TUF: Focus On The Coaches
I've received a couple of emails in response to my assertion that the UFC dropped the ball on the hype for Forrest-Rampage during The Ultimate Fighter 7. Here is one (with expletives redacted):
I agree that there is no big issue between them, but if that's the case, UFC has to work with what they are given. They can't just completely fabricate an issue when there isn't one. The failure is more on the part of Quinton and Forrest, who spent more time joking around than making it seem like they couldn't wait to kick the crap out of their opponent.
I agree that a good share of the blame goes to Quinton and Forrest, but a view like this assumes that there has to be a hate-fueled issue to effectively hype a fight. That is just not the case.
So much time on TUF is wasted on relatively unimportant and boring things. It makes the show hard to watch at times, and frankly, I think the hour the show is on the air would be time better spent if at least 5 out of the 42 minutes per week was completely dedicated to the fight coming up at the end of the season. They could include training footage from the actual camps, comments from coaches, comments from both fighters, and general hype for the fight that we often see on their countdown shows, but instead of waiting until a week before the fight to do it in front of half the audience that normally sees TUF, you could give the 1.2-1.5 million regular viewers a weekly dose of solid hype for 12 weeks straight.
The UFC is not in the financial position to spend tens of millions of dollars on 24/7-esque shows like the ones HBO does. Still, if they are going to keep putting on a show that produces fighters that can't hang with UFC competition, they may as well get a big buyrate out of it at the end of the season.
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“They could include training footage from the actual camps, comments from coaches, comments from both fighters, and general hype for the fight that we often see on their countdown shows”
That’s actually a really REALLY good idea. Be careful or Zuffa will sue you for coming up with good ideas for their show without their permission.
by Higgz on Jun 24, 2008 9:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
right on
You are so on the money with that comment Rome. Instead of watching these fighters literally piss themselves and tear up the house they’re staying in, we should be watching Forrest and Rampage train in their respective training camps and hype the bout for 12 weeks straight. But that’s Spike for you. The key demo are people that piss themselves and play beer pong all day.
by FeloniousFunk on Jun 24, 2008 11:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
that's a bit unfair at the end
Still, if they are going to keep putting on a show that produces fighters that can’t hang with UFC competition, they may as well get a big buyrate out of it at the end of the season.
while the show isn’t consistently producing top tier fighters that will be future title contenders, it’s also not showcasing complete chumps. Many of these guys are decent, and some of them are becoming at least gatekeepers for rising stars looking to fight top tier competition. Bisping is a prime example, he’s developing nicely, he’s probably not going to be a champ, but he’ll produce plenty of good entertaining fights.
by honeydripper on Jun 25, 2008 12:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Seasons 1 (45-15), 2 (32-25-1), 5 (15-3) and 7 (1-0) have provided some quality fighters. Those records are with fights against others from the same season dropped. Seasons 3 (15-16), 4 (14-17) and 6 (1-4) have been a little disappointing.
by Richard Wade on Jun 25, 2008 1:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Really great post/stats
Season 5 was really great. A lot of really well rounded fighters and a great mix of styles. Season 4 is hard to compair because it was a season of mid level fighters, but I think you have to discount the record because one of the winners won the title. Season 6 was an error. Why do a show for WW and then throw everyone in the deepest class in the sport. I think that even Danzig should be in the WEC and he isn’t even at WW anymore. Season 7 is a little to early to start judging, but I like it. MW could use the depth and the good young talent to round out the roster..
by szucconi on Jun 25, 2008 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Feud
Personally, I get tired of the feuling coaches every season. When it was Tito and Ken that was okay because they have been that way for years, same with Serra and Hughes. Why can’t this fight just be hyped on the fact that Forrest was the 1st TUFer and that Rampage is well Rampage?
by lovingmma25 on Jun 25, 2008 10:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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