BENTONVILLE — It's a bold statement for sure, but this 10th season of the UFC's hit reality series on Spike TV should make major stars out of coach Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and fighter Kimbo Slice.
For those who don't know, Ultimate Fighter puts 16 men in a house in Las Vegas with no TV or Internet or personal time on the strip, and lots of cameras that film them being bored and beating the whooha out of each other while trying to earn a six-figure contract with the UFC. The men are split into two teams and are coached by UFC fighters who will also fight each other at the end of the season.
In past seasons, the contestants were a lot of 20 somethings that had major chips on there shoulders and issues with binge drinking. This season features all heavyweights including several former NFL players along with former International Fight League heavyweight champion Roy Nelson. The men this season seem a little more mature and way more focused on winning the contract.
Come for the fighting, but stay for the word-play between Jackson, opposing coach Rashad Evans and the fighters.
Jackson was full of fantastic one-liners and had great fun taking shots at some the heavier and poorly conditioned combatants. He and Evans were also smacktalking each other at every opportunity.
All of this goes back to my love of the great pro wrestling promos of the past. Jackson and Evans may not really hate each other, and they are obviously playing it up for the cameras, but it's still awesome because you know all the talking will eventually lead to real smacks in the Octagon.
This show's not for everybody. The fight Wednesday night was "horror movie" gross. The guy that lost had a gash near his hairline that could have doubled as a cup holder. And the blood didn't just pool, it puddled.
And some of what Jackson said was a little too personal. But still funny.
And judging from the clips of upcoming shows, Jackson lives up to his name.
One highlight showed him destroying a wooden door with his bare hands. The man's nickname is Rampage, not Even Tempered.
And then there's Kimbo.
The dude looks to be in fantastic shape and can hit like a mule kick. But once he's taken to the ground, it's pretty much over. Still, he's got one of the greatest looks in the fighting game.
My oldest daughter Bailey said when she saw him fighting on CBS last year that she thought he looked like a nightmare version of Shel Silverstein.
And he has a lot to prove. When he was bare-knuckle fighting street toughs and hobos at backyard barbecues, he was unstoppable.
But last year a pink-haired kickboxer knocked him out in 14 seconds and the bloom fell of the rose.
Kimbo may never bethe greatest MMA fighter, or for that matter even good, but he's a character.
And it's somethingthis sport desperately needs. The guys all pretty much look alike - shorthair and crazy tattoos. It's almost like the tats are issued to you once you sign the contract.
Kimbo will bring in more casual fans, which is a good thing. The sport can't grow with a viewership consisting only of hardcore fight snobs. It needs slobs like me that enjoy a good fight, good promos and entertaining people. It's not a lot to ask and in the end it will mean more money for the fighters. Which is also a good thing.
The fight between Jackson and Evans had to be rescheduled because Jackson landed the part of B.A. Baracus - the role that made Mr. T a household name - in the A-Team movie.
UFC President Dana White is not cool with it, but it appears to be a done deal.
As long as the fight happens between Jackson and Evans, I don't care if Rampage takes Mickey Rooney's role in the remake of Pete's Dragon. The A-Team movie is a big budget Hollywood film that will bring tons of notoriety to Jackson and ultimately the UFC.
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Chad Eiler is a page designer for the Daily Record and is unstoppable at backyard barbecues.
He can be reached at [email protected]. The opinions are those of the writer.
Entertainment, Pages 11 on 09/20/2009