In an interview posted by SunSport, Dana White recently revealed that the new season of The Ultimate Fighter, in addition to featuring competitors from the 115lb. division, will introduce a format that sets fighters from differing geographies into immediate opposition of one another.
Surprisingly, Dana White had a barrage of derogatory and negative remarks to make about the fundamental idea of the next season's direction, citing geographical irrelevancy and fan-favorite status in some instances as reasons why the idea of a country vs. country format is "dumb."
"I said from day one I hate the UK v USA idea," said Dana. "It's dumb, I don't like it — it's not USA v the UK, we're looking for the best fighter in the world. We put on a card one time, the USA v Canada, it was @#$&ing retarded."
Dana's reasoning is the blend of fighters that the UFC has produced for their fans in the 10 years that the organization has been fighting its way back into the mainstream. As Dans puts it, fans don't look to the homeland of any particular fighter when determining who it is they're cheering for. Dana's ideal is to find the best fighters in the world, foregoing the idea that they can effectively be scouted based on geography, nationality or heritage.
"When GSP comes down and fights in the US more people cheer for him than the guy who's from America! When Tim Sylvia from the United States fought Antonio Nogueira from Brazil, everybody booed Sylvia on the way in and cheered for Nogueira. The reason is because in this sport it's not country versus country."
Dana's words ring with truth. Most recently, Tim Sylvia fought Fedor Emelianenko in the competing Affliction organization. Sylvia, American flag draped over his shoulders as he made his way down to the ring to meet the world's number one heavyweight, entered the arena to a series of boo's and varied crowd jeers. And despite such profound geographical origins, in his home country, Tim's opposition entered to the welcoming cheers and enthusiasm that any American fighter may hope to hear from a hometown crowd.
"I don't care if you're from the UK, Croatia or Brazil," Dana states, "because at the end of the day, when Michael Bisping comes to America, Americans don't boo him. You either like the guy's fighting style or personality — nationality has nothing to do with it. That's the way it used to be with boxing, with the exception of Ricky Hatton because everybody hates Floyd Mayweather!"
Dana's optimism for the sport's advancement is apparently without discretion or special preference, as he clearly sees the world's talent pool as a collective entity regardless of location or whereabouts. In an entertainment industry where athletes find themselves pushed forward undeservingly and held back unjustifiably, it's refreshing and encouraging to see such an individual within the inner-workings of such a pivotal industry presence retaining an open mind about where his forthcoming generations of talent will emerge from.
"That's what's changing in what we're doing. We're looking for the best fighters in the world," says Dana. "This country versus that country is irrelevant."
Despite the conflict caused by the next season's format in spite of Dana's vision for where his organization is going, country vs. country escapades of any type will usually draw the ire of the patriotic and proud alike, while further enveloping those who carry any notion of pride in their heritage in the action and drama The Ultimate Fighter's 9th season hopes to deliver.
Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below 
