God save the Queen!?

As advertised, TUF season 9 began yesterday. If you read my last post you are well aware that there is much criticism within the MMA community for Mr. White and Co. for the character portrayals that seem to be dominating the show as of late. This season may be no exception, but I did like the fact that the producers made the Brits out to be a very blue collar, determined, well schooled bunch of blokes. I honestly think that a UK fighter will win one, if not both divisions this season. Although, I can't really tell you who I think will do this, I am just throwing my prediction out there this early. Good fights, even though it seemed like there was a little favoritism among a few of the fighters.

Dana arrives in England where Bisping awaits outside of the MMA training complex affectionately known as the Wolfslair. They go inside where 16 competitors are waiting with Tapout adorned on each fighter (talk about a corner on the market, although Dana just signed a deal with Triumph and was wearing one of their shirts instead of a Tapout shirt.) Dana informs the Brits that only half of them will be making the trip to Vegas to fight for the UFC contracts. The battles ensue and we have our nameless 8 that are going on to Vegas.

I am already cringing as the next episode's preview begins. It is the American boys' turn to show what they got. And we have a guy who is struggling to make weight, and another guy who is fainting on the pedestal (Ala, Phillipe from last season.) I think that this is the MMA embodiment of how the rest of the world views the U.S. in general. We want max results with minimal effort. We half-ass everything and shit on opportunity, we don't take enough seriously and act like our life depends on our own success. We think we are better than everyone else when obviously we are not. I am not going to stand on a soapbox here, but wait and see, if one of the US guys does win it will not be through true grit and determination, it will be from half-arsing it and lucky picks. Maybe it is the English running through my blood, or the fact that I go against the norm. I love the underdog story in every avenue, so God save the Queen and let's see how this goes.