The Ultimate Fighter 8

The Ultimate Fighter 8 – Season Preview

On September 17th, 2008, The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) returns to Spike TV with season 8. 32 fighters have been chosen to battle one another for the top spot and a chance to earn a lucrative UFC contract. As in previous seasons, the fighters will be divided into 2 teams, each led by a UFC veteran fighter. They will live in the same house, forging friendships, alliances and bitter enemies. In the end, all fighters must come to blows on the road to victory and UFC stardom.

Cast And Coaches

Season 8 includes fighters in 2 weight classes: light heavyweight (186-205 lb.) and lightweight (146-155 lb.). The last time TUF fans were treated to lightweight contenders was during the series’ fifth season. Now, they’re back. While the initial cast boasts 32 formidable MMA experts, the group will be trimmed to 16 by the end of the first episode. Among the finalists are John Polakowski (a long-time World Extreme Cagefighting competitor), Lance Evans (an undefeated fighter from Rage in the Cage) and Vinicius Magalhaes, a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

The fighters will be split into 2 teams. The first team will be led by MMA legend Frank Mir, a former UFC heavyweight champion. The second team will train under Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, the interim UFC heavyweight champion known for his devastating striking style.

While Mir is a ferocious combatant, many fans expect Nogueira’s master of judo, boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to prove invaluable for his team. Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida will join Team Nogueira as assistant coaches, offering a useful blend of fighting styles. Mir will be joined by Robert Drysdale (a jiu-jitsu expert and 2007 champion of the Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling World) and Rafael Alejarra as assistant coaches.

What’s In Store

Fans can expect Season 8 to progress much like previous seasons. Fighters on each team will participate in physically demanding challenges. Then, they’ll square off in the ring, each seeking to pummel the other fighters, thereby eliminating them from the cast. As the ranks of fighters dwindle through the season, teammates will be turned on one another as they vie for the UFC contract. After the season finale, coaches Mir and Nogueira will enter the Octagon for a highly-anticipated UFC heavyweight championship fight.

TUF continues the tradition of bringing flamboyant personalities, brutal fights, and excitement to the screen. It begins September 17th, 2008 on Spike TV.