Why so many TUF fighters choke?

Underground
1

and I don't mean RNC.

seems to happen a lot in the octagon, a TUF contestant fighter chokes and doesn't fight to his full capacity, but why?

It might be the jitters of being on TV, or on the big show...

but I think it's because: since they basically all live and train together they all have a sense of who the top dogs are and know going in whether they're going to get their asses handed to them. As opposed to most normal fights, when they're in their own training camps and each fighter thinks he's gonna win.

2

good post, makes sense to me

3

When they train together for 6 weeks, they sure know who they can possibly beat and who will whoop their ass. So if you're matched against a guy who mauls you in training, it's no wonder if you choke a little.

4

However, there were only two fights this season between teammates. (Well, three counting Mac vs. Speer today.) To my knowledge, except for the first day of evaluations, fighters from the two teams never trained together. In one of the two teammate fights, your theory held true. In the other, not so. Hightower came out with the attitude of having nothing to lose, and gave George a much tougher fight than anyone expected.

5

ryan g also has a point, but remember they all get to watch each other fight in person. after watching george ktfo one of your teammates its got to be in the back of your mind

6

Yeah, I'm not saying he's wrong. He could be right, I really don't know. Just giving a counter argument.

7

Another possibility is that it happens to fighters everywhere, but since you're actually in these guys' faces, you actually see the choking.

I'm sure inexperience has more to do with it than anything.

8

Your thinking too hard. Its because they are not very good.

9

True

10

I'd guess that some of these guys choke simply because they were selected for thier expected performances on a reality tv show and not thier performances in the cage.  I'd be willing to bet that the best fighters from the auditions weren't picked in most cases, but rather the people who'd make the best tv.  I'm sure all these guys are still very talented in thier own right, and still legitimately tough guys.  Again I could be wrong, but if I was making a reality tv show and needed to guarantee decent ratings picking the best fighters might not produce the best overall tv.

just my .02

11

I agree with the original post, but on that same token by living and
training together, someone can gain some insight on the competition's
"game". That could also play into their favor.

It would be nice if that balanced out with what you're saying, but thats
probably not the case. I guess its all the hands of whoever actually picks
the fighters for the season.

12

"I agree with the original post, but on that same token by living and training together, someone can gain some insight on the competition's "game". That could also play into their favor."

Case in point: In season 1, Diego said he knew going into the fight with Koscheck that he wouldn't win the wrestling battle because they had trained together and Koscheck always outwrestled him. So he knew he needed a different game plan for that fight. Knowing beforehand that he wouldn't win the wrestling battle likely won him the fight.

13

"Your thinking too hard. Its because they are not very good."

George said it was the first time he ever choked in a fight... and he's obviously a talented fighter, so it wasn't "just" that he wasn't good.

Also, as far as fighter selection, it seems like every season they pick one guy who is in over his head; for the entertainment value no doubt.

14

Maybe because most of them have only fought in local shows against guys below their skill level.

15

"Case in point: In season 1, Diego said he knew going into the fight with Koscheck that he wouldn't win the wrestling battle because they had trained together and Koscheck always outwrestled him. So he knew he needed a different game plan for that fight. Knowing beforehand that he wouldn't win the wrestling battle likely won him the fight."

I just wanted to chime in to say that I remember this, and that I think Diego was the stupidest guy in the world to at one point think he was going to outwrestle Kos.