg
Georges St. Pierre vs. Jason Miller
Mike Van Arsdale vs. John Marsh
Patrick Cote vs. Lee Murray Joe Doerksen
Travis Wuiff vs. Renato Sobral
Matt Lindland vs. Travis Lutter
Ivan Salaverry vs. Joe Riggs
Linear Mode
