With the start of The Ultimate Fighter 4: The Comback less than 3 weeks away, I thought it would be a good time to take a look at the fighters that will appear on the show and do a little TUF4 preview. Of course, I know that the spoilers are already out there, thanks to Beatdown Radio, but for those who do not already know the outcome (and even those who do) now is a good time to get acquainted with the fighters. TUF 4 will feature MMA veterans with the middleweight winner getting a shot at the UFC Middleweight Title in the first half of 2007, and the welterweight winner getting a shot at the UFC Welterweight Title in the first half of 2007.
Fighter Name: Mikey Burnett
Age: 32
Record: 5-2
UFC Record: 2-1
Key Wins: None
Key Losses: Pat Militech
Mikey Burnett is really an unknown to present-day MMA. Burnett has not fought since UFC 18 back in 1999. Burnett’s only contact with MMA since then has been as a “celebrity” referee at different events. You know about as much as I do about Mikey.
Fighter Name: Shonie Carter
Age: 34
Record: 34-15-6
UFC Record: 3-2
Key Wins: Jason Black, Matt Serra, Chris Lytle
Key Losses: Pat Militech, Miky Pyle, Karo Parisyan, Ronald Jhun, Jon Fitch
“Mister International” is taking one last stab at making a run at a title shot. Shonie has been fighting MMA since 1997, and has plenty of experience coming into TUF 4. However, while always exciting to watch with his spinning backfist, Shonie has never been able to defeat any top-level fighters and has even struggled with B-level fighters. I don’t expect much in the cage from Shonie, but he should provide hours of laughs in the house.
Fighter Name: Matt Serra
Age: 32
Record: 5-4
UFC Record: 4-4
Key Wins: Yves Edwards, Ivan Menjivar, Jeff Curran
Key Losses: Shonie Carter, Karo Parisyan, B.J. Penn, Din Thomas
Matt “the Terror” Serra began fighting MMA in 2001 and has fought some big names in the sports. Seven of Serra’s nine fights have gone to decision, so we know he can last with anyone. Can Serra step up and avenge a few of his losses against some of his fellow contestants? I think he has a good shot.
Fighter Name: Rich Clementi
Age: 29
Record: 23-10-1
UFC Record: 0-1
Key Wins: Brian Dunn, Joe Jordan
Key Losses: Caol Uno, Marcus Aurelio, Yves Edwards, Pete Spratt
Clementi’s only appearance in the UFC was in 2003 against Yves Edwards. Clementi has fought everywhere and against a wide range of opponents. Like Shonie Carter however, he doesn’t have any impressive victories and has lost to most decent fighters. I don’t expect much from Clementi but he could provide a few sparks in the cage.
Fighter Name: Pete Spratt
Age:
Record: 14-7
UFC Record: 2-2
Key Wins: Rich Clementi, Robbie Lawler
Key Losses: Georges St. Pierre, Carlos Newton, Chris Lytle, Ronald Jhun
Pete “Secret Weapon” Spratt is another fighter who has taken on some of the biggest names in MMA, and unfortunately come out on the losing end. Spratt has the potential to strike with the best of them and has a decent submission game as well. His back-and-forth win/loss record has kept him from being in a big name promotion consistently.
Fighter Name: Chris Lytle
Age: 32
Record: 21-12-5
UFC Record: 2-4
Key Wins: Pete Spratt, Ronald Jhun, Pat Healy
Key Losses: Robbie Lawler, Nick Diaz, Shonie Carter, Dave Menne, Koji Oishi
Chris “Lights Out” Lytle is another very experienced fighter who has won the majority of his fights by way of submission. One of my favorite fights to watch is Chris Lytle’s fight against Robbie Lawler at UFC 45. The aggression and emotion these two showed made for a very memorable fight. Nearly all of Lytle’s losses have come by way of decision, so he is a very tough fighter to knockout.
Fighter Name: Din Thomas
Age:
Record: 17-6
UFC Record: 2-2
Key Wins: Matt Serra, Jens Pulver
Key Losses: Amar Suloev, Caol Uno, B.J. Penn
Dim Thomas is an American Top Team fighter well schooled in submission fighting and Vale Tudo. Thomas has the potential to be one of the best fighters in this group, but his desire needs to match for him to succeed.
