Anatomy of "The Ultimate Fighter" Fight

by: DarthMolen 2 years, 3 months, 10 hours, 5 minutes ago 2

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Some of the ppl on the Internet are complaining that the fight was too boring. A guild member of mine (I play World of Warcraft) even messaged me and said how boring the fight was and not to bother. This made me want to see the Tivo’ed episode even more. After watching the episode in question, I don’t agree with them. The fighting was technically sound and I think it was the best of all the TUF prelims that have been shown to-date. These were highly skilled professionals and they moved like it. I think that there a couple factors that are leading people towards this conclusion.

Lighting

Lighting really lend itself towards the atmosphere and help play up fights. I was surprised how much this was painfully true watching the TUF4 ep. 1 bout. These guys were moving like seasoned professionals but because there was no specific lighting (other than regular ambient flourescent), their movements and even the fighters themselves seemed smaller and not quite as “grand”.

All the wrestling federations know this and if you watch their bouts, they are always filled with pomp, circumstance, lighting, fireworks, smoke effect, and more lighting. UFC knows this, just watch their PPV and prime-time TV fights. Why can’t they apply some of these same principals to these TUF bouts. I am DEFINITELY not saying they should totally play these up but why can’t they at least provide decent effect lighting (emphasized arena, dim seating area)

Crowd and Sounds

They always seem to have pathetic crowds in the practice center for the bouts. Crowds are definitely needed because they convey energy. I know that the production schedule might prohibit it along with the need for secrecy. If I were producing this, I would be drawing every Tom, Dick, and Harry to the bout that works for the UFC and set them up on the front rows with the appropriate lighting to make it look more epic. Also, they provide a sound track post-production, but wouldn’t it be nice if they used one on-set to help the miniscule crowd really get into the entrances of the combatants?

Professional Precision

There was no over-exxagerated movement in the last bout because these guys are professionals. Over-exxageration helps to make something look like it has power and a move look “epic”, but in reality does not deliver the power needed to finish a real fight. WWE is a great example of this principal.

Professional fighters are clinical and quick. The lack of atmospheric lighting de-emphasized their already clinical moves and made them look like they weren’t really doing anything when in fact, everything was precise and controlled at just the right speed for knock-out power. I could tell just by watching Shonie’s kicks land on Rich’s ribs and him wincing in pain. Rich was also throwing very technical submissions in there and Shonie was just as proficient avoiding them which made it appear like a stalemate but just went to show how technically proficient these fighters are.

Don’t be fooled. They were both throwing bombs and there was plenty of action to be had. I much prefer technical expertise on the side of both partners than to watch two amateurs throwing haymakers and hitting nothing (which was the gripe about previous TUF fights).

Conclusion

I am totally looking forward to the rest of TUF4. If I had to change anything about the points above, I would pick the lighting. It’s a simple thing but I think it would make the bouts much more entertaining in the end. Entertainment is the goal and hopefully they can achieve that. Regardless, I will revel in the professional precision of the bouts that are to come while more complain that they want haymakers and “action” that they can’t seem to define.