The Ultimate Fighter: Australia vs. U.K. Official, Tryouts Slated For June

[No More Sorrow]

As expected, the second international edition of "The Ultimate Fighter" will feature Australia vs. the U.K.

UFC executives today announced the launch of "The Ultimate Fighter: Australia vs. U.K.," which airs later this year.


Tryouts for the show, which are open to fighters weighing between 61 and 77 kilograms (approximately 135 to 170 pounds) are scheduled for June 12 in Sydney and June 15 in London.


"Australia and the U.K. have a fierce, long-standing rivalry, and where better to settle the score than in the UFC's Octagon?" asked UFC exec Marshall Zelaznik in an official release. "The popularity of MMA has exploded in Australia and the U.K., with gyms opening all over the respective countries. There is an athlete in one of those gyms who hasn't had the chance to show the world what he can do. 'The Ultimate Fighter' is going give to him that opportunity.


"We're going to discover the UFC's future stars. You can bet on it."


UFC officials first teased the idea of the series in January, with the season's live finale expected to take place in Brisbane, Australia. UFC officials declined to confirm a slot for the finale in today's release.


Nicknamed "The Smashes," a play on words of the 130-year-old cricket rivalry between the two nations known as "The Ashes," "The Ultimate Fighter: Australia vs. U.K." follows "TUF: Brazil" as the second international edition of the long-running reality series. Like "TUF: Brazil," the show is expected to be tape-delayed (as opposed to the current live format of the series aired in the U.S. on FX). Broadcast plans for the series have yet to be announced, though its expected to be filmed in Australia.

Struggling to see who they'll do for coaches on this show, Bisping and Lombard would make sense but i can't see that happening because Lombard is so new to the company and this would be the third time that Bisping would be coaching the show.

Maybe if Dan Hardy wins his fight at UFC 146 he can coach Team U.K. and George Sot or even Brian Ebersole can do Team Australia

 

[Troy]

Ugh I was so disappointed when I read the press release and saw that they were looking for some fighters for the midget 135 division. Would have been nice to see fighters from the bigger divisions, still it will be good to see more Australians getting a shot at making it in the UFC.

 

[The Cork]

Tried to apply for this but it says you need at least 3 pro fights to qualify on the application form.

 

[Edgeomatic]

Tried to apply for this but it says you need at least 3 pro fights to qualify on the application form.

3 Pro fights? You sure? I thought it was 3 fights period, amateur or pro. Are there even that many guys in australia?

 

[The Cork]

UFC® : Ultimate Fighting Championship

3 pro fights with at least 2 wins.

I train at the same gym as Vaughan Lee, so gonna ask if he can get me into tryouts anyway. I know he won't have a lot of stroke but he'll know some UFC officials.

Would be hell cutting to 170 by June though.

 

[No More Sorrow]

:

That's awesome that you're going to apply for the show or at least attempt too. Wish i could do something like that, but my knee and back are so messed up from a car accident years ago.