MMA Junkie ran their weekly interview with recently eliminated Ultimate Fighter, Matt Riddle, earlier this week. While most of the interview is pretty standard; the laughing, the joking, and a couple curse words here and there, there’s a couple of interesting tidbits worthy of reading.

Apparently Riddle, who trained at Team Russel Jiu-Jitsu before moving to Rat Pack Fighting Systems where he was currently training, had some news to share:

I’m probably going to train with (fellow castmate Mike) Dolce and all those guys at Team Quest North and then with Rampage at Big Bear (Calif.) with the high altitude and stuff to get ready for my fight… Rampage and I got along very well. I got along with Juanito, too, and all the coaches. They still call me to see what I’m doing.

The news doesn’t come as much of a surprise if you think about it. Riddle really needs to be training with other top caliber fighters like his friend from Team Quest and ex-IFL fighter, Mike Dolce along with Rampage and his friends at Big Bear. The surprise comes at how Riddle hints about his treatment from his friends at Rat Pack Fighting Systems.

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The UFC is in dire need of a few top notch heavyweights to step up and make a run to the title and they are adding to their talent stockpile by using their famous reality show. The MMA reality show “The Ultimate Fighter” in its 8^th season will look to be showcasing lightweights and heavyweights. Rumor has it that if you just happen to be a talented MMA fighter, and in the heart of Red Sox Nation the first week of April, you could run across a TUF tryout. UFC.com has an advertisement for the eighth installment of this show on their homepage. It provides a link to an application.It is no secret that the UFC has a current shortage of big guys. It was no more apparent when they recruited WWE star Brock Lesner and began advertising him more than they did Wanderlei Silva. The UFC hurt themselves when they couldn’t get past contractual issue and sign Fedor. Not only did it not put one of the top fighters in the cage, but also caused problems with their big champion. Most fans are beyond sick of hearing about this, and it also gives Dana haters more fuel to the fire.

The television show “The Ultimate Fighter” has done great things for the sport. Fighters such as Josh Koscheck, Diego Sanchez, Joe Stevenson, Marcus Davis, and Rashad Evans came from just the first two seasons. There are more than 15 fighters on contract with the UFC that were a part of this series. This show is something that the other organizations want, but do not have.

Arguably the weakest division in the world’s strongest MMA organization may get a boost in talent from the show. If the show does indeed center on heavyweights, it could bring in a handful of fighters that would add depth to the depleted division. Constant exposure from the cameras will give the world enough time to fall in love or hate a fighter. This love hate relationship between the fans and fighters is one of the things that draw viewers. If you hate Matt Hughes you will purchase a PPV in hopes that he gets knocked out and if your favorite fighter is stepping into the cage, you will buy it to cheer him to victory.

This show has meant more to the UFC than ever imagined. The 7^th season will begin April 2^nd with a fight your way in mentality. 32 fighters will be cut in half, as they fight to earn their spot on the show. Every season their have been drama and special moments that made each season unique; Chris Leben spitting on another’s bed or the constant drama between coaches BJ Penn and Jens Pulver. I look for it to continue in April. This may be the most talented group of fighters on the show yet. It will showcase All-American wrestlers, Champion Jui-Jitsu practitioners, and fighters from the elite teams such as Team Quest. This was a brilliant idea and will continue to stock up the talent for the UFC leading up to the much needed TUF 8 season.

This weekend is the biggest fight card of the year to date in the top MMA organization. Before every UFC event, I fill out a poll to see if I can outwit my local UFC fans and pick the winners. Earlier today while I was making my picks, one of my fellow workers asked me a question. “why Chris Leben is on the main card, while Sanchez and Koscheck sit on the undercard?” As I continued to make my picks, the question stuck in my mind. This one time Team Quest fighter has trumped the other TUF alumni on this card, but the question is - why?

Team Quest is known for top fighters. Fighters among the likes of Randy Couture, Nate Quarry, Ed Herman, Matt Lindland, and Dan Henderson have called this Oregon gym home. One fighter who began his climb to the big leagues of MMA here is Chris Leben. Leben was one of the most exciting guys on the original cast of The Ultimate Fighter and on the show he experienced highs and lows. He is a part of some the most memorable moments in the show’s history. One of which he showcased his heart and desire when he out performed everyone on the treadmill. On the other side of the spectrum he also used Jason Thacker’s bed as a urinal. Thacker and Leben fought at the finale of the show, and after ending the fight Leben apologized for the act. His colorful flare and comical approach gained him tons of fans, and eventually a UFC contract.

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