"TUF 8" Likely to Feature Heavyweights and Lightweights - Fight Forum - MMA - UFC - Boxing - K1

T-Bone · 03-20-2008, 12:32 PM

They better get some fighters for the HW division. Yawn.

LW is pretty stacked already but I guess there's always room for more exciting fighters.

"TUF 8" Likely to Feature Heavyweights and Lightweights - MMAjunkie.com

Quote:

While the UFC and Spike TV have made no official announcement regarding the weight classes for "The Ultimate Fighter 8," producers are on the search for heavyweight and lightweight applicants.

The deadline to apply for the eighth installment of the hit reality series, which will likely debut on Spike TV in September, is April 5.

A new banner and link on UFC.com asks the simple question: "Heavyweights and lightweights: are you T.U.F. enough?"

That's a good indication that "The Ultimate Fighter 8" will feature heavyweight (206-265 lbs.) and lightweight (146-155 lbs.) fighters. MMAjunkie.com (MMA blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps - MMAjunkie.com) left messages with the UFC and Spike TV for confirmation.

The reality series, which debuted in Janaury 2005, hasn't featured heavyweights since season two, and lightweights were last featured during the fifth season. (The seventh season, which features welterweights, debuts April 2.)

For more information or to apply for the eighth season of the show, check out the online application.

Also, as we previously reported, Boston is expected to host open tryouts on April 10.

For more on "The Ultimate Fighter 8," check out the UFC Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com

FrankenJim · 03-20-2008, 12:42 PM

Out of Curiousty ( in the uk ) how do you apply and can any one apply?

Think they should of Done HW & MW. Thats the Divsions that are lacking at the mo.

NateRupe · 03-29-2008, 01:54 PM

Cool I always liked having two weight-divisions on TUF more.

giguer · 03-30-2008, 12:48 PM

Two weight-divisions is the best for TUF.

subgenius · 03-30-2008, 01:53 PM

If they do HW, then I hope that they put Brock Lesnar in there in some way. he could use the experience.

GSPALLTHEWAY · 03-30-2008, 05:57 PM

rashad could be coach!

giguer · 03-30-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subgenius

If they do HW, then I hope that they put Brock Lesnar in there in some way. he could use the experience.

That not a bad thing.

AikaImmortal · 03-30-2008, 06:22 PM

The winner will drop to LHW anyhow.

Gygax · 03-30-2008, 06:39 PM

Wait to you guys see Cain Velasquez and Shane Carwin, two of the more recent HWT signings. While they are very young, they have great potential and will boost the HWT division in the future. And there's no dropping in weight class for either. Carwin cuts weight to make 265lb and Velasquez wrestled at around 255lb in college.

HWT will always be the toughest class to fill. The biggest American athletes will always concentrate on football, thus we have to rely on the internationals to fill the American promotions.

Toshinden · 03-30-2008, 07:47 PM

Actually, I just happened to stumble upon the ad for the casting call on the UFC site, and it says they're opening up for LW and Light-Heavyweight fighters - As much as I'd love to see some more depth to HW, I don't know if there's enough exciting prospects out there to make for a good season... besides, if there's anybody that good at HW, the UFC will probably sign them anyway.

AikaImmortal · 03-30-2008, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gygax

Wait to you guys see Cain Velasquez and Shane Carwin, two of the more recent HWT signings. While they are very young, they have great potential and will boost the HWT division in the future. And there's no dropping in weight class for either. Carwin cuts weight to make 265lb and Velasquez wrestled at around 255lb in college.

HWT will always be the toughest class to fill. The biggest American athletes will always concentrate on football, thus we have to rely on the internationals to fill the American promotions.

Both guys have an NCAA wrestling background?

mmaoverload.com · 03-31-2008, 12:00 PM

There are some decent HW's out there - too bad UFC dropped them. Many have improved, such as Brad Imes, and I'd really like to see them come back.

Gygax · 03-31-2008, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AikaImmortal

Both guys have an NCAA wrestling background?

Yup. Velasquez was a very physical wrestler at Arizona State. His coaching at heavyweight was a bit weak, but he was pretty good nonetheless. Not sure exactly, but he was at least a 2x All American. As soon as he got out of school, he started training at AKA. He's just 2-0, but both fights were for good sized promotions, that being Strikeforce and Bodog. He'll be fighting at UFC 83

Carwin was an All American at both wrestling and football at Division 2. He was the NCAA Division 2 National Champion at heavyweight. He started his MMA career at 300lbs training under Ron Waterman I believe. But he made 265 for his last fight. He's very physical as well with an extremely active GnP. He'll be fighting at UFC 84.