MMA Discussion Thread Part XVI

DrPhil

And again...

Continued from here.

And a reminder how long we've been around!

MMA Discussion Thread Nov 06 - Dec 08

MMA Discussion Thread Part II Dec 08 - May 09

MMA Discussion Thread Part III May 09 - July 09

MMA Discussion Thread Part IV Jul 09 - Oct 09

MMA Discussion Thread Part V Oct 09 - Feb 10

MMA Discussion Thread Part VI Feb 10 - May 10

MMA Discussion Thread Part VII May 10 - Aug 10

MMA Discussion Thread Part VIII Aug 10 - Nov 10

MMA Discussion Thread Part VIIII (IX) Nov 10 - Mar 11

MMA Discussion Thread Part X - Mar 11 - Aug 11

MMA Discussion Thread Part XI - Aug 11 - Nov 11

MMA Discussion Thread Part XII - Nov 11 -Feb 12

MMA Discussion Thread Part XIII - Feb 12 - May 12

MMA Discussion Thread Part XIV - May 12 - August 12

MMA Discussion Thread Part XV - Aug 12 - Dec 12

MMA Discussion Thread Part XVI - Dec 12 - ?

DrPhil

I think Melendez has enough hype to get a shot, plus there isn't any clear no 1 contender in the UFC, (possibly Pettis if he beats Cerrone, given that Henderson's last defeat was against him).

It's an interesting debate on the SF champs.  Obviously when Pride went under, any Pride champs who came to the UFC (only Henderson) were given unification fights against the UFC counterparts, hence Dan Henderson fighting both Rampage and Silva.

Should the same happen with Strikeforce?  They are the no 2 promotion, like Pride were.  Then again there isn't the same history and legendary status of fighters like Fedor, Big Nog, Cro-Cop, W Silva, Rua etc that Pride had.  What makes it awkward is that some of the SF champs are worthy of a unification fight such as Melendez.  But is Nate Marquardt really worthy of a WW shot in the current crowded WW picture?  And would he take one against teammate GSP?  Would the UFC have him back considering that they cut him for a drugs bust?

DrPhil

TUF India is supposed to be next.  Never seen any Indian fighters in any promotion, but the MMA scene is growing there as a few fairly big events have been held there.

England vs Ireland would be fun...  There are a few very good prospects coming through in Ireland, especially at lower weights.  Conor McGregor being the pick of the bunch probably.

djcla

id much rather see a mix of nationalities in the main US TUF's myself it makes it far more interesting for me.

BigStu1972

I think Wrestling, or a version of it, is quite big in India. If they already had that as a base it would help.

I think Ireland should get their own TUF but the UK have already had two so not sure who Irelands opponents would be, if not UK or England.
I'd still prefer Europe, maybe Europe vs USA, like the Ryder cup.

BigStu1972

I do agree with you but I can't see that happening.

djcla

i guess the only issue with this and my thoughts on a mixed nationality TUF are that you are limited to english speaking fighters.

repoman

TUF's sort of running out of steam now.

TUF16's talent pool is ludicrously poor.  Not many of them are getting a shot on the finale.  Same with Smashes.  How bad were those Aussie fighters?  Awful.  The UK weren't much better either.

TUF17 has to pin the freakshow that is Jones v Sonnen on it to make it interesting.  

UK vs Ireland?  No thanks.  Europe vs USA?  Nope.

A comebacks season is the only way I'd be interested.

mooperman

now THAT could be interesting... kind of a "best of".....

problem is, youre asking a lot of them who still get fights easily enough (leben for example) to give up their home and family for around 2 months, i think they would stuggle to put up with that when they are already relatively famous...

DrPhil

It worked last time because the prize was a title shot. It's worth a try, take a division that's not stacked and run a TUF offering a title fight to the winner.

Who knows, the next Matt Serra could be loitering out there waiting to KO Jones, JDS, Silva or Henderson!

What about HW? Arlovski, Sylvia, Barnett for starters. None are stuck for opponents, but a shot at the UFC belt commonly called the biggest prize in MMA isn't something many could turn down. I think Pedro Rizzo is still fighting too. Sergei Kharitonov, even Brett Rogers. It's just too epic!