· TUF Preview: Favorites & Contenders
When “The Ultimate Fighter” returns to Spike TV, coaches Brock Lesnar and Junior Dos Santos will attempt to hone the skills of 14 unsigned welterweights. With a mixed cast of notable names and rising prospects, this season could produce at least a few UFC mainstays.
The first part of our preview will focus on the fighters pegged as the season’s favorites and top contender’s to win the tournament.
The Favorites
Myles “The Fury” Jury (9-0; 4 KO, 5 sub.)
To say that Jury is a blue-chip prospect would almost be an understatement. Originally from Hazel Park, Michigan, Jury recently moved to San Diego to train with the likes of Dean Lister, former TUF champ Court McGee, and Toby Imada at Victory MMA. All nine of Jury’s wins have come via first round stoppage, including four inside the first minute. A seven-time King of the Cage and one-time Shooto veteran, Jury’s most notable win came against Sam Oropeza, who recently made his Strikeforce debut.
Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson (10-2; 6 KO, 3 sub.)
A native of the West Coast MMA scene, Ferguson has finished nine of his 10 victories, including a three-fight TKO streak. His most notable win came over the previously-undefeated Brock Jardine—the victory earned him the Pure Combat welterweight title. He currently trains at Knuckleheadz Boxing in California with TUF 11 vet Joe Henle.
Shamar Bailey (10-3; 3 KO, 2 sub.)
A product of Indianapolis’ Integrated Fighting Systems that also produced UFC fighters Chris Lytle and Jake O’Brien, Bailey is a two-time Strikeforce alumn. He split his two fights in the organization, earning a decision over TUF vet John Kolocsi and falling to Justin Wilcox. A wrestler at heart, Bailey’s only two other losses have come to Roger Bowling and undefeated Kurt Kinser. His aggression could keep him fresh in a tournament where he must fight three times in six weeks, and he shouldn’t struggle with weight as a natural welterweight.
The Contenders
Charlie “Superstar” Rader (15-4; 10 KO, 3 sub.)
A two-time Bellator veteran where he earned first round stoppage victories over Christian Fulgium and TUF 1 vet Josh Rafferty, Rader has finished 13 of his 15 victories and is currently riding a five-fight winning streak. Training with Power MMA out of New Orleans, Louisiana, the 28-year-old figures to have a lot of room to grow and could become a dark horse to win the tournament during the season because of his ability to finish and well-rounded skills.
Michael “Mick” Bowman (7-2; 3 KO, 3 sub.)
Training with the Wolfslair Academy out of Liverpool, England, Bowman is a name of interest because of his team and varied record of finishes. Currently riding a four-fight winning streak with all fights ending in the first two rounds, Bowman figures to bring in some British viewers if he is successful. He may be susceptible to submissions, as both of his losses have come via rear-naked choke.
Nordin “Fists of Tangier” Asrih (15-6-1; 5 KO, 9 sub.)
The oldest and most experienced member of this season’s cast, the 32-year-old German deserves a look based on his solid record and 14 finishes. An M-1 Challenge veteran, Asrih has faced UFC veteran Tomasz Drwal and Diego Gonzalez, although he lost to both. He has won three of his last four, with all three victories coming via stoppage.
Keon “The Black Assassin” Caldwell (8-1; 7 KO, 1 sub.)
Known as “The Black Assassin,” Caldwell has stopped six of his opponents via first round knockout. With his only loss to highly regarded prospect Dhiego Lima, the 26-year-old Georgian could be another fighter with substantial room to blossom in the house.
Ryan “The Kid” McGillivray (11-4-1; 1 KO, 9 sub)
A 24-year-old training out of Legends Training Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, McGillivray has finished nine opponents via submission including six in the first round. A 10-time veteran of MFC, McGillivray has only been finished once in his career, and has never been knocked out. Yet another fighter who can still grow with top-level training, McGillivray could emerge as a budding star on the show.
