So, I have some mixed feelings about this. I am so happy to see WMMA growing in the UFC. But it is a little sad that Invicta has been building this awesome organization, only to lose the best talent in arguably their strongest division all at once like this. One thing for sure. I WILL be watching TUF season 20! Can't wait! And it looks like it will be for the Championship, with them already signed to the UFC. My early prediction is Torres vs Calderwood. But then again, I am not very good at such predictions! http://invictafc.com/ufc-launches-w...-addition-of-11-new-athletes-from-invicta-fc/
My 1st thoughts exactly, after hearing the news this morning - Still, from a UK based fan, it will be nice to see some of my favourite WMMA fighters getting more screen time. Travess
Same. Sad to see such a good promotion lose its fighters but at the same time its probably the best thing for the fighters themselves and it is a sign that the ufc is taking wmma seriously. Considering it wasn't that long ago White was adamant he wouldn't bring them in its a good sign overall.
Looking at that roster, the women's 115 lb division is probably going to become one of the UFC's main attractions.
The best fights at Invicta 7 were the strawweight bouts, so I think Dana has got this decision perfect. Invicta are just experiencing what every other mma promoter has been experiencing for the last 20 years: their best fighters abandoning them for the ufc. Now that's equal opportunities.
I guess I'm not the average UFC fan, but I wouldn't imagine an all women Ultimate Fighter is going to get much by the way of ratings.
Did you watch the last season? The women by far got the best reception from viewers. The quote said they've all been given contracts so is this TUF going to be a tournament to find the 115lbs champ instead of a fight for a contract?
Are you aware that the last TUF had mixed fighters? Half women and half men? And that the womens fights had significantly higher ratings than the mens fights? And that the finale did VERY WELL ratingswise? Dana White said the good ratings of the women on the last TUF is why they decided to go this route.
I hope so. Still think the way Ronda was crowned "champ" was a fanboy move by Dana and a bit silly really. The winner of TUF 20 (and subsequent champ) will do it in a far more respectable way. Thoughts on coaches? My money is on Megumi Fujii and Jessica Aguilar.
:love: Excellent Choice Award to you, sir; however, I think she is retired now. Too bad her fight with Aguilar ended the way it did.
That list is basically the top 10 strawweights in the world, so it wouldn't make sense not to give them all contracts. One TUF winner does not a division make.
Yeah, it would make for a great rematch. Maybe Mega-Megu can be coaxed out of retirement. The most underrated female fighter for a long time.
In regards to Coaches (I havent seen/read all the details so sorry if already mentioned). Is it gonna be male coaches or are they (UFC) going to choose 2 females from what they got at the moment? I'm also interested in the company economics and its impact. They already mentioned that they were struggling to get everyone contractual fights. Hence the conditional 2 losses and maybe youre out rule. Will contracts be shorter? Longer events? More events? Are they going to cut more from the current roster? This probably also explains the increase in the cost of PPVs (by about £2.50 / $5.00) Lorenzo has admitted in an interview that Zuffa has not met UK fans needs and are looking into a UFC Euro league as it were. With UFC Asia still essentially in its testing stages (TUF China just starting and TUF Canada v Australia about to start).
I was going to say that I didn't see her coming out of retirement, but she might for a chance to rewrite her Swan Song. Though, as the others here have said, it supposed to be male coaches --> though I could see potential problems being two male coaches for an all-female house. What's the lyrics in that Police song? "...the accusations fly..."
Will see what GSP says tomorrow when he announces his plans for the future. I dont think it needs the "coaching build up" as its commercial enough to have a high PPV buy. Also I dont think theyll want to take away focus from the girls too much. Especially when its also essentially a 115lb Champ show. Wonder how that'll get played? First ever Champ crowner?
In an all woman show? I'd be surprised if there's time to show the fights with all the drama that's going to be going on. That said, the fights will be immense. There are some really exciting fighters in that division. Invicta must be sick.