Spike TV's released online today a sneak peak of the first few minutes of the debut episode for the new season of 'The Ultimate Fighter'. There are a few things different from previous seasons, most notably that the fights to get into the house are not held at the UFC Training Center, but the Mandalay Bay Events Center.
More interestingly (to the fighters, anyway), is that UFC President Dana White announces the fans will vote this year on who had the best knockout, submission and fight of the season. The winner will receive a $25,000 bonus. Given that one fighter could win both fight and fight-ending award, potentially $50,000 is up for grabs.
Coaches Jason Miller and Michael Bisping appear as well, although they say little.
The first fight they feature (but do not show) is a bantamweight tilt between Josh Ferguson and Casey Dyer. I've commentated Ferguson's fight in the UWC, so I have some exposure to his skills up close and personal. Without knowing the results, I suspect he wins unless the fight goes long.
Here goes nothing.