UFC plans to take TUF Worldwide, Phillipines possible for 2011
Posted on February 16, 2011, 12:54 AM by Joey Santosus“The “Ultimate Fighter” is going to start airing in every country. We’re going to start doing “Ultimate Fighter” U.K., “Ultimate Fighter” Canada, the “Ultimate Fighter” Philippines, we’re doing it everywhere. We’re doing nothing but cultivating new talent. I’m pretty sure the first one’s probably going to be the Philippines.”
Set to begin airing next month on Spike TV, The Ultimate Fighter: Lesnar vs. Dos Santos will mark the 13th installment of the series since it was launched in 2005. And while the show has seen a variety of talent and interesting characters, there has never been a season based outside of the United States. According to UFC President Dana White, however, this is all about to change. With the promotion's plans for global expansion, comes an increased need for talented fighters. White addressed the issue during Tuesday's conference call, revealing plans to take the reality series world-wide.
The Ultimate Fighter is largely credited with the UFC's mainstream success, as it has produced such talent as Forrest Griffin, Stephan Bonnar, Diego Sanchez, Josh Koscheck, Rashad Evans, Michael Bisping, Ryan Bader, and many more. However, aside from TUF 9, which featured a U.S. vs. U.K. tournament format, the show has never focused primarily on finding non-American fighters.
Comments
this will probably be for the featherweight division, and have aldo as coach
I think it could be the start of a flyweight division. The flyweight division is ment to be pretty big in the Philippines
i called my filipino classmate a "stupid filipino" in second grade. and then my teacher confronted me about it and i blamed it on Sadam Huessane.
i love it, i'm of filipino descent.
My fiancee is Filipino. Can't wait to go over there in 2013!
This is great news for the Philippines. I hope it succeeds.
Get TUF to Brazil, that would be insane.
give nover another channce..
Thatll be great. Get some new blood in there. Maybe we can find some guys who wont gas out in Rnd 1.
Awesome news. Let's hope they train some Kali and Panantukan while they are there.
mma is huge in the philippines, even though business-wise it may not be as profitable as going to china or japan but mma in the philippines has a following. we have 2 leagues here, (fearless and urcc). Let mark munoz and vera come in and coach. We might even see pacman in the show giving boxing tips.
With a population of 100 million, the Philipines is a big country filled with rabid MMA fans--it makes a lot of sense for the UFC to hold events there, and develop young fighter's through a local TUF program.