Looking back at TUF 14, could Brandao and Dodson become champions in the UFC?
Posted on December 5, 2011, 03:19 AM by Ryan VenturaNearly seven years ago, a tv show brought the sport of Mixed Martial Arts to the mainstream public. When The Ultimate Fighter season one debuted January 17 2005 it was a big gamble for ZUFFA at the time to venture into the unknown waters of reality television. That crapshoot paid off, gave birth to a legion of loyal fans, and created superstars and champions out of many who appeared on the show. After fourteen seasons, the show that saved the Ultimate Fighting Championship will now start a new chapter in the spring of 2012 on FX. Last Saturday was the ‘swan song’ for the series on Spike. Although the series didn’t end with quite the bang that it did when it first started back in ‘05, its legacy will forever cemented into MMA history. Let’s one last look back at the fourteenth season.
TUF 14 kicked off the season with a two hour special featuring some of the world’s best Bantamweights and featherweights outside of ZUFFA. The mainstream public were introduced to the likes of Diego Brandao, John Dodson, Bryan Caraway, TJ Dillashaw, and many more. Names that MMA fans have been familiar with for a long time, but are now featured on the main stage. We’ve seen everything from brutal forty seven second knock outs to high caliber triangle chokes. This season talent wise was looking to best cast of fighters TUF has ever seen.
Aside from the fights, we got to know the people living in the house personally, watched them train, and interact with each other. The Ultimate Fighter wouldn’t be the Ultimate Fighter without an assortment of pranks, adult beverages, confrontations, and personal issues between coaches. Through all the entertainment and television drama, by December 3rd John Dodson was crowned the king of TUF in the bantamweight division and Diego Brandao reigned supreme in the featherweight division.
With this being the last season of TUF on Spike and the series as a whole in its current form what will you remember most about The Ultimate Fighter 14? Will John Dodson and Diego Brandao be able to follow in the footsteps of Forrest Griffin and Rashad Evans before them? When TUF airs FX will you still watch? What changes do you hope are made to the show to make it more appealing to you? Leave your thoughts in the comment box.
Comments
Diego Brandao looks like he wants to destroy the guy in front of him....You think you can take my spot gringo!!!
The only thing that makes me have doubts about Diego being champ one day is the numerous losses on his record. He looks very good, striking wise and on the ground as well, but he lost a lot apparently. I think it must be because of his cardio... But I definitely think he can be at least top 5 in his category.
As far as Dodson is concerned, i see a true force in him. He really makes his size disadvantage become an advantage. He's got cardio for days and has KO power as well which is so rare at this weight, on top of having some great wrestling skills. His mental looks good as well. Can't wait to see his next fights.
The spider didn't have a clean record coming into the UFC either. I'm just saying. sometimes people actually learn from their losses. Others just bitch about em.
No and No.
if brandao keeps fighting like do or dye he is going to finish guys or get finished the same as his record say. i hope jackson gets him more calm but without losing his agresiveness. if that happens he could be someday a contender IMO. i think bemudes has everything to be a contender to. and if dodson can avoid being dominated on the ground by a bigger fighter he could make noice on his division. if there were fly weight division im sure he will be fighting for the title
I think Diego will find his match more than once at this point due to his style and seeing Dennis get the better of him for a while he is not a stand alone fighter like Aldo. Both Dennis and Diego will do well but I actually think Dennis is the fighter that is improving at a faster rate. I think Dodson will find losses to the top guys in his division due to the caliber of the top guys and the fact they are just as quick as him and even nastier. I honestly don't see champs coming out of this TUF season even though they were amazing. They just happen to be jumping into the divisions with the most talent in them and it will show when they start fighting the guys that have been around.
I think quite a lot of these guys could go far in the UFC! this season of TUF is a bit like the first season cause there isn't a whole lot of guys in either weight class, but it depends on how much these guys improve in the next year or two.