[Shrigs]

Originally Posted by thebrownburro

Touche'. Didn't know Titties was 10-0. Good fact. Honestly though, as dumb as it may sound, I think their records are pretty irrelevant. Considering they are all pretty green for the most part and you can't compare the people they've fought. A few of the guys like Schaub, Demico and Wren have bright futures. Jones, I believe, is some sort of anomaly. He's like the BJJ Lesnar. Except he's all respcectful and smart. I don't see anyone being able to deal with his size and athletic ability. He can take punches. His crazy ass BJJ skills are just the finishing mechanism. A vessel of the inevitable if you will. I could see him being one of the best HW in the world in 2 years. Why do I say this? Brett Rodgers. If he could rise through the ranks that fast, anything is possible. For some reason, I don't really see Jones continuing to pursue MMA as a career. He knows a ton about the sport. I see him becoming an analyst full time.

I agree with you on the fact that their records are pretty irrelevant. But really, we have no other way than to compare their records to one another (until they fight). Basically the way I saw it, was that, these guys have all fought a bunch of "No Names" if you will, and I don't imagine these "No Names" vary that much in skills. Maybe more so in their base skill set, but in overall MMA skills, I would imagine they're fairly close. Titties has atleast shown versatility in his 10 fights, having 5 wins by TKO and 5 by Submission is always good. He's also fought a few fights that have gone 3 rounds+, which is another good thing for him.

Like I said, I think if he can take Marcus into deep waters, then Marcus may break. I like Marcus, I think he's probably the most entertaining guy off this season, but I'm not sure he's got what it takes to win the contract. I do think he'll be a steady fighter in the UFC though, maybe not for a very long time, but he'll make a name for himself, and I'd agree that there's a chance we see him as an analyst later on. Very well spoken, very likable guy, and he knows the sport. You know Dana and Co. love the fact that he was a pretty big time NFL player, because it's only good for the UFC with Marcus.

[thebrownburro]

Originally Posted by Shrigs

I agree with you on the fact that their records are pretty irrelevant. But really, we have no other way than to compare their records to one another (until they fight). Basically the way I saw it, was that, these guys have all fought a bunch of "No Names" if you will, and I don't imagine these "No Names" vary that much in skills. Maybe more so in their base skill set, but in overall MMA skills, I would imagine they're fairly close. Titties has atleast shown versatility in his 10 fights, having 5 wins by TKO and 5 by Submission is always good. He's also fought a few fights that have gone 3 rounds+, which is another good thing for him.

Yeah, 10 wins is never irrelevant. I was referring more to the losses for some of the other guys. I think the talent they have faced probably varies pretty widely.

[AdamBomber]

tuf is the easiest route to the ufc hands down

[KieranMac]

Originally Posted by Shrigs

And whoever said these guys need to get into good camps...

Schaub - Jackson's
McSweeny - Jackson's
Big Baby - Gracie Tampa
Madsen - HIT Squad
Wren - Lutter's BJJ

So most of them are already with good camps as it is.

I said (and I quote) "Those not already training with one of the bigger camps need to get picked up at the end of the season."

The first four words are key. I'd heard that several already were and that some of been picked up since, so this comment was not directed towards them.

[KieranMac]

Originally Posted by Shrigs

Like I said, I think if he can take Marcus into deep waters, then Marcus may break. I like Marcus, I think he's probably the most entertaining guy off this season, but I'm not sure he's got what it takes to win the contract. I do think he'll be a steady fighter in the UFC though, maybe not for a very long time, but he'll make a name for himself, and I'd agree that there's a chance we see him as an analyst later on. Very well spoken, very likable guy, and he knows the sport. You know Dana and Co. love the fact that he was a pretty big time NFL player, because it's only good for the UFC with Marcus.

Definitely agreed. I dunno about the analyst route just yet (though he would be a good on-air partner for Amir Sadollah) but he's definitely my favorite from the house. No drama, just asskicking and name-taking. He's highly aggressive in the right way (i.e. begging for a fight in the Octagon, not like Junie-style or anything), respectful and intelligent. I'm hoping he wins the show, but we haven't seen enough of his standup to really know if he can handle someone who he can't put on the ground. His BJJ is pretty damned solid, especially for such a big guy. Now we've just got to see what his cardio is like - he's hauling a lot of muscle mass around.

Anyhow, looking forward to his semi-final fight.

[Shrigs]

Originally Posted by KieranMac

I said (and I quote) "Those not already training with one of the bigger camps need to get picked up at the end of the season."

The first four words are key. I'd heard that several already were and that some of been picked up since, so this comment was not directed towards them.

Ah my mistake brahski. Just misread a little bit, but I'm sure there are still people out there who didn't know that stuff anyways.

