The Ultimate Fighter Season 11 Coaches Announced - Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell
by Nick Thomas on Dec 6, 2009 9:50 AM EST
in MMA News
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Dana White announces the coaches for next season’s The Ultimate Fighter show will be former UFC light heavyweight champions Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell. Both will coach the teams and subsequently fight for the third time next year. Season 11 of TUF will be middleweights and premiere on Spike TV in April, 2010.
"The Ultimate Fighter 11" Debut coverage
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Is TUF still on Spike or is it moving to ESPN Classic?
by casey manrique on Dec 5, 2009 11:43 PM EST reply actions 7 recs
Why does Dana think people want to see this?
"My diet is like Atkins, but with the carbs." - BJ Penn
maybe we don’t but the casual fans will eat this up and the end result that counts is this fight will sell PPV’s
I was watching the Finale with a handful of casuals.
One of them proclaimed that he had absolutely no interest in it, and everyone else agreed with him. I think even casuals know at this point that both of these guys are shot.
Without pain, without sacrifice, we would have nothing.
by lowellthehammer on Dec 6, 2009 10:12 AM EST up reply actions
Because this is what fighters like Liddell and Ortiz are good for these days
Both of these fighters are on the downslope of their fighting careers, so most of what Liddell and Ortiz have is name value. They aren’t top Light Heavies anymore, and the UFC will put them in low risk, high reward situations. There is no shame in either one losing to one another these days, but when they fight the younger crop of fighters, they tend to lose.
I’d rather see this, than tying up any relevant fighters.
by CliChe Guevara on Dec 6, 2009 12:56 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Spike TV has a say in this
they may have asked for it.
Really?
I like Chuck and Tito is still a name that can draw, but was anyone really looking for this match to happen?
Should be fun to watch, but they need to build up some other feuds and not one that was on fire four years ago.
i was hoping that it would be griffin/tito or rampage/shamrock coaching the next season
but looking forward for what will they do next on the upcoming season
"I' Always Look Tired, I Play Possum" - Mark "The Hammer" Coleman
Rampage/Shamrock?
do you want to see the first in-ring death in MMA?
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
Sad...what a waste.
These two are great legends of the sport…but they are not contenders anymore, nor will they ever be. Why devote a whole season to it?
…cause Dana feels it will be the biggest draw. Snore fest.
Put the champ and a challenger on TUF, people whine that a belt is on hold.
Put two legends who still want to fight, people whine.
Dana can’t win.
by Phildo on Dec 6, 2009 1:56 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
It would’ve been great if they had matched up two legends who hadn’t already had two fights against each other that played out the same way.
by BilboMcFonzie on Dec 6, 2009 2:00 AM EST up reply actions
That’s how I feel. You should only do the third part of a trilogy if there was some questions left unanswered in the sequel. And Chuck definitely didn’t leave any questions unanswered.
by John Nash on Dec 6, 2009 3:29 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
That’s pretty much it. I would’ve been fine with Tito/Griffin III or Chuck and someone headlining the next TUF, but to me there’s very little appeal in a Chuck/Tito III.
On paper I think this idea is correct
There are a lot of vets on the pay roll who won’t be ever be a contender again, this seems like a good way to educated on UFC history. Could you imagine Pat Miletich and Randy coaching TUF? Leave the top 10 guys in circulation and use TUF to bring people up to speed on the fundamentals.
The good thing about the match-up and selection of coaches is that it isn’t tying up any belts or keeping serious contenders out of circulation. I just wish the fight itself would feel more competitive. Even Couture/Ortiz II would feel like the fight might mean something. Chuck’s beaten Tito twice already. If Tito wins, Chuck still beat him more, unless they try and do a best of five or something/I hope not. And if Chuck wins, it still feels a little irrelevant. Ah well. Could’ve been worse, I guess.
Fine with me
at least relevant fighters won’t be tied up for months
by Grappo on Dec 6, 2009 12:42 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Couldn't agree more
At least gsp and hardy won’t be tied up doing the stupid show until next summer. And both of these guys actually know how to coach, which could make the season more competitive. I’m sure it’s gonna be fine.
by mburtoni on Dec 6, 2009 10:45 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Why is it that everyone complains about relevant fighters like rashad and rampage having to wait so long between fights when they coach, but then a perfect matchup between two past their prime fighters but will still be entertaining is hated on? This seems like a dream matchup. Relevant fighters only leads to long delays and disasters.
by ChiCubs23 on Dec 6, 2009 12:49 AM EST via mobile reply actions
It’s not a dream matchup. It was a dream matchup when it happened the first time and to a lesser extent the second time. Now it’s played out. Just like Tito/Shamrock.
by BilboMcFonzie on Dec 6, 2009 2:02 AM EST up reply actions
TUF is played out. Thus, it is a dream matchup. I don’t care a bit about the Ultimate Fighter, except for the fights themselves, so this is perfect, and will probably do a better job drawing fans to the sport than any other paring I can think of not involving Kimbo.
by Kwisatz Haderach on Dec 6, 2009 10:06 AM EST up reply actions
This is PERFECT
How the hell do you guys complain about titles/fighters being put on hold and then bitch about this? This is exactly what I was hoping for.
I actually want to see this fight. Chuck was obviously going to fight again and I wanted this to be the fight. The build up will be awesome and make me want to see it that much more.
