Ultimate Fighter Season 15 LIVE Discussion, Rumors & Results

[Keithlewis]

[Keithlewis]

FIELD FINALIZED FOR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED PREMIERE OF THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER LIVE ON FX ON FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2012


First of Two 13-Week Seasons This Year on FX; Special Premiere Event to Showcase 16 LIVE Fights - Dominick Cruz, Urijah Faber Named Coaches


A talented international field of 32 confident, dedicated and determined fighters has been set for THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER® LIVE on FX that begins on Friday, March 9, with a special two-and-a-half-hour LIVE premiere airing at 9 PM ET/8 PM CT, and tape-delayed on the Pacific and Mountain time zones at 9 PM PT/10 PM MT.

The list of finalists was trimmed from more than 500 prospective entrants from around the world. Those seeking to cash in on the opportunity of a lifetime include fighters in the lightweight (155 pounds) division from the United States, England, Northern Ireland and Brazil.

The inaugural season of THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER LIVE on FX will run for 13 consecutive weeks, featuring live fights every episode, and culminate with a championship fight on June 1, in a three-hour finale. Following the eagerly anticipated premiere on its new home, the series will remain on Fridays but move to 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) for 12 weeks. (Telecasts of TUF Live will air live nationally on DirecTV ch. 248 and DISH-Channel ch. 136.)

As part of The Ultimate Fighting Championship®’s landmark deal with FOX Sports Media Group, FX will also televise a second 13-week season of THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER LIVE this summer. There will be two 13-week seasons of THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER LIVE on FX annually for the next seven years. The eventual winner of each season receives a six-figure contract from the UFC.

The 13 weeks of taping are more than twice as long as previous TUF seasons (six). Unlike past editions when each season was taped months in advance of its broadcast, new episodes with live fights will now air each week.


There will be 16 live fights on March 9. The competitors are:

Akbarh Arreloa, Chula Vista, Calif.
Al Iaquinta, Wantagh, N.Y.
Ali Maclean, Belfast, North Ireland
Andy Ogle, Tynemouth, England
Austin Lyons, Cordova, Tenn.
Brendan Weafer, New York, N.Y.
Chris Tickle, Bloomington, Ill.
Cody Pfister, Amarillo, Texas
Cristiano Marcello, Curitiba, Brazil
Chase Hackett, Littleton, Colo.
Chris Saunders, Long Beach, Calif.
Dakota Cochrane, Omaha, Neb.
Daron Cruickshank, Wayne, Mich.
Drew Dober, Omaha, Neb.
Erin Beach, San Diego, Calif.
James Krause, Blue Springs, Mich.
James Vick, Fort Worth, Texas
Jared Carlsten, Los Angeles, Calif.
Jeff Smith, Mechanicsburg, Penn.
Jeremy Larsen, Phoenix, Ariz.
Joe Proctor, Pembroke, Mass.
John Cofer, Hull, Ga.
Johnavan Vistante, Pearl City, Hawaii
Jon Tuck, Hagtna, Guam
Jordan Rinaldi, Matthews, N.C.
Justin Lawrence, Villa Ridge, Mo.
Mark Glover, Liverpool, England
Michael Chiesa, Spokane Valley, Wash.
Myles Jury, San Diego, Calif.
Mike Rio, Miami, Fla.
Sam Sicilia, Spokane Valley, Wash.
Vinc Pichel, Sherman Oaks, Calif.


The previously announced coaches for the two teams will be current UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz and former WEC featherweight champion and current top contender, Urijah Faber. Cruz and Faber are no strangers to each other. The popular UFC superstars and rivals have split two previous fights and will clash for a third time at UFC 148 on July 7 in Las Vegas.

Following the live fights during the series premiere episode, or “Fight In,” the field will be halved. The 16 survivors will then be broken up into two teams of eight. Each team will train with each other and reside in a house together in Las Vegas for the duration of the season. One fighter from each team will be selected by their coach to fight at the end of each weekly installment on FX for the right to advance in the competition and, ultimately, perhaps, be crowned THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER LIVE Champion and earn the life-changing contract with the UFC.

Said UFC President Dana White, “We’re producing ground-breaking television with THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER LIVE and we can’t wait to kick this season off with FX. It’s going to be can’t-miss TV. Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber are two amazing guys who also happen to be two of the best fighters in the world. They genuinely dislike each other and I expect this to make for the best season yet.”

“We believe that Dana, (UFC Chairman) Lorenzo Fertitta and (Executive Producer) Craig Piligian have come up with exciting new changes to the format of THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER LIVE that will expand and grow the series,” said Chuck Saftler, Executive Vice President, FX Networks. “The fact that the fight at the end of every episode will now be televised live is certain to create a sense of urgency for UFC fans and will make the series even more compelling.”

Many of today’s most recognizable names in Mixed Martial Arts have emerged from the series’ previous incarnation, The Ultimate Fighter, including, among many others, Rashad Evans, Kenny Florian, Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar.

So who will be the first champion on THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER LIVE on FX?

Stay tuned.

For more show information, bios, videos and photos, visit ultimatefighter.com.

[ArmyofDarkness]

Just looking at the list and Myles Jury's name stands out as the favorite.

[Keithlewis]

[Keithlewis]

The Ultimate Fighter premieres tonight on FX with a whole cast of lightweight hopefuls looking to take the first step towards their goal of a UFC contract! This time, they'll be led by heated rivals Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber as they battle live each week to see who will be the next Ultimate Fighter - Special Premiere Event tonight at 9pm on FX!

[Keithlewis]

- 32 Ultimate Fighter contestants were cut in half tonight as 16 fighters were eliminated in special one five minute round fights Live on FX!

- Any fighter who finished their opponent tonight received a $5K bonus check courtesy of UFC Dana White.

- The Ultimate Fighter 15 Live coaches Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber will pick their teams next week!



Here are the elimination fights results:

- Joe Proctor def. Jordan Rinaldi via Submission (guillotine choke) RD. 1 (2:08)

- Cristiano Marcello def. Jared Caristen via Submission (rear-naked choke) RD. 1 (2:43)

- Sam Sicilia def. Erin Beach via KO (punch) RD. 1 (0:08)

- Chris Tickle def. Austin Lyons via KO (punches) - Round 1 (0:24)

- Andy Ogle def. Brendan Weaver via Unanimous Decision (10-9, 10-9, 10-9)

- Vinc Pichel def. Cody Pfister via Submission (rear-naked choke) -RD. 1 (3:39)

- John Cofer def. Mark Glover via Unanimous Decision (10-9, 10-9, 10-9)

- Chris Saunders def. Chase Hackett via Unanimous Decision (10-9, 10-9, 10-9)

- James Vick def. Dakota Cohrane via Split Decision (9-10, 10-9, 10-9)

- Michael Chiesa def. Johnavan Vistante via Submission (rear-naked choke) RD. 1 (2:05)

- Mike Rio def. Ali Maclean via Submission (rear-naked choke) RD. 1 (3:32)

- Justin Lawrence def. James Krause via TKO (punches) RD. 1 (1:25)

- Daron Cruickshank def. Drew Dober via Unanimous Decision (10-9, 10-9, 10-9)

- Jeremy Larsen def. Jeff Smith via Unanimous Decision (10-9, 10-9, 10-9)

- Al Iaquinta def. Jon Tuck via Decision (10-9, 10-9, 10-9)

- Myles Jury def. Akbarh Arreola via Unanimous Decision (10-9, 10-9, 10-9)

[Keithlewis]

FAST-PACED PREMIERE A SUCCESS FOR THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER LIVE ON FX


Unique one round format decided fate of 16 fights; Series resumes next Friday on FX at regular time of 10 p.m. ET/PT



Sixteen of the best unsigned fighters in the world took their first step towards glory Friday night as they won their first round tournament fights in the fast-paced premiere of The Ultimate Fighter Live on FX.

The 32 UFC hopefuls arrived at the famed TUF Gym in Las Vegas ready to fight their way into the final 16, but they were met with a stunning announcement: all first round elimination bouts would consist of a single five-minute round.

The result was some of the most intense, emotional and action-packed bouts in TUF history, including a startling eight-second KO.

In addition, fighters were offered a bonus of $5,000 if they succeeded in scoring a submission or knockout in their fight. A total of $40,000 was handed out.

