The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale (Dec. 15th)

[Gold Chain]

The thinking is now or so I'm to understand,. is that the high-end prospects now avoid TUF and look to make a name on the minor-circuit, giving them an ability to better negotiate a stronger and more lucrative deal, instead of the restrictive and unimpressive TUF, ahem, "SIx-figure contract."

[SDM]

^ Soooo much risk in that though. I would have to think that even if you're a budding superstar, slugging it out in the TUF house is the best career move you can make.

[Gold Chain]

Timothy Elliott: $12,000 (includes $6,000 win bonus)
vs. Jared Papazian: $6,000

Mike Rio: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
vs. John Cofer: $6,000

Hugo Viana: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
vs. Reuben Duran: $8,000

Anthony Waldburger: $28,000 (includes $14,000 win bonus)
vs. Nick Catone: $13,000

Rustam Khabilov: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
vs. Vinc Pichel: $8,000

Johnny Bedford: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
vs. Marcos Vinicius: $8,000

Mike Pyle: $78,000 (includes $39,000 win bonus)
vs. James Head: $12,000

Main Card

Dustin Poirier: $34,000 (includes $17,000 win bonus)
vs. Jonathan Brookins: $20,000

Patrick Barry: $44,000 (includes $22,000 win bonus)
vs. Shane Del Rosario: $20,000

Colton Smith: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
vs. Mike Ricci: $8,000

Roy Nelson: $48,000 (includes $24,000 win bonus)
vs. Matt Mitrione: $12,000

The two bolds boggle the mind.

[REDDzone]

^ Soooo much risk in that though. I would have to think that even if you're a budding superstar, slugging it out in the TUF house is the best career move you can make.

Agreed...but NOT if the ufc isn't giving those guys automatic roster spots anymore. That's what I was trying to say earlier.

[blkout]

They have to stop letting guys compete in TUF when they're moving up or down in weight to do it. I know there's been some success stories but I mean they pick the weight divisions purely to try and bolster the amount of talent in them via TUF, now the two "best" guys from this series aren't even going to fight at that weight division.

[Jasen777]

they pick the weight divisions purely to try and bolster the amount of talent in them via TUF

That may not be much of a consideration for most seasons. TUF fighters dropping classes is a long-standing tradition (Florian from season 1 has the record I believe), so if they are trying to reinforce a division maybe they should have the TUF be for the division above what they want.

[CPT]

I don't know how many fighters are that realistic about their ability.

Maybe it's just a front they have to put on, but every guy on the show thinks they are going to win. I doubt anyone goes in thinking 'well, as long as I win a fight, I'll probably get a fight on the finale, and then a spot in the UFC.

[REDDzone]

Well one worst case scenario is a ufc roster spot (or at least one fight), the other worst case scenario if you have to be inactive in your career for however many months while the show is going on and then while the show is airing. But yea, maybe that isn't a consideration for some.

[SDM]

Also the medical team is probably one reason why fighters go there, even potentially turning down other offers, to simply be TUF fodder. If you're young, broke, and banged up, it makes sense to try to get in the house. There's usually a guy or two every year who "has" to have surgery after their fight to get in the house. I would imagine UFC pays for that.