Ultimate Fighter 2 - Week 1

I think the first thing that becomes obvious from episode one of UF2 is that mixed martial arts isn't particularly good for your health. Most martial arts schools strive to attract students by emphasizing not just the fighting or self-defense aspects of their art, but the health, mental and stress-relieving benefits therein. I think they're valid claims.

But anything taken to the extremes isn't good. Running is good in moderation, but serious, extreme runners end up with bloody nipples, wrecked knees and diarrhea. (I'm not kidding, but I digress.) Just as running too much isn't good for you, neither is focusing on any single aspect of the martial arts. Week 1 saw us lose Kerry Schall, and not even in a match. He blew out his knee doing a basic conditioning. What's more astounding about this - as he goes around on crutches, his support leg has a hard-core brace on it. That's his good leg that's in a brace. You can't tell me the martial arts have been good for Kerry Schall - that guy will be lucky if he can still walk when he's 40, nevermind defend himself in a fight. And then there's Kenny Stevens. Kenny was chosen as the weakest link, and was given the chance to fight for his right to stay in the game. To make weight, he had to cut 20 pounds in two days. That's insane. It's doable, but it can't possibly good for you - and that's just common sense.

Notes about the various fighters:

Melvin struck me as a bit annoying. To be that cocky in a house full of fighters who haven presumably been chosen because they've been judged equally likely to come out on top is a bit unwise. He's surely in shape and seems to have good reflexes, but I think eventually, he's going to get his clock cleaned. He's just like last season's Chris Leiben (sp?)

Luke is going to be the most underestimated fighter this season. He's just a little too into the metaphysical qi thing, and everyone thinks he's some granola girl. But he's done his share of conditioning work, and he wouldn't be on the show if he didn't have the desire to fight. I'm not saying he'll necessarily come out on top, but he'll acquit himself well.

What the fuck is up with Eli? Stupid little bitch. He deserves everyone's contempt for wussing out on the second day.

Ditto for Kenny, who had the nerve to talk shit even after he quit. "I would have beat all of those guys" has a hollow ring to it when you can't even make weight. I know I said it's not good for you, but it's the most basic part of being a professional fighter. If you can't handle that, you're in the wrong business.

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