The same was true at UFC – The Final Chapter (the closer of the Ortiz/Shamrock trilogy, if it can be called that) for the TUF 3 guys, who were more or less showcased in the main card.

It’s an interesting point, but you have to remember that the UFC spends alot time trying to sell the reality show fighters to the hardcore fanbase while still maintaining their image as big stars to the more casual fan, and that’s a hard thing to do.

The best way to do it is to have the ones they want to promote (or at least scout further) compete on free TV.

That keeps the hardcore fans from being pissed that their paying $40 to watch a fight between untested fighters and gives the casual fan, who might not want to pay for a pay-per-view, a chance to watch their favorite TV personalities go at it.

It’s a smart marketing ploy, and it’s a good thing to notice.

Generally, good write-up, though it might also be worthwhile to notice that Corey Hill was signed by the UFC without the two things that Dana White generally requires of anyone added to his roster:

A professional record (usually with at least a 66% winning percentage, though there are some exceptions to that rule)

An extraordinary background in another sport (we see this in the case of alot of the pre-Zuffa signings of guys like BJ Penn and Randy Couture, though Dana doesn’t really do this any more)

Good piece.