“TUF: The Smashes” Settles On Two Weight Classes

[Rich Davie]

By Jamie McAllister

The UFC recently announced the second international version of The Ultimate Fighter and that it would be the UK vs. Australia.

The series has been dubbed The Smashes – A play on the 130 year old cricket rivalry.

When announced the range of applicants for the show was set for fighters between 135 and 170.

The UFC has now decided on two weight classes that the show will be contested. The Smashes will feature welterweights (170 pounds) and lightweights (155 pounds), The news comes from Marshall Zelaznik, the UFC’s director of international development.

Applicants will soon be receiving e-mails detailing where to try out.

“Australia and the UK have a fierce, long-standing rivalry, and where better to settle the score than in the UFC’s Octagon,” Zelaznik commented to MMAWeekly.

http://bjpenn.com/mmanews/2012/06/03...ews-27977.html

[BluenoseGreig]

Seriously, more lightweights? I had thought some more from the 135 division would have been best but I suppose they can only use what they have most of that apply.

[Drock]

they need heavy weights and light heavy weights way worse

[BluenoseGreig]

Absolutely, those are the 2 weight classes most in need of some depth.

[BluenoseGreig]

Just seen a tweet from Hector Lombard giving Dana a shout on an Aussie 155er called Jai Bradley, is this a sign that Lombard may be coaching this season????

[Dirty Daley]

lombard seems like a great idea! he has to get past stann first. i agree that this should have been lhw and hw. the u.k is abit short on hw guy's so maybe thats what it is. the uk has some good lhw guy's.

[Dirty Daley]

here's a list of hw guy's who could have made the show-

heavyweight

ben smith
james thompson
neil grove
mark godbeer (bellator now)
mark potter
jay mortimore
chris petrie

light heavy weight

jimi manuwa
Tom Blackledge
lanus jones
nick chapman
kevin thompson
anthony taylor
linton vassell

that is the list of guy's making a push. it looks like bellator snapped up a gooden in godbeer. there is still ben smith left and darren towler.

[Dirty Daley]

ufc should really snap under contract stav econamou. he is only short for a hw but the guy has a chin of steel and brings it every time. he reminds me of cabbage correria but with skill.

[BluenoseGreig]

I'm pretty sure when Jimi Manuwa eventually fights in the UFC he won't have the need to go through TUF seeing as he has already knocked them back twice before! He will be quite a prospect when he does eventually make the move. BAMMA seems to be non existant just now, no news of the next event, so I'm expecting an exodus of all the guys from there soon.

[Kickass32]

205'rs should've been the logical choice for the show...I would have done 205 and 185 myself.