The Perfect Balance

by Martial Farts on Apr 24, 2009 5:02 AM EDT

Just got through watching this week's episode of The Ultimate Fighter, Season 9.

I must say, it was probably the most well put-together of all the episodes I have seen for a very long time.

The thing they got right, for me, was balance.

There was the perfect balance of silly in-house drama, banter from the coaches, pre-fight training and strategy, and the actual fight.

With a show like this, balance is essential. You can't have too much of one thing or the other. Some of you bemoan the drama aspects of the show, and claim to be "only watching it for the fights." You probably only read Giant Hooters Monthly for the cookery tips, too, right?

And you can't have endless footage of immature and childish pranks and people saying "warrior" and swearing and breaking things and arguing and getting drunk. That gets seriously boring after a while.

This week, they actually showed the pre-fight training in detail and showed the coaches going over strategies with their fighters, something that had been sorely missing from previous seasons. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Bisping break down the opponent's strategy and come up with a game plan accordingly.

The balance was just right this week. When the drama got boring, the training began. When enough training had been shown, the fight began.

Ah, the fight. What more can be said?

Look high, kick low, oldest trick in the book.

Oh, and did you guys see Yamamoto Kid watching the fight alongside Dana? Omosheroi....

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.

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Oh, and did you guys see Yamamoto Kid watching the fight alongside Dana?

Yeah. That was sweet.

Mask was there too. It was kinda ominous.

"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." - Sir Winston Churchill

by FlyByKnight on Apr 24, 2009 6:54 AM EDT reply actions

If Kid doesn't win the Dream FW tourney...

(which I think he will), then it’d be awesome to have him in the WEC at ’45 or ’35.

I wouldn’t mind him staying in Japan, though. There are alot of great potential matchups with the Dream/ WVR tourney competitors.

Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.

'09 is the year of the FW's.

by ElliotMatheny on Apr 24, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes, but Faber/Torres ain’t among them.

by Derek Suboticki on Apr 25, 2009 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Bisbing is a solid coach. I didn’t know what to expect from him. I kinda figured he might be too concerned with his own training. Good game plan. Hendo just looked surprised.

by MMAcGyver on Apr 24, 2009 9:03 AM EDT reply actions

I think that’s just Hendo’s default look.

by Benicio on Apr 26, 2009 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I too enjoyed the strategy session.

I would really like to see that incorporated as a regular part of the show. It gives you a glimpse into what each team is thinking and also gives you gems like Diabate’s claim that the British guy doesn’t kick hard …. right before his guy gets KTFO by a head kick.

I would love to see them provide the coaches with a full set of tape on all the contestants and spend 5-10 minutes each episode showing how they break it down. The Americans were at a bit of a disadvantage since they didn’t have any tape to break down and since there is very little footage of the Brits (pre-TUF) on Youtube.

by Steve4192 on Apr 24, 2009 11:15 AM EDT reply actions

I agree, the strategy session was a nice touch.

The pranks are just lame and I think the UFC should try and throw these boys a bone by giving them some things to occupy their time with.

by Gunslinger20 on Apr 24, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

The whole idea of locking the guys into a house with not a damn thing to do is stupid. What does it add to the show? All it does is increase the odds of either in-house fights or the kind of frathouse BS we got all season eight long. But then again, both of those equal ratings and exposure.

by Monday Morning Martial Artist on Apr 24, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree, looks like its just going to lead to 3rd grade quality pranks this season since they are avoiding the “bodily fluid” pranks. The t shirt and wrestling shoes were just lame.

by Gunslinger20 on Apr 24, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions