Ultimate Fighter (TUF) country vs. country format could see future expansion

by Adam Wagner on Jul 10, 2009 3:58 PM EDT Comment 13 comments

Fresh off the ninth installment of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), which for the first time featured a country vs. country format with the U.S. taking on the U.K., UFC President Dana White is already looking ahead to potential future matchups between countries.

And with a new network television deal secured for Mexico, he could be headed south of the border.

"Once we get Mexico rolling — it’s going to take some time — I’d like to do something like we did The Ultimate Fighter: "U.S. vs. U.K." (with) U.S. vs. Mexico, U.K. vs. Mexico, Canada vs. Mexico, whatever," White said at UFC 100’s pre-fight press conference.

The promotion already struck a deal to have UFC 100 live on Televisa, which could help it achieve similar success as it has had in the U.K., Canada and now, with UFC 99, Germany. White has also made it known that he is eyeing Japan for future UFC expansion.

This news begs the question: What countries would you like to see represented in a TUF format? Keep in mind, marketability is always an issue. Perhaps Brazil? Dare we say … Russia?

Sound off, maniacs.

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Comments

Wow…If I remember correctly White was opposed to the U.S. vs. U.K. idea at the start.

by Shadyone33 on Jul 10, 2009 9:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I bet he changed his mind once he saw the ratings as well as the quality of some of the British fighters.

I’m hoping for a Brazil team, with either Anderson or Lyoto as coach (possibly Thiago if he beats GSP), as not only would it make the coach more marketable but Brazil has the most potential for a quality non-American team in my opinion. Japan, Canada and Russia would also be good choices though I’m not sure about Mexico just yet, although the UK team were a pleasant suprise so I could be proved wrong again and it would be great to see someone like Miguel Torres as coach.

by David W-S on Jul 10, 2009 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mexico vs Japan

by underdog on Jul 10, 2009 9:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

winner of Penn/Florian does next ultimate fighter with Diego Sanchez for USA vs Mexico?

by Jeff on Jul 10, 2009 9:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah Dana, it’s time to renew that burning Mexico/Canada rivalry. LOL.

by Jeremyjackson on Jul 10, 2009 9:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, so now he likes the country vs. country thing OK.

Mexico needs some time, but it’s coming along. Eventually they could try China, if the idea sticks that long.

P.S. Mexico and Canada both know what it’s like to be next to the U.S. This much we have in common, so a rivalry would be like pouding con queso: weird.

by Space on Jul 10, 2009 10:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This would be the perfect opportunity for Dana to entice Fedor to the UFC. One of the many stipulations that put a snag in the deal the first time was the fact that Fedor’s management wanted the UFC to sign the entire Red Devil team. Some of those guys have legit talent, others are still in need of major development.

Use TUF to “sign” the Red Devil team with Fedor as coach. The best of the Red Devil team will emerge and the rest can go back to smaller shows just like current cast members do. Dana will not only get Fedor in front of the casual, TUF watching fan, but he can weed out the best fighters from the Red Devil team to keep in the UFC.

Have them compete against Team U.S. again with Randy as the coach one last time. At the end, we will finally get the Fedor vs. Randy fight. Granted, it’ll be a few years late, but we’d at least get to see it rather than speculate what would happen.

by R on Jul 10, 2009 11:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Or you could put whoever the UFC Heavyweight Champion is at the time for the US head coach. Mir could talk smack the whole time or Brock could start a sentence and then storm out of the training center while punching doors.

by R on Jul 10, 2009 11:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

if gsp wins saturday, then the obvious big money show would be brazil vs canada with gsp and anderson silva as coaches and then have them fight on new year’s eve.

by JB on Jul 11, 2009 12:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

word.

by Hardcase on Jul 11, 2009 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

GSP will never fight anderson.

he likes to fight little guys

by Jesse on Jul 11, 2009 1:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If St. Pierre beats Alves I’ll bet my family that it’s Canada vs. Brazil. Nice. Tough Canadians vs. very skilled Brazillians. Note to UFC: please make sure at least half of Brazil’s team is muy thai, we don’t need any more BJJ guys other than RICARDO ARONA—who WOULD beat anderson silva!

by dave on Jul 11, 2009 12:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs