TUF 22 Discussion * Team McGregor vs. Team Faber

[lambyUK]

Thus far it seems McGregor isn't a coach.

 

I'm sure this isn't a new thing for TUF though. Can anyone recall what season or coach it was who basically brought in his coaches and just took part in the sessions?

[David]

 

Thus far it seems McGregor isn't a coach.

 

I'm sure this isn't a new thing for TUF though. Can anyone recall what season or coach it was who basically brought in his coaches and just took part in the sessions?

 

 

Have we ever seen anyone react so poorly to a relatively untested fighter caving under pressure though? The way the editors basically focused in on McGregor, showing a close-up of his face during the fight was pretty poor in my opinion.

[Dead Mike]

In fairness to Conor he made it pretty clear from the first episode he had no intention of getting involved with his 'team' & he doesn't seem overly enthused to be involved. This is a payday.

 

This isn't necessarily a sleight on him or a bad thing. On that Rogan podcast Rousey said her season of TUF was the worst moment of her UFC career & she hated every minute. I imagine Uncle Dana asked them both for a favour in the hope of injecting some ratings into their flagging show & they obliged.

[Egg Shen]

just watched 2 & 3 back to back, i think it's been quality so far. That Sasha/Gritz fight was gripping due to that fact that i'd hope Sasha would actually get up to stop Conor flipping again. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with how Conor (i tend to lean toward agree) reacted it made for some gripping viewing, and it's great to see some passion in there.

 

I did love the shot of Dana leaving with Conor after the fight too. Best mates off discussing what went wrong, it just looked like Dana sucking up to Conor.

 

oh, and Ryan Hall may be the most interesting guy they've had on the show in a while. I love a specialist and he's clearly got one on the ground, it's just next level stuff and he's so unassuming (and a little bit weird), TUF needs these kinds of people. I didn't notice Hall's name on the original cast list, i've always seen Ryan Hall instructionals pop up online though.

 

Season's looking good for me.

[Ghostface1982]

Hall is awesome, as soon as I saw his name in the cast I had him down as at least a finalist. Everyone is expecting leglocks from him but Its his triangle chokes they need to be watching for!

[Egg Shen]

4th episode was good again, McGregor's team control. Again, the focus on the coaches during the fights make the fights really engaging for me. It's great watching and seeing if guys respond to instruction.

 

Conor apologised on camera about the way he spoke to Sasha. The talk continued on from last week, again it was harsh but i actually agreed with Conor's viewpoint maybe not the way he delivered it but i thought he was spot on in his assessment.

 

The banter between McGregor and Faber it coninues, it's light hearted stuff but it's fun to watch. Enjoying it.

[Chunk]

This isn't necessarily a sleight on him or a bad thing. On that Rogan podcast Rousey said her season of TUF was the worst moment of her UFC career & she hated every minute. I imagine Uncle Dana asked them both for a favour in the hope of injecting some ratings into their flagging show & they obliged.

 

Can't find the interview now, but there's one out there where Conor basically confirms exactly that.

[icke83]

Surely they are still obliged to do as their employer asks (to a degree) though?

[David]

Thing is, TUF is what it is these days. I don't think Lesnar, Rousey or McGregor make a huge difference to that, so why ask them to do something they don't want to? 

 

Faber is clearly in his element, which is fine, but they should have stuck with the fight camp thing I think. The show isn't going to become popular again no matter what they do, so why tie up active fighters in it all?

[Egg Shen]

im assuming McGregor is getting a fair wedge for taking part.

 

I don't see why they can't tweak the format though. I think the format still works if you have the right people involved (and its working for me so far this season) but there's a lot of other stuff they could do.

 

A point worth mentioning is though, are the new MMA fans brought in by McGregor only seeing TUF now for the first time? it'd be interesting to see how those kinds of fans think of the show.

[Supremo]

Conor and Faber being opposing coaches has certainly brought me back. Had it continued being Camp vs. Camp I'd have likely never watched it again.

[David]

Conor and Faber being opposing coaches has certainly brought me back. Had it continued being Camp vs. Camp I'd have likely never watched it again.

 

Despite the fact that there is zero intensity between them? In fact, if anything, they've been nice to each other. Faber bought McGregor flip flops to welcome him to California, didn't he? Maybe this week we'll get footage of them having a nice dinner, going to see a movie or something?

