If you were a fighter, would you try out for TUF?

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: NicoSuave
Date: March 18, 2013 at 01:50 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/if-you-were-a-fighter-would-you-try-out-for-tuf.52994/

I've always felt that the guys on TUF have screws loose for wanting to subject themselves to that kind of environment, but with the way the current season is going, and the announcement of next season's format, I feel a little more positive about possibly trying out in 3 years when I hit the minimum age.
How about you?

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: smartigan
Date: March 18, 2013 at 02:09 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/if-you-were-a-fighter-would-you-try-out-for-tuf.52994/

Only if I can smoke weed and dodge my taxes

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Flound
Date: March 18, 2013 at 02:13 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/if-you-were-a-fighter-would-you-try-out-for-tuf.52994/

The one thing I regret is that MMA wasn't around when I was training and competing. I started taking judo in 1972, TKD from '76, boxing in '80 and kung fu in '81. However, by the mid 90s, I was pushing 30, married, not training nearly that much and competing then wouldn't have been suicidal, from a marital and financial standpoint.
For years, I did well working in bars, cooling unruly customers out the door with words (first choice) or the occasional trip and choke.
And I have no illusions about how good I would have been. I never would have made the UFC. Probably wouldn't have made the WEC, SF or Bellator. Maybe a local promotion as best. I'm simply too thick and stocky. A welter/middleweight version of Pat Barry - thick like dump truck, but always operating at a size disadvantage compared to bigger guys who cut down.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: osubuckeye4
Date: March 18, 2013 at 02:13 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/if-you-were-a-fighter-would-you-try-out-for-tuf.52994/

Depends on where I was at in my career.
If I was 18-21 and having success on the regional circuit? No chance I'd tryout for TUF.
If I was 28-31 and had very mixed results on the regional circuit? Absolutely, I'd tryout for TUF as one last shot of making a real career out of MMA.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: princecharlestampon
Date: March 18, 2013 at 03:03 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/if-you-were-a-fighter-would-you-try-out-for-tuf.52994/

At 5 ft. 4 in. tall, I'd look like a rolly pollie at featherweight and I wouldn't want to suck weight to make it into the flyweight division, so no.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Fight Magnet
Date: March 18, 2013 at 03:17 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/if-you-were-a-fighter-would-you-try-out-for-tuf.52994/

The biggest downfall I would think is being locked into that TUF contract.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Flound
Date: March 18, 2013 at 03:21 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/if-you-were-a-fighter-would-you-try-out-for-tuf.52994/

princecharlestampon said:
At 5 ft. 4 in. tall, I'd look like a rolly pollie at featherweight and I wouldn't want to suck weight to make it into the flyweight division, so no.
Click to expand...
At flyweight, were you thinking of going FtM transgender?
Tamp, you just got hotter....

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Moranis
Date: March 18, 2013 at 03:31 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/if-you-were-a-fighter-would-you-try-out-for-tuf.52994/

Fight Genome said:
The biggest downfall I would think is being locked into that TUF contract.
Click to expand...
Yeah, but, it isn't like those guys are actually making that amount (first couple of fights, maybe, after that, no way as long as they keep winning). And the exposure for sponsors and what not is significantly better than the guy that works his way up through the UFC.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: princecharlestampon
Date: March 18, 2013 at 03:37 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/if-you-were-a-fighter-would-you-try-out-for-tuf.52994/

Flound said:
At flyweight, were you thinking of going FtM transgender?
Tamp, you just got hotter....
Click to expand...
I think the meat and potatoes would be a distraction..

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: TheREALOmoPlata
Date: March 18, 2013 at 03:38 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/if-you-were-a-fighter-would-you-try-out-for-tuf.52994/

I would have tried out for sure. If you want to do something with that career choice, you've got to get your name out there by any means neccessary.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Fight Magnet
Date: March 18, 2013 at 03:40 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/if-you-were-a-fighter-would-you-try-out-for-tuf.52994/

Moranis said:
Yeah, but, it isn't like those guys are actually making that amount (first couple of fights, maybe, after that, no way as long as they keep winning). And the exposure for sponsors and what not is significantly better than the guy that works his way up through the UFC.
Click to expand...
Fer sure, I'm not saying there's no benefits to it, it is basically a three year contract though without much leeway, that isn't all that lucrative, but like osu mentions,
osubuckeye4 said:
Depends on where I was at in my career.
If I was 18-21 and having success on the regional circuit? No chance I'd tryout for TUF.
Click to expand...
and the contract would be the reason. IF a guy could show some success on the smaller circuits, pick up a belt and stay relatively undefeated, not to many losses. I think his bargaining power would be just that much better than going the TUF route to get in the BIG show.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: TheREALOmoPlata
Date: March 18, 2013 at 03:42 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/if-you-were-a-fighter-would-you-try-out-for-tuf.52994/

