Who Is Coaching TUF?

by Michael Rome on May 6, 2008 1:29 AM EDT in MMA News

The 8th season of The Ultimate Fighter is scheduled to begin filming in late May. Until this afternoon, nearly everyone was expecting it to be coached by Frank MIr and Antonio Nogueira. This was reported on an internet MMA site about a month ago, and then UFC quietly pulled Mir from the July show.

However, there are some reasons to think this is not the case. First of all, during the period right after Chuck was injured, I heard from numerous people that Mir v. Nogueira was being considered as a possible replacement main event for that show. Second, Nogueira said today that his next fight will be in August.

It's possible they could have the champ fight inbetween, but unlikely. Maybe he's just wrong, many fighters have been in the past. But it's not completely clear anymore they are the coaches. In terms of other possible options, the only one that jumps out at me is GSP and Jon Fitch, mainly because I heard GSP say on the radio that he doesn't expect to fight for at least 6 months. I guess we'll be finding out soon enough, probably at UFC 84.

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Re: Who Is Coaching TUF?

Is it too much to ask to say enough's enough with this TUF crap?

by Popetastic on May 6, 2008 10:55 AM EDT reply actions

Re: Who Is Coaching TUF?

yes.

by BJJDenver on May 6, 2008 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Who Is Coaching TUF?

Just kidding popetastic.

I think this season is far superior to some of the past ones, but unfortunately it may be to late.

The ratings it gets seem poor, but are still amongst Spike's most viewed and are demographically strong.

I think the only way to improve it any further, would be to have some more familiar names, but then you get the comeback season again.

Or how about Celebrity TUF or Ultimate Fighting with the Stars, lol??

One thing that might work, but never will happen, would be a female TUF. And I mean work ratings wise.

by BJJDenver on May 6, 2008 11:31 AM EDT reply actions

Re: Who Is Coaching TUF?

As for the coaches, it probably would take a lot to get it done, but how about 4 smaller teams featuring fighters from camps coached by actual coaches?

Team Greg Jackson
Team Pat Militech
Team Renzo Gracie
Team Randy Couture

Not saying those specifically, just giving examples.

Kind of smacks of the IFL somewhat.

by BJJDenver on May 6, 2008 11:33 AM EDT reply actions

Re: Who Is Coaching TUF?

I think UFC needs to explore new avenues in television. I think the format, despite some tweaks, is just too old. I really dislike how they use each season now to build a fight, especially if it's a title fight.

I mean, let's play devil's advocate here for a second and say Nog isn't fighting in August, and he and Frank Mir are really going to be the next coaches: for a series that isn't even filming yet. That puts the heavyweight title in the shed for a farcical length of time.

by Popetastic on May 6, 2008 1:26 PM EDT reply actions