More than 250 aspiring mixed martial artists from the heavyweight, light heavyweight and middleweight divisions, including three former NFL football players, piled into the Marriott Seattle Airport Hotel in Seattle, Wa., yesterday in hopes of landing a spot on the tenth season of "The Ultimate Fighter" (TUF).
In attendance, scouting the new talent, was UFC president himself Dana White along with several of Spike TV's producers from the popular reality series.
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer first round draft pick turned pro MMA fighter Marcus Jones was on hand to tryout as a heavyweight. Jones played his college ball at the University of North Carolina where he was a standout All-American defensive lineman. Thus far as a mixed martial artist, Jones has put together a solid record of (4-2), stringing up back-to-back technical knockout wins over Mike Ottman and John Juarez, respectively.
Former Texas Tech defensive lineman and Indianapolis Colts practice squad player, Rex Richards, was also in Seattle trying to land a gig on the show. He, too, tried out as a heavyweight. Richards has been very impressive so far in his MMA career, boasting a record of (6-1), and having never been taken out of the first round. His only loss came at the hands of current UFC contender Shane Carwin in October 2007.
And last but not least, ex-Green Bay Packer running back Herbert "Whisper" Goodman tried out as a light heavyweight. He's put together a record of (9-6) so far as a pro mixed martial artist, most recently knocking out UFC veteran Jordan Radev in the second round at M-1 Challenge 13 less than two weeks ago.
TUF 10 is tentatively scheduled to debut in the fall. There is currently no word on possible coaching candidates for the historic tenth season.
In the meantime, TUF 9: "US vs. UK" debuted last week on Spike TV and pulled in record television numbers. TUF 3 winner Michael "The Count" Bisping is in charge of the British team, while "Hollywood" Dan Henderson has taken the reigns of the American squad. The two will duke it out at UFC 100 for the right to the middleweight kingpin sometime down the road.
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