Issue 029

September 2007

The Ultimate Fighter reality series aired on Spike TV in the US and Bravo in the UK has not only proved to be a highly successful media venture (with ratings soaring above all expectations) but is also credited with helping to make the UFC as popular as it is today.

More than 10 million people tuned in to witness the slugfest final of the first series, and since then ‘TUF’ (as it is affectionately known) has provided a platform for some of the world’s best unknown fighters to launch their careers, creating huge profiles and fanbases that have allowed fighters to achieve true ‘rockstar’ status. The combination of the rivalry between the teams and the personalities and true-life stories of the competitors created a formula for success.

This formula was never more accurately mixed than in the third series of the show, aired in 2006. Arch enemies Tito Ortiz and Ken Shamrock were pitted against each other as team coaches. Their rivalry and volatile clashes made every episode addictive, but rivalries in the show did not end there! TUF 3 had a very different spin to the previous two shows as for the first time the Las Vegas mansion where the fighters would live during the competition became home to two British fighters, Ross Pointon and Michael Bisping.

Lancashire lad Bisping became an instant hit with his combination of his intense training, superior fighting skills and sense of humour, his personality shining through on many occasions. However a lack of personality on behalf of Team Ortiz team mate Matt Hamill would soon cause friction in the camp. Hamill was considered a strong contender to win the show from the outset with coach Tito Ortiz seeing aspects of himself in the wrestling standout. During training Bisping took exception to what he felt was Hamill’s overtly aggressive attitude and heavy handedness whilst practicing takedowns.

As time passed in the house it looked like a showdown was inevitable between the two, and their personalities started to grate on each other. Hamill was considered to be the biggest threat to Bisping as his particular strength (wrestling) was Bisping’s weakness. However Bisping’s strength, his striking, was also Hamill’s weakness, so this seemed to be an even match that could go to either fighter. You can now get the opportunity to witness first hand the events that went on in the house and in the Ultimate Fighter gym as FightDVD announce the launch of The Ultimate Fighter 3 to DVD box set.

As both Bisping and Hamill prepare for all-out war to settle their differences once and for all at UFC 75, find out the history behind the two fighters as well as all the other events that went between the other stars of the show including Kendall Grove, Ed Herman, Kalib Starnes and UK’s own Ross Pointon.

To purchase your company of The Ultimate Fighter 3 log onto to www.fightdvd.co.uk available from 17^th September 2007 retailing £29.99