Sorry to everyone that was hoping the GSP-Hardy subtitle season/delay in title fight isn’t going to happen.
i cant wait when the winner of this gets to fight the winner of Coleman Couture!!! brought to you by depends
I can hear Dana already: "those four kids (Coleman, couture, liddell, and ortiz) are 4 of the best kids we’ve ever had in the UFC. Also that kid Dan Severn.
by mburtoni on Dec 6, 2009 10:48 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
The difference is Coleman/couture is somewhat relative right now. Both are coming off wins and it’s easy seeing the winner getting a #1 contender’s fight next.
by John Nash on Dec 6, 2009 1:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
lol you just called coleman a possible future contender
what in the fuck…
"he's the best punchy face man in the buisness"
by blubber_guard on Dec 7, 2009 2:46 AM EST up reply actions
Well, at least we are not very likely to see any more Rampage-level coaching.
by Monday Morning Martial Artist on Dec 6, 2009 4:37 AM EST reply actions
Ring Rust
I actually can’t wait for this. I’m a big Chuck fan, and this seems like a perfect fight for him. I hate seeing champions or title contenders on the shelf for the entire TUF season, so I’d rather see two guys who are completely out of the title picture, and this is a matchup that involves two guys at similar points in their careers. I think the talking and actual fight should be entertaining. Couldn’t ask for much more.
One thing that does make me pause, though, is that Dana was all about “ring rust” when he announced it. “I’m a big believer in ring rust” and etc. So now we’re going to have Tito sit around for another 6 months or so before his second fight back in the octagon? And have him fight a guy in Chuck who has been on the shelf even longer? Won’t there be piles of ring rust all over the octagon from both of these guys?
I’m looking forward to it. I think people will find a way to bitch about anything.
Fine with me at least relevant fighters won’t be tied up for months
And at least the show will be coached by MMA fighters who should retire and actually be MMA coaches/open up MMA gyms.
As I think “real” MMA fans really don’t want to see this fight, especially after the whiny, lackluster return of Tito, and given the fact I really don’t like Dana White: I have to give it to him.
He made the best decision he could have.
He built up Tito to come back, and it didn’t go well. Now he has Chuck coming back and in the back of his head he knows there is a risk that the man (1) won’t do well, (2) is definitely not the Chuck of old. So, he throws them into the TUF mix.
Not Hating This...
The reality show is going downhill anyway, and I think they need to stop tieing up big name fighters. As long as they don’t have Tito and Chuck headline a PPV, it’s a great idea.
There's no reason to kill this
As many pointed out before, this does not tie up any important fighters for 8 months. Also, Tito might be a douche, but he’s a pretty good coach…. about 1000x better than Rampage, and Chuck probably has a good team and will take the job seriously. I feel like there’s always second guessers but this was the right decision
by Myke25 on Dec 6, 2009 10:27 AM EST reply actions
This doesn't much matter to me.
I don’t care about the fight. So what? I cared a lot about seeing Rashad and Rampage fight, this last season still sucked ass. This will suffice just fine for TV purposes, and I think it will be funny to see Tito act cocky and then get upset when Chuck pulls the “you lost to me twice” card. As people have pointed out, they’ll probably do an acceptable job of coaching. And there’s a good chance that they’ll beef up the rest of the July card so that it isn’t just Tito and Chuck. The fight may be pointless, but it likely won’t be torturous to watch either.
The real issue is who the fighters will be. As this season proved, nothing matters if most of the fighters aren’t any good and/or fun to watch.
50% more Ultimate than the leading competitor.
You know what..
My first reaction to this was sour but I think this could accomplish some good things:
1. Tito and Chuck are good coaches, and I think the fighters will benefit unlike last season.
2. If Chuck wins he can go out on a good note, and I hope he does retire for good if he does.
3. if Tito loses he pretty loses all credibilty, and I can’t imagine him wanting to be a stepping stone for the up and coming fighters. Chuck will do what Tito did to Ken. Then Tito will retire.
That being said, if Chuck wins and wants to fight Kimbo so be it, then Chuck can boot Slice right out of the UFC as well. I think Chuck is done IMO but he can do some real good here.
if tito opens his mouth on television
we’re all in trouble
"he's the best punchy face man in the buisness"
by blubber_guard on Dec 7, 2009 2:47 AM EST up reply actions
Lol, no thank you.
But, if the fighters are good, it can be nice. And while I don’t care about the fight, the “bad blood” and the outcome, at the end of the day if the fighters are good, in shape, with good motivation, good technique… it can be a great season. I don’t even remember the coaches of season 6 (karo? lol), but I remember the fighters and the fights.
10/24
I was hoping for
maybe a similar situation of the America/England season except with Cro Cop as a coach for a bunch of guys from Eastern Europe and …well I really just wanted to see Cro Cop training some people to kick like he does…
"The ball always seems to find Ed Reed...The man is a menace"
I love comments like this:
Only people that like this matchup are non-mma fans (DWTS), casual fans and the new and/or bandwagon mma fans who never got to see the first two fights. (though all those people equal ratings we should be running a legit sport)…
Just for context: (and I’m sure I’m in the majority)
I am definitely a frontrunnner\bandwagoner. Jumped on right after I watched UFC1. Went straight down to the Gracie Academy on Carson and signed up. Got to talk to Royce right after he flew in from Denver after the Shamrock fight. If I had a penny for every MMA, ADCC, K-1 event I’ve watched since 1993, I’d be one rich mofo.
So yes, bandwagoners like myself are pumped for Chuck and Tito III
"Mindwarp earthlings seek to change our path" - Nick Blinko
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