I totally agree with you about moving forwards than backwards, but like I said, TV is much different than PPV. This is a total TV move.

If it was Hughes/Gracie as rumored, that would’ve made great TV too, but not necessarily moving forward. Charisma and star power are far more important on TV. On PPV, you can make a star if a young fighter upsets a star. You can’t get that star making performance as easily on TV.

Though, I’d love GSP and Koscheck. You could do it because GSP would carry the show. And Koscheck would have to turn up his assholeness up a few degrees. You’re saying he doesn’t have to do it and just has to be Josh Koscheck? Ok, I agree. Ha!

I just want to see the UFC move forward rather than move backward which is what this move seems like to me.

The upside is I think the 185 talent should be good if any of the rumored participants are involved. Plus after some embarrassing showings by heavyweights, the middleweights should bring more excitement into the Octagon with them.

With Jones, I think his next move has to bring him out of prospect mode and into main card guy. A fight against Luis Arthur Cane could be intriguing.

Thus, TV is a completely different business than PPV. Tito and Chuck will draw better ratings than all of seasons 1, 3, and 10. And that’s all that Spike cares about.

And let’s be real about the Tito number. Some of it is that the UFC just killed his image. They didn’t include any of his fights in their Top 100 even though he was their biggest star for two years and was bigger than both Randy and Chuck. Dana White continued to kill him in the media. They killed their own golden goose.

It’s also a fight that wasn’t designed to be the main event, and was put together late in the game. Thus, they hadn’t really hyped it well. And also, what responsibility does Forrest have in drawing the terrible buyrate? He was man-handled in two straight fights before this one.

So let’s not all blame this on Tito. He should take some of the responsibility for deceiving folks into thinking he was bigger, better, and stronger, but that’s not all the reason as to why people didn’t come out in droves. The UFC put on a free show headlined by an aging fighter who got somewhat of a gift decision the week before and followed it up with literally the same story a week later and asked people to buy it. Is it really any surprise that this number died?

Again, I agree with both you and Ryan in that, if all was equal, they should utilize some of their up and coming stars on this show, but they can’t put two guys on the show just because they want one to break out. If their ratings start to die, it hurts them in whatever next TV deal they want. And also, it hurts their negotiating power on other deals they have.

As for Jones, like I said, they could put him back with Hamill in what seems like would be a UFC move. They could put him with Franklin, but if Franklin wins, where does Jones go? And if he beats Franklin, oh well, so have Hendo and Vitor. It’s a decent stepping stone, but not necessarily one that could pay off as well enough for the risk. Franklin is just technical enough as a striker to catch Jones when he’s doing his goofy stuff.

Tito-Liddell means nothing in the long term. Its not even an interesting fight really. No matter who wins, neither guy is going to challenge in the UFC again. The loser gets his third straight loss and becomes cannon fodder for better fighters or retires again.

As for Jones-Franklin, it is a huge step but what other options are there? Hamill fought Franklin after beating Tim Boetsch, a comparable jump so there is precedent. Plus Franklin is one of the few non-booked 205′ers and I think the UFC would be wise to get Jones back into the octagon quickly.

But Spike TV and the UFC have a great relationship. If the UFC went to Spike and said, “Hey, what about Koscheck?” they’d go, “Hmm, sure, how’s GSP’s adductor muscle?” And then if they said, “No, with Alves,” they’d go, “Um, you’re joking right?”

TV is all about ratings. Spike TV would never allow them to do that.

But I thought the coaches this season were gonna be Tito and Foresst, so what do I know?

You can’t put Koscheck or Alves on a show like TUF. Nor could you put Sanchez vs. Florian, unless Sanchez gets over.

The reason is because though the higher percentage of the UFC revenues comes from PPV and gate, TV is the reason why they are able to make so much money. Spike TV is one master and you have to utilize it all that you can. If you are building some of these kids up, the best way to get them exposure is to use your current stars. At the end of the game, this is prize fighting. You’re not booking for entertaining fights. You’re booking to create stories and make stars.

Liddell/Tito does 600,000 PPV buys minimum if promoted correctly. It’s Chuck’s comeback fight and he’s only going to have one. Neither of the two fights is a main event fight today and you’re not going to make it a main event by forcing them into TUF.

I was really pulling for Koscheck vs Thiago Alves or Sanchez-Florian. Keep with the alumni theme and build up the star of some of these younger guys.

There is no need for a rematch though. Jones was clearly the better fighter and will continue moving up the 205 ladder. The ending was unfortunate but it changes nothing really.

Set him up against Franklin on a maincard; UFC 109 could use another fight. I’m sure Rich Franklin is willing to fight and Jones probably is too. He left the ring without a scratch on him.

If not, put him on the UFC 111 card in NJ so I can see the kid fight in person.