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[cpac77]

Take a guy like Joe Lauzon for example, he has a well documented win over Pulver. What is there to gain for a guy like Lauzon who was already on the road to probably earning a nice contract with UFC? Maybe a more lucrative deal? Maybe the exposure on TV will help get him more sponsors, which means more money? Anyone shed some light on this topic?

Take another guy like Matt Wiman, he had a pretty good showing a few months back vs. Spencer Fisher until Spencer knocked him out with a flying knee. For someone like Matt who didn't have nearly as much experience at the time, getting knocked out by Fisher isn't an upset. Fisher was by far the favorite and I'm sure most people had him winning in the first round. Keep in mind that Fisher was one win away from probably fighting Sherk. Franca got his title shot after beating Fisher.
It makes more sense for Wiman to be on the show since he lost his last 155 bout. Anyone have an opinion on this?

[superjld]

I think if you look at the amount of exposure the UFC seems to give to TUF contestants opposed to other starting fighters, going on TUF is a great way to generate fan recognition. Plus, guys like Sanchez and Kos have moved up much faster due to TUF than they would if they had fought their way up via a more traditional route.

[neonatural45]

Becuase sadly more americans know who danny abaddi is then who jon fitch is

[thumper]

Superjld hit it right on the head.

The recognition is fantastic. Just ask Gabriella... I mean Gabe.

The other part, is the winner comes out of it a pretty happy dude cash wise. Much happier than a guy that's had one untelevised UFC fight and won 5 grand.

[Legend]

Exposure is pretty much what it all boils down to. The better known the fighter is means more money from sponsors and the demand to have him fight will increase. It's all about get their faces out there and making some money.

[da@LARGE]

I think you can look at TUF two different ways.

1) it's a reality show set to "discover" the greatest "unkown" fighter, OR

2) it's an eight, or in this season's case 16, man tournament presented in a reality show format.

Even if a fighter is confident of being successful without going on the show, they may see it as a tournament and go on for the challenge and exposure.

[sandywh]

I agree with these other guys. Its all about exposure. If you're popular on TUF and make it the the final 4, you will certainly have a lot greater chance to sucdeed than if you turned them down.
Joe Louzon beat Jens Pulver. Did he have a big fight after that?
Leben, Bisbing, Hamill, Diego, Kos, Leben, Quarry, Ken-Flo. These are just some thew guys that got to fight cans there first few fights.
Granted some of them have been tested before they were "handed the world" with fighting Karo, Silvia, Franklin. But if Kos, Leben, and other guys that lost had not been on TUF, they would either be fodder for the big names or still working their way up in the Idaho Indoor Internation Mixed Martial Arts Association (IIIMMAA) (don't Google it. I made it up)

So yes, I'd take that chance aswell. I guy like Emerson would have never seen the Octagon if it weren't for TUF.

Sidenote: Most underrated TUFer that has gotten no push - Luke Cummo.

[cpac77]

Understood, makes sense. Thanks guys for the insight.

[AJL416AZ]

mo money mo money.


if people know your face, advertisers will come a'runnin
Jamie Varner was offered a spot and tried out for the show, but once he found out he was only an alternate, he just went to fight at 68

[tmac]

Unfortunately the system really isn't all that fair. It seems like the guys that were on the show get a much bigger push by the UFC. Like someone else mentioned, Danny (who sucks and got his ass beat on the show) gets to lose two fights in the UFC.

Then you have other guys, who didn't go on the show, that worked really hard to get there competing in smaller orgs. They finally get their chance to be in the UFC, they get one fignt and they are done.

I think that the comeback season actually showed that there was a lot of talented guys who got their one shot (or two) and then that was it.