Dana White Criticizes US vs. UK Ultimate Fighter Format
In a recent interview with The Sun, UFC President Dana White offered sharp criticism of the ninth season of The Ultimate Fighter, which is slated to feature a United States vs. United Kingdom format.
“I said from day one I hate the UK v USA idea. It’s dumb, I don’t like it — it’s not USA v the UK, we’re looking for the best fighter in the world. We put on a card one time, the USA v Canada, it was f***ing retarded.
“I don’t care if you’re from the UK, Croatia or Brazil because at the end of the day, when Michael Bisping comes to America — Americans don’t boo him. When GSP comes down and fights in the US more people cheer for him than the guy who’s from America! When Tim Sylvia from the United States fought Antonio Nogueira from Brazil, everybody booed Sylvia on the way in and cheered for Nogueira. The reason is because in this sport it’s not country versus country. You either like the guy’s fighting style or personality — nationality has nothing to do with it. That’s the way it used to be with boxing, with the exception of Ricky Hatton because everybody hates Floyd Mayweather! But with the exception of that, you never saw guys from one country cheering a guy from a different country. That’s what’s changing in what we’re doing. We’re looking for the best fighters in the world — this country versus that country is irrelevant.”
Recent casting calls for The Ultimate Fighter 9, which will feature lightweights and welterweights, in London and Chicago netted a record number of participants despite more strict guidelines.
UK star Michael Bisping is slated to coach the UK squad while the US is likely to be coached by Dan Henderson. The coaches are then likely to square off in a featured middleweight bout in mid-2009.
Tags: Dana White
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I agree with Dana. The whole point of the show is just to find out who the best fighter is. The U.S. vs. U.K. concept just gets in the way. It is a waste of time.
Too bad i cant read the story with this stupid ad popping up in my face – site ruined – deleted from favorites
ive got to agree and disagree with dana on this one, i agree with him on yeah we want to see the best fighters in the world no matter were there from but i like the usa vs uk thing, no doubt about it usa should win but i still want to see were are guys are at in terms of skills compared to the usa
Best fighters in the world…….team/country concept…..I love the show and see Dana’s point. Maybe he will get lucky and end up with a great pool of talent for the season. Either way I’ll be watchin’.
I do think the concept of this is a bit silly. Who cares tho, it will be entertaining I guess.
Dana is so full of crap. If he wanted a different fight format, there would be a different fight format. Dana is the boss.
Bottom line, Dana wants to build up the UFC in England and Europe just like he did in America. The Ultimate Fighter reality series is what put the UFC on the map here and he hopes for the same in England.
I don’t buy this garbage about criticism towards the season 9 fight format.
On a side note, please Henderson, if you must fight Franklin before this season airs, for gods sake man, don’t lose! Imagine Tito had lost to Forrest before season 3 airing?
Also, I sure hope Franklin has no part in this season of TUF either. I don’t want to see guys fighting on their knees so they can’t be kicked all season long. lol!
It is silly it just comes across as a terrible wrestling war Esq tag it is a horrendous idea.
And putting Bisping in with Hendo is suicide Hendo will knock him out in the 1st and i’m saying that as a Brit !
Markus, I think it’s clear that Dana is the boss, but he doesn’t get to make all the decisions. In fact, this may have come from above him.
I think someone pitched the idea to the Fertitta bros and they liked it enough to say make it so. There are some factors that Dana can’t even overcome, and that is a 100% ownership share.
That said, I like that it is a (hopefully temporary) departure from the usual brainless **** that happens on TUF (see Junie/Leben/JT-Money). Shake things up for a season (REALLY like the 32 fight-on format) and then see if it doesn’t maybe get things back more to fighting and less on who is a drunken ass.
I’m sure there are a fair share of Brits who act like Junie and friends, but all that I’ve met can handle beer/liquor and may bring a little professionalism to the show.
Considering that Dana is against the idea, I would like to know who made that decision.
Dana is correct. This is stupid.
Correct me if i’m wrong, but won’t we still find out who the best fighter’s are? Say USA sweeps the UK, USA will have to fight USA guys in the end, no?
Cart – I haven’t seen any pop-ups on MMAFrenzy.com, but if you see another one let me know what the ad is for and I’ll take care of it.
@Kris, in all of the time i spend here i havent seen a pop~up either..