Fighter Name: Jeremy Jackson
Age:
Record: 8-4
UFC Record: 0-1
Key Wins: Nick Diaz, Shonie Carter
Key Losses: Nick Diaz, Joe Stevenson, Jake Shields
Jeremy Jackson’s lone appearance in the UFC came in 2003 at UFC 44 where he suffered his second straight loss to Nick Diaz. Jackson had previously beated Diaz by TKO in the first round at an Ultimate Athlete competition in 2002. Jackson has some firepower but doesn’t have much success in the larger shows.
Overall, the welterweight division for TUF 4 has some excellent fighters with a good amount of experience. I look for each fight to be good from start to finish. We aren’t dealing with new “rookie” MMA fighters as we have seen before on previous TUF seasons.
Who are your favorites to win the welterweight division? Leave some comments and let’s discuss…
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Amber
eric
capt.ADK'er
Yael Grauer
itzFORT
Singh is King
Fizzlesticks
WTFH
Studog
lights out and the terror in the final. I wish Nick Diaz would have been on the show…………………..
Diaz would have been great in the house. I can only imagine what kind of “mischief” he would have gotten into with the other guys.
I’m going to invite Diaz over to my house for a reality show. I’ll put it online and charge $1.99 per download. That would be more interesting.
I’d actually pay to see that Jason…
Back to who I think will win this Divison…I’m going with Pete Spratt.
Season 1: My Picks
Forrest Griffin & Diego Sanchez (although I wanted Florian to win)
2-0
Season 2: My Picks
Brad Imes (hell I was close) & Jason Von Flue (I orginally picked Joe Stevenson but later changed my mind…doh!)
0-2
Season 3:
Ross Pointer (oops) & Mike Bisping
1-1
So for all 3 seasons…I’m 3 up and 3 down. In MLB, that would be a hell of a batting average…
Mikey Burnett all the way Baby! He’s a semi unknown, but you’ll all know him soon
whats happening with robbie lawler these days any 1 know
jacson is going to get his *** kicked
*** wooping i think chuck will put the hurtin on that old boy
Are you talking about Rampage?
matt the terror serra babbie hes gonna give ol matt hughes a run for his money
yea rampage
@Will
How is that gonna happen my friend?
i would kick that guys ***
im only 14 dude and that guy is going to fet his revenge
Your 14 … ohhh okay… well good luck with that… good luck to your boy Chuck, I think he will win too. .. lol
are u a real fighter or what
shutup are u a real fighter or what who are u
ice man chuck liddel and still the llight heavy weight champion of the world chuck liddel
You should go back to the bathroom where 14 year olds generally live and stop messing with people online. Yes I am a REAL fighter… did you think I was an imaginary fighter or a cartoon?
ur just a pusssy wanna be homo
who are u then
so who are u then sorry for the foul mouth
dude who are you
You need to go talk to your guidance counselor in school about that mouth of yours… lol why arent you in school, WHO ARE YOU KID?
please who are u if you are matt hughes my mom will flip shes a big fan
Your kidding right? Do I know you?
dont know but i got in a fight and got kicked ou of school
who are u really
who are u
i got in a fight and that is why i am typing this just tell me ur name
at this rate, the TUF 4 preview thread (that was created last July) is going to be the most commented thread of all time….
and without Dennis helping at all, haha
i gotta go my mom is calling me allright so ill be back in about two hours later
Well,
Martial Arts is great fun, but using it in an agressive manner at school, is something I don’t think most skilled fighters would condone. You should find a good martial arts school and learn some self control.
Fighting is for a ring or octagon.
Classic…
his “mom is calling him”
simply priceless
Yeah, Dr J I hear you… lol
I think you get random hits and they all just jump on the first thread they find and start posting stuff.. lol
“MOMS CALLING, SHE SAID 40 MINUTES IN THE BATHROOM IS LONG ENOUGH”! GOTTA GO!
I THINK THIS KID IS HIGH MAYBE
dont you retards have anything else to do than pick on a kid you losers
Well Will, I see your mom let you out of your cage.. how are you?
pretty good u
well u and your freind have fun making fun of a kid I respected you guys till then
yea u guys are cool picking on my son
for punishment my dad makes me do pushups
okay sorry that was my dad
just kidding i am home alone for three more hours
ONE WORD WEIRD
that was me about the dad thing i am just kidding with you dude well tyo=pe back and i am not a bad fighter at all my dad fights in the cage fights in north bend were we live i train with him everyday so yea i am in mma
Welcome back Will
dude are you DR J cause I am a big fan