Flound said:
The one thing I regret is that MMA wasn't around when I was training and competing. I started taking judo in 1972, TKD from '76, boxing in '80 and kung fu in '81. However, by the mid 90s, I was pushing 30, married, not training nearly that much and competing then wouldn't have been suicidal, from a marital and financial standpoint.
For years, I did well working in bars, cooling unruly customers out the door with words (first choice) or the occasional trip and choke.
And I have no illusions about how good I would have been. I never would have made the UFC. Probably wouldn't have made the WEC, SF or Bellator. Maybe a local promotion as best. I'm simply too thick and stocky. A welter/middleweight version of Pat Barry - thick like dump truck, but always operating at a size disadvantage compared to bigger guys who cut down.
Click to expand...
I feel you, I am just a bit too old to have caught it when it was others then guys like my instructors (i.e. guys that would whoop my *** badly) that were fighting at the Indian reservations. Then it got bigger and ten years later now you can easily find a amy bout on most weekends.
I also worked and ran bars and have had some luck, especially with chokes. Of course, not many people knew what was coming or had never even knew it was possible to do such a thing. I'd rather not have to try doing that anymore....injuries haven't helped either.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: osubuckeye4
Date: March 18, 2013 at 03:52 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/if-you-were-a-fighter-would-you-try-out-for-tuf.52994/

Fight Genome said:
and the contract would be the reason. IF a guy could show some success on the smaller circuits, pick up a belt and stay relatively undefeated, not to many losses. I think his bargaining power would be just that much better than going the TUF route to get in the BIG show.
Click to expand...
Exactly.
Imagine if a guy like Junior dos Santos did the TUF route when he was 23 (as opposed to getting the call up as a late replacement to face Werdum), the UFC would have had him locked up for his first 9 UFC fights and he would have got a salary of $300,000 if he won all 9 of those fights.
That being said, it makes perfect sense for a guy like Mike Rio who was 31 and who had been fighting professionally since 2008 and for wahtever reason not really broke through. Rio is in the UFC now and he has a chance to make a name for himself in the lightweight divison.
And before someone flames me out... I know that UFC fighters get better sponsors. I know that there are bonuses like FOTN/KOTN/SOTN... I get all of that.
I'm just saying that at 18-23 I'd much rather dominate the regional circuits (if I'm that good) and hope for a UFC callup to take a fight on short notice and get on a card that way, than hop right into TUF.
Between 24-28, it's much more murky/unclear.
29+, what have you really got to lose?
Then again, unless a guy is a total phenom... I'm really against seeing super young guys in the UFC. I hated watching a 19 year old Struve fighting in the UFC. The kid was nowhere near fully developed and he suffered some brutal KO's. He should have spent another 2-3 filling his body out and learning how to utilize his jab, rather than the UFC offering him a contract at 19. (I suppoes that's another arguement/conversation though)

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: mmablaster
Date: March 18, 2013 at 04:08 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/if-you-were-a-fighter-would-you-try-out-for-tuf.52994/

If I was 9-0 and already drawing interest from the UFC, no, I wouldn't do TUF. I'd take an outright contract. EX-Jimi Manuwa
However, if I was like 14-4 with a few tough losses that have kept me pinned to the regional circuit, then yeah, I'd tryout. Also, if I was like 3-0 and looking to make a name for myself.
TUF really should look at throwing out a 150K outright bonus for winning the tournament. Maybe pool together some money from Harley, Bud Light and FoX for that. That is one way to get better fighters.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: phoenix-mma
Date: March 18, 2013 at 04:08 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/if-you-were-a-fighter-would-you-try-out-for-tuf.52994/

If you're on up and coming fighter I think it's definitely a good idea. It looks good on your resume and fight reel.
Alot of small will only hire guys they've heard of, so that's why its usually the same guts every card. When you're getting started you don't have the money for an agent or manager, so you're sending all the emails and making all the calls yourself.
If you don't make it, oh well. But if you do make the cast it makes you that much more marketable to a promoter. We've all seen fight posters with "MEMBER OF TUF" on it. Suddenly you're name goes to the top of the list of other unknowns. Not to mention it makes it a tad bit easier to secure a sponsor if you're atleast a recognizable name.
Having TUF on your resume will help open some doors, but your talent has to speak for itself. If you suck, then that door will slam in a hurry.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Fight Magnet
Date: March 18, 2013 at 04:13 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/if-you-were-a-fighter-would-you-try-out-for-tuf.52994/

