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ROUNDTABLE: Who would you like to see in the Ultimate Fighter house for the rumored “All-Stars” season featuring welterweight fighters?

November 29, 2016

C.M. Punk (photo credit Jayne Kamin-Oncea © USA Today Sports)

Who would you like to see in the Ultimate Fighter house for the rumored “All-Stars” season featuring welterweight fighters?

MATTHEW PETERSON, MMATorch contributor

I was against the idea of All-Stars until I remembered season 4 of TUF and how Matt Serra would actually go on to upset George St. Pierre and win the title as one of the biggest underdogs in MMA history.  Welterweight has long been one of the most competitive divisions in the UFC and there are so many fighters that could be placed into the tournament for a title shot.  Jorge Masvidal, Jake Ellenberger, Matt Brown, Lorenz Larkin.  My mind begins to wander as I think about all the underrated 170 pounders out there, so I’ll just go on record stating that whoever gets in, I’ll be watching.

CHRIS KING, MMATorch contributor

First off, if they are going to do an “All-Star” season, they really should go out and get stars. Please, please do not have a house full of Ramsey Nijem, who while good fighters are not stars. Perhaps Dana White could swallow his pride and get Ben Askren in? Sure, there seems more chance of hell freezing over, but a man can dream. Other people I would love to see in the house would be Paul Daley, Michael Page, Mike Pearce  (seriously, why doesn’t any organization have this man on their roster)? Add to them Jake Shields, Diego Lima, and Jason Jackson. Now that would be a cast that would get me excited! It won’t, so I’m not.

ROBERT VALLEJOS, MMATorch contributor

With all the renewed talk of Georges St-Pierre returning to the UFC, why not have a season full of fighters under 40 who GSP defeated during his title reign with the winner earning a shot at GSP in his return fight? Think about the dynamics of a season that includes Johny Hendricks, Nick Diaz, Carlos Condit, Jake Shields, Josh Koscheck, Dan Hardy (if cleared), and Thiago Alves. Many of these guys were never the same after losing to GSP. Some like Koscheck and Shields are no longer in the UFC, while others like Hardy, Condit, and Hendricks are on the verge of retirement. If they are going to turn this thing into a gimmick, they might as well go all the way.

ADAM TINDAL, MMATorch contributor

I know good and well this will never happen, but if it does, just give me some Nick Diaz. The only two brothers in UFC history to win the TUF tournament has a nice ring to it.

FRANK HYDEN, MMATorch contributor

I guess you could have some of the top guys in the division in the house, but it would be really weird, to be honest. Does a guy like Demian Maia belong in the house? What about Donald Cerrone? Carlos Condit? It would be beyond bizarre to see those guys fighting on The Ultimate Fighter, but how could you call it “All-Stars” without them? Or guys of a similar stature? I don’t know, I think this whole thing is just too weird for me to imagine.

MICHAEL HISCOE, MMATorch contributor

UFC has a two issues that this season can address. First, they need to get people to watch The Ultimate Fighter. Second, C.M. Punk is not a UFC caliber fighter, but he’s under contract and he’s too valuable to send to the competition. The simple solution is you put him in that house and give him one more chance. As proven through the Kimbo Slice season, they’ll be guaranteed at least two big ratings by putting him in the house. One for his first (and maybe only) in-house fight and one more for the finale. If he loses both, he’s damaged enough where you can afford to let him go.  I think you use past TUF cast members who haven’t seen a lot of success but are still in the game and use them as supporting players. Perhaps Punk can win against one of them. We’d be talking about guys like Joe Stevenson, Mike Ricci, and DaMarques Johnson. Outside of Punk, I can’t imagine any name UFC fighters, current or former, being willing to take part in the season. I’m not sure Punk would be interested, but perhaps he would for the opportunity to compete.
NOW CHECK OUT PREVIOUS ROUNDTABLE TOPICS HERE. 

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