With the win, the victors now move into The Ultimate Fighter Live House for the next 12 weeks as they continue to compete for a lucrative six-figure contract with the UFC®.

“One round! That’s all we needed tonight. These guys came out and killed it,” said UFC President Dana White. “We have some real tough guys this season and they want it bad. I guess the extra incentive didn’t hurt either.”

Bitter rivals and TUF Live coaches Dominick Cruz – the reigning UFC bantamweight champion - Uriah Faber – the No1 contender - both liked what they saw Friday night.

Cruz said: “We got to see some great action from these guys. They came out and showed us that they wanted it and they wanted it bad. There's a lot of good fighters to choose from and I'm going to build the best team I can.”

Faber said: “My assistant coaches and I have our hands full tonight. There’s a lot of talent this season and I have to weigh what I want and what’s going to help me beat Team Cruz.”


Fighter Thoughts:


Proctor: “I’m pumped. This is the best thing to ever happen to me, so I have no complaints.’’


Marcello: “I feel great. I’m so happy for me, my family, my wife, my kids and the people of Brazil who I know were up and watching. I’m very proud to be here and get the opportunity to be in the house.”


Sicilia: “I came in ready to fight. I trained hard. You saw my fight. I loaded up with the right hand. My life changed in eight seconds, so I am really excited to be here.’’


Tickle: “I’m happy. That was my game plan, to stay in the pocket with him and punch. He was coming forward and I just stayed in the pocket and caught him.’’


Ogle: “I was really excited to be in there. Just the canvas itself felt like no other canvas I had been on. This was a dream come true. It was surreal. I think knowing my Mom watched the fight back in England probably helped me.’’


Pichel: “I feel great. I got my first submission so I feel good about that. He came out strong and was well prepared. It was a little nerve-racking but I started to relax and I did what I had to do.’’


Cofer: “I probably could have been more active, and probably didn’t display my best ability but I guess I controlled it and I won so I am ecstatic. I’m happy with the win and happy to be here.’’


Saunders: “I’m happy with the win but disappointed I didn’t finish. I thought I had the guillotine but he persevered and pulled through it. Still, though, I’m very happy.’’


Vick: “I feel great about the win and I’m in the house. This is a dream come true. It’s the first step.’’


Chiesa: “It wasn’t the way I wanted to win, I like to go there and bang, but I really wanted to secure my spot in the house so I just went out and put the pressure on and got him down.”


Rio: “I wasn’t trying to out-strike him. I was just trying to keep him at a distance because I knew he wanted to wrestle. Overall, I stuck to my game plan and waited for my opportunity. I did everything I needed to do to win this fight and get into the house.’’


Lawrence: I just went in there and had the time of my life. That guy was the favorite and had a lot more fights than me, but stats and records go out the window when you only have five minutes to fight.’’


Cruickshank: “I’m pretty excited. I worked very hard to get here. I’m ready to move on.’’


Larsen: “The most important thing for me tonight was to win and to get in the house. I feel ok about my performance and I’m looking forward to getting this show started.”


Iaquinta: “I worked really hard to get here and I’m happy and relieved to get the victory.”


Jury: “I hadn’t fought in over a year and I feel I fought one of the toughest guys here tonight. But I’m happy with the win. This is only the beginning.’’



Log-on during the season and get the inside scoop through the fighter’s Twitter accounts:


Al Iaquinta - @aliaquinta

Andy Ogle - @thelittleaxe

Cristiano Marcello - @CristianoBJfJ

Chris Saunders - @kidisgood

Chris Tickle - @badboytickle

Daron Cruickshank - @cruickshank155

James Vick - @JamesVickMMA

Jeremy Larsen - @jeremylarsenmma

Joe Proctor - @JoeProctor

John Cofer - @coferpottery

Justin Lawrence - @theamericankidd

Sam Sicilia - @SamSiciliaTUF

Michael Chiesa - @mikemav22

Mike Rio - @mikeriomma

Myles Jury - @FuryJury

Vinc Pichel - @FromHellPichel


For more show information, bios, videos and photos, visit ultimatefighter.com.

[ArmyofDarkness]

I don't know if I am a big fan of the new production value of the show. I am still going with Jury to win the season but I will be keeping an eye on Sam Sicilia.