A TUF Situation
by Dave Franklin

At the TUF 6 Finale Dana White announced TUF 1 winner and  #1 contender to the LHW title, Forrest Griffin, as the first coach for The Ultimate Fighter 7.  The next night, on Spike's VGAs, Dana announced UFC LHW Champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson as the other coach. Finally, it was announced that the two coaches would be fighting each other at the end of the season for the LHW title.

This next season of TUF 7 is slated to be 16 middleweights competing for the title of The Ultimate Fighter. With Rampage and Forrest having two of the most charismatic personalities in MMA and Dana's promise to  "shake things up," TUF 7 may be the best season yet.

The middleweight division is the weakest division in the UFC but may have the most dominate champion (Anderson Silva.)  Hopefully, this season will add some depth to this division along with the additions of Michael Bisping and Dan Henderson. The coaches are both from the light heavyweight division, which is WHY for the second season in a row, I am annoyed about TUF 7. (check out my TUF 6 blog)

The UFC has 9 of the top ten LHWs in the world currently under contract.  TUF 7 starts TAPING in January, which means we will have to wait until June or July for the LHW title to be defended. Once again, the UFC is putting forward great T.V. at a cost of putting the division on hold.

A year ago, when Chuck Liddell ruled the division, there was not competition in the LHW division. Now, the division is one of the deepest and most intriguing. What is going to happen to the LHW contenders?

• Chuck Liddell - Chuck faces his "Nemesis," Wanderlei Silva. Chuck is coming off of back to back losses, but with a win against Wanderlei could be in contention for a third installment of Rampage vs. The Iceman.

• Wanderlei Silva - See above... Wanderlei is also coming off back to back losses. Wanderlei holds 2 wins over the current UFC LHW champion. Would a win put him in contention as well?

• Ryoto Machida - Undefeated in the UFC and MMA. Facing Sokoudjou at UFC 79. Definitely should earn a title shot with a win.

• Rameau Sokoudjou - Two amazing KO's over top LHWs in 2007 when he defeated Lil' Nog and Arona in Pride. Facing undefeated Ryoto Machida at UFC 79.

• Thiago Silva - Also undefeated in the UFC and MMA. His last win over Houston Alexander puts him on the map.

• Keith Jardine - Suffered a KO to Alexander, but went on to upset Chuck Liddell at UFC 76.

• Mauricio Rua - Even after suffering a defeat to Forrest Griffin, Shogun should still be considered a top contender for the LHW title. The 2005 Pride Middleweight Champion holds victories over some of the top LHW fighters in the world including current LHW champion Quinton Jackson. Rumors are putting Shogun against Tito Ortiz in May '08. If Shogun can win that fight in his normal dominant fashion, he should be at the top of this list.

With the fight between Rampage and Forrest not happening until early summer due to TUF 7 taping, editing, and airing,  none of these other contenders will get a chance at the title until September of 2008. Also, what happens if Rampage is forced to pull out? Another interim title?

As you can see, my problem with TUF is making champions the coaches. I do not like when top contenders have to wait for a title shot. I do, however, understand and appreciate the situation the UFC is in. They need to bring in ratings to make money. What better way to boost rankings than to feature a champion and his challenger facing off as opposing coaches then meeting in the Octagon?
Being an avid fan of MMA, I will look on the positive side of coaches being on TUF 7 and enjoy the great fights between the top contenders while they wait for their title shot. As much as I am annoyed, I will be watching TUF 7 and will be eagerly awaiting the fight between Rampage and Forrest.