After years of failed attempts at a female version of a fighting reality show, the UFC will finally do an “Ultimate Fighter” featuring women.
UFC President Dana White announced that bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey will coach one team, while the winner of #9 ranked Cat Zingano and #4 ranked Miesha Tate at the “Ultimate Fighter” finale April 13 will be the other coach.
The new season will be composed of female and male bantamweights. Tryouts are set for April 15 in Vegas.
I think there’s a danger in going this route. If the prior male versions are any indication, this season of TUF won’t fill out the 135 lb division. Because of the quick fight turnaround, competitors typically enter a higher weight class than they would normally. Look at how often TUF competitors drop weight classes after the season is done. We constantly hear that cutting weight is different for females, so I’m much more inclined to believe that the entrants will likely be far better suited to the 115 and 125 lb divisions that don’t currently exist in the UFC. The established bantamweights will have these new ladies for lunch.
Although I am expecting some 125ers to move up, feel that true 135ers will be in this season because there is no other way to get into the UFC now. Figuring it is Shayna Baszler’s for the taking if she wants it, unless Sheila Bird decides to try out.
Then how will they handle the inevitable missed weight cuts? They would almost be better off holding all the women’s matches as catch weight bouts to take into account the women who cut from higher weights. Even Ronda doesn’t walk around at 135 for 6 weeks at a time.
The guys have the same prob, but remember they are working out 8 hours a day for those 6 weeks. Only problem will be when they retain water during a certain time of the month.
Yes, the guys do have the same problem, which is why they typically compete on the show at a higher weight class than they would normally. I’m too lazy to actively seek out how many of them have dropped at least one weight class after the show, but it’s a significant majority, which is why I feel this won’t really fill out the 135 division at all.