osubuckeye4 said:
Exactly.
Imagine if a guy like Junior dos Santos did the TUF route when he was 23 (as opposed to getting the call up as a late replacement to face Werdum), the UFC would have had him locked up for his first 9 UFC fights and he would have got a salary of $300,000 if he won all 9 of those fights.
That being said, it makes perfect sense for a guy like Mike Rio who was 31 and who had been fighting professionally since 2008 and for wahtever reason not really broke through. Rio is in the UFC now and he has a chance to make a name for himself in the lightweight divison.
Click to expand...
Thinking about this, really has me wondering about how Jordan Mein's contract will play out with the UFC. Potentially, it gives us the view of our theory, being that he didn't go the TUF route.
A TUF winner who goes 9-0 can earn $300,000 total on the contract, but only $150,000 is guaranteed for all three years if 9 fights are fought.
Click to expand...
He was making 9,000 a fight for Strikeforce, not sure what he was making with SFS. Will have to watch him over the next 3 years to see how his pay scale turns out.(provided he keeps winning)

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: osubuckeye4
Date: March 18, 2013 at 04:18 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/if-you-were-a-fighter-would-you-try-out-for-tuf.52994/

phoenix-mma said:
If you're on up and coming fighter I think it's definitely a good idea. It looks good on your resume and fight reel.
Alot of small will only hire guys they've heard of, so that's why its usually the same guts every card. When you're getting started you don't have the money for an agent or manager, so you're sending all the emails and making all the calls yourself.
If you don't make it, oh well. But if you do make the cast it makes you that much more marketable to a promoter. We've all seen fight posters with "MEMBER OF TUF" on it. Suddenly you're name goes to the top of the list of other unknowns. Not to mention it makes it a tad bit easier to secure a sponsor if you're atleast a recognizable name.
Having TUF on your resume will help open some doors, but your talent has to speak for itself. If you suck, then that door will slam in a hurry.
Click to expand...
This is a chicken/egg arguement though.
The small orgs will only hire guys they have heard of... but, if you're good enough to make it on TUF, you have to be good enough to win in the small orgs.
Outside of Amir Sodallah, almost everyone on TUF has had at least some moderate success in the smaller orgs.
And if they didn't, they were at least attached with a "name" gym and had coaches vouch for their skillset to UFC brass.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Contender
Date: March 18, 2013 at 04:22 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/if-you-were-a-fighter-would-you-try-out-for-tuf.52994/

When I was nineteen I made a decision not to compete in karate tournaments despite my sensai asking me to represent his dojo. I've regretted it ever since. Part of the decision was based on giving up drugs and a particular lifestyle and trying to work towards a better future (which didn't turn out so great). I think if TUF were around, I probably would've seen an opportunity in it and would've worked towards it instead. And since I was beating black belts at the time (I never belted up because I thought the entire system was a farce... and still is), I reckon I would've done alright

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: NicoSuave
Date: March 18, 2013 at 04:41 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/if-you-were-a-fighter-would-you-try-out-for-tuf.52994/

Can I hear a few of your opinions of how you would feel living in the house?
Keep in mind you could end up being featured on a dual-division season, so size and gender could play a role in how your housemates treat each other.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Moranis
Date: March 18, 2013 at 04:45 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/if-you-were-a-fighter-would-you-try-out-for-tuf.52994/

osubuckeye4 said:
Exactly.
Imagine if a guy like Junior dos Santos did the TUF route when he was 23 (as opposed to getting the call up as a late replacement to face Werdum), the UFC would have had him locked up for his first 9 UFC fights and he would have got a salary of $300,000 if he won all 9 of those fights.
That being said, it makes perfect sense for a guy like Mike Rio who was 31 and who had been fighting professionally since 2008 and for wahtever reason not really broke through. Rio is in the UFC now and he has a chance to make a name for himself in the lightweight divison.
And before someone flames me out... I know that UFC fighters get better sponsors. I know that there are bonuses like FOTN/KOTN/SOTN... I get all of that.
I'm just saying that at 18-23 I'd much rather dominate the regional circuits (if I'm that good) and hope for a UFC callup to take a fight on short notice and get on a card that way, than hop right into TUF.
Between 24-28, it's much more murky/unclear.
29+, what have you really got to lose?
Then again, unless a guy is a total phenom... I'm really against seeing super young guys in the UFC. I hated watching a 19 year old Struve fighting in the UFC. The kid was nowhere near fully developed and he suffered some brutal KO's. He should have spent another 2-3 filling his body out and learning how to utilize his jab, rather than the UFC offering him a contract at 19. (I suppoes that's another arguement/conversation though)
Click to expand...
But that just isn't true. Those TUF guys make way more money their TUF contracts from the UFC if they achieve a certain level of fame. Put it this way, do you really only think Roy Nelson gets 48k for the fights he is winning now? If so I have some nice beachfront property to sell you. It is is Missouri, but I'm sure you will just love it.