 

It's been the usual shite, just like it was when Lesnar was a coach. 

 

Switch McGregor and his no-name coaches out for Bang Ludwig and you'd have my interest. That shit between him and Faber is a real feud based on money, lies and a genuine dislike of each other, not the fabricated nonsense we get from Conor with virtually every fucker he ever talks about.

[Supremo]

Yeah, I'm thoroughly enjoying the dynamic between Urijah and Conor thus far. It's been great. Gently taking the piss out of each other's appearance every time they stand together, but then the cracks are already showing where you can tell the jibes are starting to cut a little deep. Urijah is clearly uncomfortable with all the talk of TJ being a snake in the grass and now Faber also has his own ammo with Conor not showing up for morning practices seemingly making a difference in the competition. I care about both coaches, I care about the teams and I care about the show. That hasn't been the case in ages.

 

EDIT: Also, because I can't resist pointing out when you're being contrary for the sake of it; the Lesnar season that you're now describing as the, "usual shit," was actually a season you vehemently defended at the time. Plus, back when everyone hated the first episode of this season you were defending it and saying the bickering between Conor and Urijah looked great. And yet now people are enjoying it you've decided it's fabricated nonsense? Which is it? Check it out:

 

As I said in the other thread...

 

I also liked the bit at the end where both Faber and McGregor are just standing against a wall, looking as though they're waiting to go into the principals office. The exchange was classic;

 

Faber- You not wearing your high heels today man?

 

McGregor - No, I got these shoes made from "Pyton" on today. I hunted it down myself, you know?

 

Faber - Oh. I don't think we have "Pytons" in America.

 

I've completely about-turned! I think this season could be fantastic!

You don't always have to have a different opinion to everyone else, you know? It's okay, honestly. It must be tiring constantly having to change your stances to make sure you're not seen to be part of the masses.

[David]

What you're failing to recognise is that, and I've said this on numerous occasions, I enjoy the usual shit when it comes to TUF. There's been many a time on here when most are rubbishing the tired format that I'll say I still watch it religiously, mainly because of the fights. Fuck, I even watch the obscure non-English Japanese, Mexican and Brazilian shows!

 

I don't really care for the fabricated tongue in cheek feuds that you seem to love so much, and the stuff between McGregor and Faber is the usual shite, isn't it?

 

Remember when you were all disappointed in the Sonnen/Jones TUF? When you thought Chael was going to be "awesome" and he really wasn't? Or when Lesnar was going to be great as well? This show is going down the same road, and I doubt the "cracks" will amount to much if the past is anything to go by. TJ's a snake in the grass? Conor doesn't show up to morning training? That's the kind of stuff that cuts deep? Really?

 

Nah, not for me I'm afraid. It's been more funny than anything else. Faber taking the piss out of McGregor's accent, McGregor taking the piss out of Faber's appearance.

 

The fights have been good, and the Europe/USA dimension is interesting. 

 

To be honest my main reason for watching the show is to see if anyone can stop Ryan Hall from tying them in knots.

 

 

[Supremo]

Yeah, I reckon the TJ thing cut very fucking deep. Every time Conor has brought it up, both on the show and in that (awesome) interview they did together with Florian and Stann, Faber has always looked like he wanted to curl up and die.

 

Plus, you know, TJ just announced that he's left the team about half an hour ago, so if you needed any further evidence that it was a sore subject then the timing couldn't have been better.

 

I'm interested to see what the show is like when TJ eventually shows up. I also think Conor may have let slip on yesterday's MMA Hour that his team mount some type of comeback because he kept telling fans to keep watching when attempting to defend his coaching methods.

 

Coaches don't have to (legit~!) hate each other to make a season enjoyable. They don't even have to particularly fabricate hatred, although it doesn't make any difference to me whatsoever if it's fabricated or not. It just needs to be entertaining and interesting, which this season is. Both guys get it, and are entertaining to watch. If you honestly believe Ludwig could do a better job and be a better TV personality than Conor McGregor then I don't even know what to say. There's a reason a quarter of the screen is almost always dedicated to Conor's face during the fights. It's because he's the most charismatic, interesting, entertaining guy they've ever had on their roster. He's the best, whether he's fabricating or not. His involvement has improved this show immensely. Last I heard the ratings had improved about 25% over the last season. Had they continued down the Faceless Camp vs. Faceless Camp route ratings would have probably dropped by 25% if not more.