TUF 17 Tryouts Announced
By Chris Leslie on September 10, 2012
With “The Ultimate Fighter 16″ debuting this Friday on FX, the UFC has already sent out a casting call for “TUF 17.” The tryouts will be held for middleweight and light heavyweight fighters on September 17 in the Grand Ballroom of the Palace Station Hotel.
Prospective contestants must be 21 years of age, have a verified winning record in at least three professional fights, and must have a completed application at the tryout.
No coaches have been announced for the show at this time, but the program will likely air in early-2013. The show has returned to a pre-taped format this season after experimenting with live fights for their first foray on FX.
Middleweights last made an appearance at TUF 11, where Court McGee proved victorious. Light heavyweight was featured on TUF 8, where light heavyweight contender Ryan Bader earned the Ultimate Fighter crown.
Latest
TUF 17 : Silva vs GSP. What do you think?
Unlikely, they want it for Super Bowl Weekend. Not enough time for the show. Could be a pair of top lightweights though.
I don’t think they will hold it on the Superbowl weekend. I could always be wrong but here are my reasons why.
1. they want it to be in Dallas, the Superbowl is in New Orleans. The two are too close together and many people will travel from Dallas to attend the Superbowl. Especially in the very unlikely chance that Dallas or Houston was to make it there.
2. They wouldn’t want such a huge fight to be dwarfed by the Superbowl. All eyes will be on the Superbowl. It is the largest sporting event in the US. Having the fight on the same weekend would take away from the attention it could garner if on a weekend by itself.
3. To go along with #1 many people would be forced to pick between attending the Super Bowl or the fight. Most people would chose the Superbowl if given the chance. This would hurt ticket sales.
4. Finally, they like to have the Super Bowl and 4th of july fights in Las Vegas.
As I said those are just my opinion. I think the fight could happen in early April or even late March.
A few counter points
1) Dallas is still about 8 and a half hours away from NOLA, Atlanta is closer to NOLA
2) The UFC has historically sought to put some of their biggest cards of the year on Super Bowl weekend. (Penn vs. GSP, Lesnar’s hyped debut, Belfort Silva, GSP-Diaz was planned for that weekend)
3) The average NFL fan couldn’t afford a Super Bowl ticket without selling a kidney anyways.. and it is on Sunday as opposed to Saturday
4) It would be GSP-Silva… they would happily skip Vegas for a weekend if those two could fight that weekend.
The only way they wouldn’t push for that fight is if GSP loses to Condit or if he’s injured badly in the fight
Anthony Pettis and Donald cerrone?
2 very likable guys and winner could get a title shot.
You nailed it, there’s a reason this bout hasn’t been placed atop a card yet. Have to believe that’s the reason.
Plus it’s not unlikely that Houston could make it to the Super Bowl.
I beg to differ but hey there is always a chance huh. Steelers are going in the AFC.
honestly i think the last few people they’ve asigned as coaches have just been a complete joke, i feel its kinda ruined the whole ultimate fighter buzz so i doubt i’ll even tune into the next few
@Chris Leslie
You too make good points but I just don’t think they’d do it then. I would prefer them too because its a fight I’ve been waiting for years for and the sooner the better. If I was in charge of the UFC though I wouldn’t hold it that weekend for the reasons I stated but I am just a fan and am no where near as smart as the people who run the UFC. Personally I wouldn’t even have the fight at Cowboys stadium. I would have it at The Superdome in New Orleans, where the Superbowl is being played this year. It is a rather large dome. I believe the 2nd highest capacity of any domed stadium in the US (don’t hold me to that). Or they could have it at the Georgia Dome since I live 60 miles away from it but that is just wishful thinking. The reason I wouldn’t hold it in Cowboy stadium is because I would hold the bigger fight there: Silva vs Jones. I think that right now GSP vs Silva has lost some luster and is no longer the biggest super fight. I actually think there is even another one that could push that one to 3rd. As mentioned before Silva vs Jones is the biggest but I think a Jones vs Dos Santos super fight would be huge also.
The reason it’s Cowboy stadium over the rest is because it’s new and it’s layout lends itself better to combat sports. Plus, you have the massive screen, which is what most would have to watch anyways. The Superdome is the largest true dome in the country but many retractable roof stadiums are larger. As for the GA Dome… That thing is awful now… There’s a reason why the falcons are one of the lowest rated teams when it comes to value and that’s it. UFC would go to Gwinnett before that place.
Also, I get your points but you go with the plausible matchup. Neither of the other two you mentioned are even close to happening. DW said last weak that if GSP beats Condit, that’s the next fight they’ll make. the UFC finally needs a big splash event, and even if it has lost some luster, its still a massive splash…
Yeah the GA Dome is terrible but that was just meant as wishful thinking. Arthur Blank the owner of the Falcons is trying to get approval of a new stadium now. I don’t think it was going to have a roof though. The Superdome was just a suggestion. I was trying to make the point that maybe they should go to a little bit smaller stadium and save Cowboy Stadium for the bigger fight.
Just as a head’s up, I live here too ;) New stadium would have a retractable roof