The original concept for the 9th season of “The Ultimate Fighter” seemed intriguing on the surface, but flawed from the start.
By coming up with the “country vs. country” concept they had to force Michael Bisping into the obvious spot of Britain’s coach. That raised some ire was when Dana White said “win or lose” over Chris Leben, Bisping would be the coach.
Then there was the talk that the fight between Rich Franklin and Dan Henderson could determine the U.S. coaching spot. Despite the prestigious honor, neither Franklin nor Henderson seemed eager to represent their country.
Now there is some talk that Demian Maia might be the coach that faces off against Bisping. But Maia is Brazilian you may be asking yourself? Perhaps, if he is appointed coach, the show may be “UK vs. Brazil” or the “country vs. country” concept may be scratched altogether.
Dana White recently said, “Joe Silva and I were talking about it, and we’re making some moves right now in the 185-pound division. We’re thinking about [Maia]. We think very highly of him.”
White has publicly criticized the concept for the show in recent weeks, which indicates that he was not involved in the development for this season’s concept- A surprising revelation for a man with a Napoleon-like complex.
The coaching job may suite Maid just fine. Soon after dispatching Quarry, Maia made a pitch for his potential rival coach.
“Maybe Michael Bisping is a good fight for me,” Maia said.
Just maybe Mr. Maia- And I am sure all those young fighters on the show would love to know how you pull off that BJJ wizardry of yours.
In other Middleweight musings…
If Rich Franklin vs. Dan Henderson won’t determine a coaching spot then what are the consequences for the winner and loser of this fight? Especially since these in-limbo MW fighters are fighting at 205.
A lot of that has to do with what Anderson Silva does. If Silva does decide to move to 205 permanently, and vacate the Middleweight belt, I could see Franklin moving back to the 185 to finish out his career, win or lose. Franklin seems to be stuck been a rock and a hard place here. A rematch with Silva, at 185 or 205, doesn’t seem likely unless that path is forced.
I have a feeling Dan Henderson is still looking for a rematch with Silva so a win over Franklin would put him in great position to ask the UFC for a rematch. I am sure he would prefer it to be for the MW belt though. However Henderson will fight anyone and in at any weight. Would a rematch at 205 be a better matchup for Hendo?
So who is the clear cut No. 1 contender to Anderson Silva’s MW belt anyways?
Is it Demian Maia (4-0) who recently beat Nate Quarry but has not really beaten a Top 10 MW- unless you count Jason McDonald?
Is it Yushin Okami (6-1) who also hasn’t really beaten a Top 10 MW-unless you count Mike Swick?
Is it Nate Marquardt (6-2) who recently destroyed Martin Kampmann at UFC 88, but lost a controversial split decision to Thales Leites? He has also gotten his shot at Silva and lost at UFC 73.
Is it Thales Leites (5-1) who recently got a split decision win over Nate Marquardt but got beat decisively by Martin Kampmann and has fought no one good outside of that.
Michael Bisping and Dan Henderson are all in the mix but we don’t know anything with them until UFC 93 and TUF 9 are both settled.
If anyone has a clearer view of whom the real No. 1 contender is then voice your opinion below.
