But perhaps more importantly than the Spike TV swan song is the talent “TUF 14” is producing. The show, which concludes with a regular-season episode on Wednesday (10 p.m.) and a live-event finale on Saturday (8 p.m.), features bantamweight (135-pound) and featherweight (145-pound) fighters for the first time in the show’s history.
The UFC introduced both weight classes this year after a merger with WEC. Great fighters have emerged, but the smaller weight classes — and some of their mid-tier fighters — have sometimes struggled to gain traction with fans.
But with the 12-week run on “TUF 14,” viewers have gotten to intimately know the cast members, many of whom will be signed as official UFC fighters after Saturday’s finale.
Additionally, the UFC’s top-two 135-pounders, champ Dominick Cruz and upcoming title challenger Urijah Faber, are leading candidates to serve as head coaches on “TUF 15,” which could further bring notoriety to the division. And featherweight champion Jose Aldo fights Jan. 14 in his native Brazil when he takes on undefeated Chad Mendes in UFC 142’s pay-per-view main event.
“Everything takes time,” said UFC president Dana White, who also plans to add a 125-pound flyweight division in 2012. “These lighter guys put on amazing fights. They’re the best in the world in their weight classes. Fans are realizing that.”
Award winners revealed Wednesday
The 22 winners of the 2011 World MMA Awards will be announced Wednesday during a black-tie ceremony in Las Vegas.
This year’s top award — the Charles “Mask” Lewis Fighter of the Year — will go to Dominick Cruz, Jon Jones, Anderson Silva, Nick Diaz or Dan Henderson.
There’s not a bad pick in the bunch, though Jones appears to be the frontrunner.
The ceremony, which has become more elaborate each year, will air on FOX Sports Net on Dec. 11 at 8 p.m.
Dann Stupp is editor-in-chief of MMAjunkie.com, voted best media outlet in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 World MMA Awards.
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