UFC Hall of Famer discusses importance of top fighters coaching earlier seasons of TUF: "Put a lot of eyes on the actual show"
A UFC Hall of Famer recently discussed the importance that top fighters had on the success of the earlier seasons of 'The Ultimate Fighter'. The show premiered on Spike TV in 2005 and helped the UFC gain more exposure and popularity, while also creating new stars.
The inaugural season was a last-ditch effort by Dana White and the UFC brass to turn things around as the promotion had been struggling financially. Chuck Liddell and then light heavyweight champion Randy Couture, who were rivals, served as opposing coaches in order to generate interest and build up their eventual rematch.
While speaking to Ringside News, Ken Shamrock discussed the importance of having star fighters like Liddell and Couture, and later himself and Tito Ortiz participating on the show as coaches. The Hall of Famer mentioned that it brought more attention and exposed the audience to fighters like Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar. He said:
"Without having guys like me and Tito [Ortiz] and others like Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture, and all those guys that came in after us for [TUF] to be successful...So for us to have that during that time put a lot of eyes on the actual show that was happening. And then when you had that fight with Stephan Bonnar [and Griffin]...It was an incredible fight. That opened the doors up wide open."
Check out Ken Shamrock's comments below:
Which season of TUF did UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock coach?
UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock served as an opposing coach against his bitter rival Tito Ortiz on season 3 of 'The Ultimate Fighter'.
The rivalry between Shamrock and Ortiz was well documented and the former Superfight champion wanted to avenge his loss against 'The Huntington Beach Bad Boy'. Their rivalry brought plenty of mainstream attention to the promotion and helped generate strong ratings for Spike TV.
Aside from winning the coaches' challenge, Ortiz won the bragging rights over Shamrock as his pupils Michael Bisping and Kendall Grove won their respective divisions.
Check out Ken Shamrock and Tito Ortiz's interaction on TUF below: