Since the first Chris Liben melt down to Ryan Bader wrestling his way into a 6 figure contract I have devoutly watch the Spike TV/ UFC program "The Ultimate Fighter" reality series. This brain child of Dana White started back in the Reality Show boom a few years back. In a wash of terrible reality shows, this show really didn't stand out at first. I think if you were a die hard UFC/MMA fan you were watching, giving support to the show to see it work. I think the mass public looked at most in the TUF 1 house as a bunch of meat head thugs that were just there to hurt each other. I would say that the first season is still my favorite, which seems to be the case in most reality show instances, there is a sense of reality that is captured on the first one. A close second is Josh Hanes on season 3, his motives for being there were truly honorable and he fought like he had to win. Many of those guys were there for the TV time. I think the show took on a life of it's own and showed that it was a cash cow then the live finale took place and we got so see Griffin Vs. Bonner in a hellfire 3 round beat down. Both men left everything in the octagon and for their efforts were awarded UFC contracts. Bonner has kind of petered out, but Griffin wound up fulfilling his and the UFC's dream of cultivating a champion from the reality series.
Lately, though, the TUF product has become something of a character clinic. Truly, I really watch anymore of the fights and the coaches. I could watch these shows like I watch Britney Spears music videos...with the sound off! Two words, Junie Browning. Junie maybe single handedly killed this shows success in the long run. Then again, maybe his Liben-wannabe antics have secured that it will be around for a long time, taking it in strange new directions.
For fight purists and those of us that actually practice avenues of Mixed Martial Arts, I want to throw up every time I see our sport depicted in this way. Even Dana White in the first 2-3 seasons said that he was out to break that street thug image that most people have of the sport. So with great anticipation and reluctance all at once I wait for this season's TUF.
The bright spot in this season has got to be the fact that Michael Bisping and Dan Henderson are the coaches. Like I said I watch now a days for the fights and the coaches. Most find Bisping annoying, but he is a damn good fighter and I like him. Hendo is always a good show, but he is so low key and soft spoken, it will be interesting to see how he translates to TV.
Who knows, maybe this batch of fighters will be great and not just in it for the TV time. It does seem like after a alcohol filled sausagefest season, Dana tones it down with an actual good, technical, clean shaving boy season. Cheers to all who still have the stomach to watch the train wreck that is The Ultimate Fighter!
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