Originally Posted by KieranMac

Definitely agreed. I dunno about the analyst route just yet (though he would be a good on-air partner for Amir Sadollah) but he's definitely my favorite from the house. No drama, just asskicking and name-taking. He's highly aggressive in the right way (i.e. begging for a fight in the Octagon, not like Junie-style or anything), respectful and intelligent. I'm hoping he wins the show, but we haven't seen enough of his standup to really know if he can handle someone who he can't put on the ground. His BJJ is pretty damned solid, especially for such a big guy. Now we've just got to see what his cardio is like - he's hauling a lot of muscle mass around.

Anyhow, looking forward to his semi-final fight.

Yeah, I agree again. I don't think he'll necessarily jump right into a sort of "analyst" type of role, because I think he's got a handful of years of fight in him. Pending injuries, of course. I just meant it in a way that he seems to be one of the most popular TUF guys in recent memory. Who cares about Bader? Wilks? Ross? Efrain? Nover? Amir? CB? That's the way I see it, Big Baby has really connected to the fans with this. He's such a level headed guy, and he's not nearly the guy you would think he is after just looking at him. I think he's sort of struck the same chord that Kimbo has done, in that he's a big, bad, looking dude who just so happens to be really down to earth and humble.

[silence]

anyone else happen to think that putting wren against blubberguard was a fantastic calculation to get nelson off the show and away from a shot at teh contract?

of anyone on the show, wren, or maybe jones, is the guy to put nelson away, and i'll be happy when he does.

[Maximumpain]

Originally Posted by Shrigs

Yeah, I agree again. I don't think he'll necessarily jump right into a sort of "analyst" type of role, because I think he's got a handful of years of fight in him. Pending injuries, of course. I just meant it in a way that he seems to be one of the most popular TUF guys in recent memory. Who cares about Bader? Wilks? Ross? Efrain? Nover? Amir? CB? That's the way I see it, Big Baby has really connected to the fans with this. He's such a level headed guy, and he's not nearly the guy you would think he is after just looking at him. I think he's sort of struck the same chord that Kimbo has done, in that he's a big, bad, looking dude who just so happens to be really down to earth and humble.

I agree that there haven't been that many fighters from recent seasons that are worth following, but I don't think Amir is one of them. I really liked him on the show. It was interesting that Gump was his coach cuz I see a lot of similarities between the two. He's very down to earth and humble. He was constantly claiming he wasn't the biggest, strongest, or most talented fighter in the house yet he ad the skills to win it all. I also thinks it takes a little while for most fighters to come out of TUF and right into becoming a household name even if they win it all. I think that has more to do with a fighter's win loss record after leaving the house. If they continue to win more people will recognize them where as if they are losing they just fade away into obscurity (see Lutter).

[KieranMac]

Originally Posted by Maximumpain

I agree that there haven't been that many fighters from recent seasons that are worth following, but I don't think Amir is one of them. I really liked him on the show. It was interesting that Gump was his coach cuz I see a lot of similarities between the two. He's very down to earth and humble. He was constantly claiming he wasn't the biggest, strongest, or most talented fighter in the house yet he ad the skills to win it all. I also thinks it takes a little while for most fighters to come out of TUF and right into becoming a household name even if they win it all. I think that has more to do with a fighter's win loss record after leaving the house. If they continue to win more people will recognize them where as if they are losing they just fade away into obscurity (see Lutter).

Agreed - of all the fighters to come out of there in recent history, I think Amir is definitely the exception. Most everyone was pulling for him on the show and when he armbarred CB in the semis, then did almost the exact same thing in the final, I was pretty damned happy. And he's the only TUF alumnus (so far) to be given a TV hosting job, which speaks to both his personality and his fan base.

The rest of them I could scarcely care less about, but Amir's good people. I'm hoping Marcus has a similar route - and as you can see from Amir, you don't necessarily have to be retired to have other career options, though I imagine hosting a TV show would have to get in the way of your training...

[Shrigs]

Originally Posted by KieranMac

Agreed - of all the fighters to come out of there in recent history, I think Amir is definitely the exception. Most everyone was pulling for him on the show and when he armbarred CB in the semis, then did almost the exact same thing in the final, I was pretty damned happy. And he's the only TUF alumnus (so far) to be given a TV hosting job, which speaks to both his personality and his fan base.

The rest of them I could scarcely care less about, but Amir's good people. I'm hoping Marcus has a similar route - and as you can see from Amir, you don't necessarily have to be retired to have other career options, though I imagine hosting a TV show would have to get in the way of your training...

Well the thing I think with Amir, is that they've stuck him on this TV gig because he's been the most popular fighter of recent, but hasn't actually been able to fight. They needed to find SOMETHING for him to do, or else, like Maxipad said, he could have fallen into obscurity. He's got a lot riding on this fight with Baroni. If he doesn't beat Baroni, then he could be in trouble. I do think that Hendricks was definitely a bad matchup for Amir, in that he was a guy not many people knew, but definitely had legit skills. We all know what Baroni is, and so does Amir, so let's see what he's got. If he loses here, then he's in a tough position. Baroni is a vet and all, but if he can't beat Baroni, then there's not really any chance of him making noise at WW.