The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team dos Santos has been almost completely derailed.
Not only has the reality show’s 13th season failed to live up to the not inconsiderable hype that Brock Lesnar‘s involvement engendered, but it’s also lost its main jewel. And I’m not talking about Chris Cope’s upset of Junior “Cigano” dos Santos’ top pick Shamar Bailey.
That stung, but Bailey never really proved he was worthy of the No. 1 distinction. Even his wrestling didn’t seem all that incredible, and his striking was rudimentary at best.
Nope, I’m talking the Vanilla Gorilla’s second struggle with diverticulitis that’s knocked him out of his June 11th bout with dos Santos before Cigano got a chance to do the same. Even without the usual spectacle of stupidity that is a reality television staple, TUF could’ve coasted along on the momentum of a clash between Lesnar and dos Santos.
That’s the power of the sport’s biggest draw and the publicity-friendly Brazilian, as well as a fight for the right to be the top contender to UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez’ belt.
But Lesnar’s illness scrapped all that.
With a relatively tame TUF season and no culminating battle between the coaches, it’s safe to say that the Brock Lesnar spotlight has worked against the UFC this time around.
Oh well, nobody’s perfect.
With only a couple episodes left, we’re getting down to the hombres who have a shot to be legitimate players in the UFC game. One of those left standing will win the contract, but several competitors from the quarterfinal group traditionally make a few waves in the organization.
So join us at 9 p.m. EDT/6 p.m. PDT for tonight’s episode and live reactions.
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