The TUF US v UK is what it is, and if Dana doesnt like it good on him, trust me Spike and Zuffa will make a little bit of money from it, soo that will put a little smiley face on everyone… As long as Bisbing gets ko’d in the finally i would deem the concept a success…. Actually it is quite lame, and i didnt like the whole Canada v US ppv either…
Justin, its probably the Brothers Fertitta who does own 90% and make the decisions at times.. just a thought
FR702,
Yeah, I know, I just think its interesting that Dana didn’t say who was making that decision.
Justin, i think they (Brothers) were like look man just sign off on it, and he did…. the Brothers are looking to make Europe theirs and this is a good step for them to “create” UK talent, you know other than Bisbing, Kongo, Reljic…
Yeah, I get what you’re saying.
The exact format isn’t really known yet, but I see it going two ways. The first is basically two mini-tournaments with the UK and US fighters each holding their own tournaments then the winner, one UK fighter and one US fighter, meeting in the finals. The other would be the US and UK fighters meeting in the opening round and from there just having a regular tournament where the winners would fight regardless of their country.
yeah i agree with dana.. its gonna be a big flop. its almost guaranteed..
Never had a pop up here either. Guy was probably hacked from a porn site lol.
I DEFINATLY AGREE WITH DANA.They are looking at finding the best fighters in the world.All FIGHTERS OVER THE WORLD WHO APPLIE SHOULD GET THE CHANCE OF BEING THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER
I agree. us VS uk will limit the talent that makes it to the show. no pop ups here
Just one more step in the Vince Mchman wrestling direction for Dana and the UFC. Remember, Dana thinks Vince is a genius. And the whole UFC business model is modeled around WWE.
I thought this idea “uk vs us” was retarded aswell. I mean WTF dude.
On the Bisping vs hendo
DUDE I CAN’T WAIT!!!! FINALLY!! HENDO IS GOING TO FU&#KIN KILL BISPING AND GET HIS TITLE SHOT. THIS WILL BE BISPINGS FIRST TRUE CHALLENGE @ 185 AND DUDE, HE’S FIGHTING DAN HENDERSON. CAN’T WAIT TO SEE BISPING OUT COLD WITH A KO OR SUB.
dont count out bisping he could pull off an upset and beat hendo…you dont know that he is gonna get run over…he could ko/sub hendo for all we know
The format can grow different ways then this…Better ways…It just sounds like “Jumping the Shark” from the little that we do know. 2 Tourneys would lead to two shows(US-UK) and tie up another hour of Programming to sell ads for every season.
highly unlikely Gun, but i do agree dont underestimate him (which u should never do in a fight ex GSP&Chuck)
also it is not given that it is Hendo it could be Franklin as well, if the money is right
It does sound a bit like “jumping the shark”. I have high hopes that it won’t end up that bad, though.
i argee wit u lot
Meh.. have a house in the UK.. have a house in the states.. have two rounds of qualifying shows for each house.. start th eactual fights with half the fighters compared to usual (good IMO.. all the first 2-3 rounds of TUF fights are almost always ****ty and one sided) then have the winner of each house fight each other..
Could be interesting.. could be more then one fight per show instead of watching a bunch of drunk retards jerk off on sushi..
Sounds like the show could be a win to me
I dont think its a that bad of an idea, ive been watching it for the past few weeks, and its interesting watching the two nations vs. In the real world were there our greatest allie so it doesnt matter, its just having some fun.,
I understand what Dana is saying, but in the end we’re going to find who is the best fighter out of this batch. Whether it ends with an yank fighting a Brit, two Brits, or vice-versa.
This style doesn’t stop the best fighter from being showed as the best fighter.
It might just be a bit more interesting to see how things play out. I imagine everyone will bring a bit more fire and passion into the octagon – everyone will be going at it a little harder being backed by your country. Not the colour blue or red.
who care’s??? If you u like it watch it. If you don’t don’t watch it! watch eastenders or something! For god’s sake! If more fighters get better opportunities to fight, even if it is thro a stupid show who care’s? Focus on the opportunity’s given, not the oscar awards for creativity!
Im from the UK and I completly agree with dana that the idea is to find the best new fighter and maybe that best fighter could be living in Brazil or any country and would maybe kick all of the US and UK guy’s A** but they won’t have the opportunity to be found because of the whole UK vs US concept thats going on.