The Ultimate Fighter 19 features B.J. Penn's return to the UFC as the opposing coach to Frankie Edgar. It has mostly flown under the radar in terms of news from the show, other than a judging controversy or two. The reason for that is probably uneventful fights that have gone to decisions. Despite the show not even being over yet, UFC president Dana White told MMA Junkie that it hasn't lived up to expectations:
"It was without a doubt the worst season and the least motivated the fighters have ever been. But I can say this, at least the fights pick up at the end."
He went on to compare the motivation of the fighters in Vegas to the ones that are currently filming TUF: Latin America:
"Let me tell you the difference between that season and what’s going on with Mexico and Latin America right now," White said. "Every day we’re in there, and I don’t want to miss any of these fights. These guys are so pumped to be living in that house and so excited to be fighting. It’s just crazy. … When I go to those fights, it’s fun. I feel like I’m at a fight I just paid $1,000 for my ticket."
He's not going to put the blame on Penn or Edgar though, but on the fighters themselves. And said that we might not see many on the TUF 19 Finale, scheduled for July 6th in Vegas:
"You can’t blame the coaches, you can’t blame this or that; you blame the guys and how bad they really wanted it," White said. "That’s just my opinion, but we’ll find out at the finale. We’ll see who shows up and what they do, and they better step it up because those guys are going to come into the UFC. Whoever wins that finale is going to the UFC."
"You might not see one of those f—ing guys in the finale," White said. "If it was up to me, no. I was not impressed."