In a way, the question just comes down to whether you think it's wise to attempt a career in MMA.
It's true the TUF contract is shitty, but struggling in the minor leagues is certainly worse. If a fighter can make the jump from the smaller shows to the UFC while bypassing TUF, then more power to him. But for a lot of fighters, TUF will make sense given the alternative. But this just raises the career question in general.
I mean, no, TUF is not going to be worth it for the majority of fighters. But for most of those same fighters, MMA period was never going to work out. Winning TUF and having a so-so career afterwards, like Danzig had, is the best that could have happened for lots of these fighters. I wish they could all have better post-MMA career prospects, but in many ways Zuffa is just a mirror of the cutthroat world at large. It's nasty out here, and for the most part, only people who long ago made wise long-term choices are succeeding.
It's true the TUF contract is shitty, but struggling in the minor leagues is certainly worse. If a fighter can make the jump from the smaller shows to the UFC while bypassing TUF, then more power to him. But for a lot of fighters, TUF will make sense given the alternative. But this just raises the career question in general.
I mean, no, TUF is not going to be worth it for the majority of fighters. But for most of those same fighters, MMA period was never going to work out. Winning TUF and having a so-so career afterwards, like Danzig had, is the best that could have happened for lots of these fighters. I wish they could all have better post-MMA career prospects, but in many ways Zuffa is just a mirror of the cutthroat world at large. It's nasty out here, and for the most part, only people who long ago made wise long-term choices are succeeding.
