Dewey's Diva
05-04-2006, 01:19 PM
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/127352
Tough guys may not be tough enough
By Terry Morrow
SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE
The Most Dangerous Man Alive wonders if the new breed of "The Ultimate Fighter" contestants has what it takes.
"It was a tough season for me," says Ken Shamrock, host of the "The Ultimate Fighter" and who, in the ring, is also known as the Most Dangerous Man Alive. "I am used to dealing with guys from the lion's den.
"I am used to guys who have watched me and want to work to get to that level, as opposed to guys who get put on a (reality) show, get total recognition, but have done nothing to deserve it."
Shamrock is among the experts who shepherd 16 mixed martial arts fighters vying for the title of "The Ultimate Fighter." The series began its third season April 6.
Until Spike TV gave the Ultimate Fighting Championship organization its own reality series, most viewers knew of the brawlers only from pay-per-view events. Now, the little-known fighters can boost their careers with TV exposure.
From where Shamrock sits, some of the new fighters coming along are getting fame before they prove their mettle in the ring.
Among this season's fighters are Kristian, a former New Orleans resident who lost it all during Hurricane Katrina; Matt, a 2004 NCAA Division III Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee; Mike, a 34-year-old tattoo artist; Danny, a taekwondo child prodigy; and Michael, a descendent of Polish royalty.
Tattoo artist Mike "came in and gave his all, although he did not have a whole lot of ability. He's a tough guy," Shamrock says.
But for every guy like Mike, there are contestants who don't want to try.
"We have one guy that has no work ethic. He wants it handed to him," Shamrock says. "He could have won the whole thing or been at the top with one other person if he had worked harder."
Shamrock says instant TV exposure can also hurt the caliber of fighters the show is getting.
"You see a lot of guys who love to talk trash and who have been down the road a lot," he says. "They want to build up their own game."
Fans, Shamrock says, don't like that kind of behavior if the fighter hasn't proved himself in the ring.
Such smack talk, however, hasn't hurt the show's ratings. Each season has progressively grown on the audience.
Shamrock, though, sees more fighters showing up unprepared.
"I don't think they understand how much pressure is placed on them on a day-to-day basis," he says. "The first season was interesting, but it didn't show enough about the training. The second season was a little lackluster. This new season will be phenomenal. I think it will blow it off the chart."
Shamrock says that "The Ultimate Fighter" does a good job in showing the work it takes to succeed in the ring. "This show shows that no matter how good you are (in the ring) . . . you have to put work into it to succeed," he adds.
Tough guys may not be tough enough
By Terry Morrow
SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE
The Most Dangerous Man Alive wonders if the new breed of "The Ultimate Fighter" contestants has what it takes.
"It was a tough season for me," says Ken Shamrock, host of the "The Ultimate Fighter" and who, in the ring, is also known as the Most Dangerous Man Alive. "I am used to dealing with guys from the lion's den.
"I am used to guys who have watched me and want to work to get to that level, as opposed to guys who get put on a (reality) show, get total recognition, but have done nothing to deserve it."
Shamrock is among the experts who shepherd 16 mixed martial arts fighters vying for the title of "The Ultimate Fighter." The series began its third season April 6.
Until Spike TV gave the Ultimate Fighting Championship organization its own reality series, most viewers knew of the brawlers only from pay-per-view events. Now, the little-known fighters can boost their careers with TV exposure.
From where Shamrock sits, some of the new fighters coming along are getting fame before they prove their mettle in the ring.
Among this season's fighters are Kristian, a former New Orleans resident who lost it all during Hurricane Katrina; Matt, a 2004 NCAA Division III Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee; Mike, a 34-year-old tattoo artist; Danny, a taekwondo child prodigy; and Michael, a descendent of Polish royalty.
Tattoo artist Mike "came in and gave his all, although he did not have a whole lot of ability. He's a tough guy," Shamrock says.
But for every guy like Mike, there are contestants who don't want to try.
"We have one guy that has no work ethic. He wants it handed to him," Shamrock says. "He could have won the whole thing or been at the top with one other person if he had worked harder."
Shamrock says instant TV exposure can also hurt the caliber of fighters the show is getting.
"You see a lot of guys who love to talk trash and who have been down the road a lot," he says. "They want to build up their own game."
Fans, Shamrock says, don't like that kind of behavior if the fighter hasn't proved himself in the ring.
Such smack talk, however, hasn't hurt the show's ratings. Each season has progressively grown on the audience.
Shamrock, though, sees more fighters showing up unprepared.
"I don't think they understand how much pressure is placed on them on a day-to-day basis," he says. "The first season was interesting, but it didn't show enough about the training. The second season was a little lackluster. This new season will be phenomenal. I think it will blow it off the chart."
Shamrock says that "The Ultimate Fighter" does a good job in showing the work it takes to succeed in the ring. "This show shows that no matter how good you are (in the ring) . . . you have to put work into it to succeed," he adds.