The Ultimate Fighter Season 11 – A Look Ahead

Written by Ryan AnthonycloseAuthor: Ryan Anthony Name: Ryan Anthony
Email: mica1884@gmail.com
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About: 25 year old Tennessee resident and small government conservative. I first discovered my love of writing while working for a high school newspaper; that was eight years ago. Now I'm studying for an Associate's Degree in journalism. My favorite topics to cover for Parcbench include contact sports and television.See Authors Posts (34) on February 5, 2010

Like noble Viking warriors of Valhalla, or that ignoble Scientologist tin navy called the “Sea Org,” the fighters of the UFC keep coming back. Whether Randy Couture in and out of retirement, former TUF coaches Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz tapped for Season 11 of my favorite last-man-standing reality show, or matchmaker Joe Silva’s axe hanging over the average UFC event, the fighters of the Ultimate Fighting Championship know that if you don’t give your all – you don’t stand a chance.

With the newest installment in Spike TV’s ratings bonanza just around the corner, our twice-removed cousin to the kumite tournaments of Bloodsport has seen everything from torn ligaments to (literally) exposed skulls; drama queens to heels; requests for carpenters and carpet cleaners; heavyweights to lightweights.

But, and this is a question I’m sure people are still asking, has it seen a new tournament format? Since I’ve made it my mission with this article to keep you all abreast of the UFC’s major events I’ll answer that to the best of my ability:

Season XI of The Ultimate Fighter, for which production kicked off late last month, will feature twenty eight (yes, that’s a two and an eight) contestants. Unless a triangle match is also being planned for TUF’s “Ultimate Finale,” it’s not out of the question to assume accomplished MMA fighters would get first round byes. With around eight confirmed combatants, the Ultimate Fighting craze is taking another step into the global arena: UFC 112 is set for Abu Dhabi, where fighters such as the 20-12-1 Tokyo native Yuki Sasaki have been cutting their championship teeth.

And it’s a good thing the EunuchBomber isn’t on its fight card.

Speaking of accomplished fighters, Brock Lesnar – whose dual presence on the BleacherReport list of ten best martial artists reflects the single-digit number most appropriate for universal health care – is going to have a lot of fighters gunning for his title when he gets back.

Now on to recapping last Sunday’s UFC 106: the two-hour event headlined with a match between BJ Penn and Diego Sanchez, fought five hours and fifty from where I hang my hat as the Mapquest flies, the FedEx Forum on Beale Street.

A brief summation of the action for our MMA junkies that missed the show:

First fight was Clay Guida (who came out swinging and looking like the GEICO caveman) vs. KenFlo Florian, who won halfway through the second round with help from his elbows.

Stefan Struve won a decision vs. Paul Buentello, surviving a botched flying knee attempt. Canadian T.J. Grant quenched the fire of Kevin Burns with a foot to the family jewels and a rapid wave of punches near the five minute mark. All three members of the Canadian military can watch the fight over and over, to learn something from their countryman’s conduct under pressure.

Damarques Johnson choked Edgar Garcia; Al Belcher’s electric pink trunks and rapid uppercuts won him a victory over Wilson Gouveia; Frank Mir submitted Cheick Kongo, and BJ Penn would rain granite fists on Diego Sanchez, toying with the Nightmare through a few rounds to keep the title he gained at UFC 101.

All in all, it was a great night.

Let’s hope the Serra-Trigg battle planned for this Saturday’s “Relentless,” or even 16-9 Mark “The Hammer” Coleman’s match up with Randy Couture, is half as entertaining as Diego’s loss to Baby J.