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[The Iceman]

Credit To:bloodyelbow/ufcmania

Next season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) will feature 16 middleweight fighters, which will provide the 185-pound division with some depth and perhaps some future stars.

Here’s a snip from BloodyElbow.com:

“UFC matchmaker Joe Silva made an appearance at the Combat Sports Challenge in Richmond, VA this past weekend where he announced to the crowd that the next season of The Ultimate Fighter will focus exclusively on the middleweight class. No further details are available at this time. However, if ultimately true, this would be a boon to a comparatively weak division.”

Middleweights who have participated on the mixed martial arts reality series have gone onto excel inside the Octagon — Diego Sanchez, Mike Swick, Josh Koscheck, Chris Leben, Kendall Grove and Ed Herman all spring to mind. Those fighters, however, were not all on the same season.

The new format now focuses on just one weight class. For example, TUF 5 showcased lightweights, while the current season, TUF 6, is set to award a six-figure contract to one 170-pound contestant.

With a handful of premier 185-pound fighters in the UFC stable right now, the talent from TUF 7 might be able to provide a much-needed spark for the division. In fact, it’s surprising the welterweight show came out before the middleweights.

There is no timetable for casting, filming and the debut of TUF 7 on Spike TV at this time. Early 2008 would seem to make the most sense — just stick around for more details.

Link:http://ufcmania.com/2007/10/01/ufc-u...middleweights/

[Noob]

Finally. The most-needed weight class.



We'll see what they come up with. Hopefully it will help bolster the ranks a bit in that division. Even if they only come up with a few decent fighters, anything would help at this point.

[Dork8503]

I bet if Rich beats Anderson he will be a coach.

Anderson i think will end up a coach but will need to practice his english alot more

[jlruthven84]

Originally Posted by Dork8503

I bet if Rich beats Anderson he will be a coach.

Anderson i think will end up a coach but will need to practice his english alot more

That's a definite possibility; of course, by that time there may be the potential for Franklin and Hendo to be opposing coaches.

[bega]

I know he is not MW but they need Wand as a coach

[Severn]

Another show to find Anderson an opponent huh? I hope the winner of this one makes weight.

[Bullock]

Originally Posted by Noob

Finally. The most-needed weight class.



We'll see what they come up with. Hopefully it will help bolster the ranks a bit in that division. Even if they only come up with a few decent fighters, anything would help at this point.

Agreed. Lets just hope they don't all drop down to WW after the show is over.

Originally Posted by The Sundance Kid

But seriously, I wish they would bring in Evan Tanner to Coach, seems like it would really do him some good. Although I'm not sure how much he could push the guys right now.

if i was going to beerfest i would definitely want evan tanner as my coach

[lilp86]

^^^Thats exactly what I was thinking if you look at the first seasons 85ers Leben is one of the only ones still fighting at 185. I wonder who the coaches are gonna be I think the Hendo winner of Rich/ Anderson is a good Idea then they can unify the belts on the finale or the PPV after the finale

[Dr. MMA]

Originally Posted by Bullock

Agreed. Lets just hope they don't all drop down to WW after the show is over.

yea i was just gonna say that too... look at TUF 1... diego, kos, swick and florian all dropped weights.. and florian dropped two weight classes. I swear he's the skinniest lw but damn he keeps improving.