When a new season of The Ultimate Fighter comes around there are always fighters who miss out due to the weight classes chosen for the series.
The upcoming TUF-Australia versus UK tryouts will not feature lightweight and welterweight’s cage-fighting bantamweight champion Gustavo Falciroli, regarded as the best 135lb fighter in the country.
He’s probably Australia’s best fighter not in the UFC, yet looks to have missed out on his chance to impress selectors.
While some will say that the 20lb (9kg) difference between his normal weight class and the class in which he will be forced to fight if selected for TUF will be too much, why was fellow bantamweight Richie ‘Vas’ Vaculik selected to try out?
Big wave surfer Vaculik is rated as the number two bantamweight in Australia and lost via decision to Falciroli in March of 2010.
Falciroli, who has a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu blackbelt from Roberto Tozi, walks around at 70kg before making his weight cut for a fight.
“Such is life,” said Falciroli.
“I will keep moving forward, I’m quite a bit disappointed but it’s going to go away soon. This hasn’t changed any of my plans.”
Brazilian-born Falciroli did have a worry about getting an Australian citizenship in time for the tryouts, but his manager-Daniel Herbertson confirmed it shouldn’t have been an issue and he is investigating the situation.
“Gustavo is eligible and his paperwork is in,” said Herbertson. “It shouldn’t have been an issue for Zuffa.”
Another Australian who won’t be trying out in Sydney on June 12 is flyweight Shabe Kafo.
Kafo is one of the most dangerous lighter-weight fighters in the country on the ground. Since making the drop to 125lb he has won via armbar and pulled off a twister in his most recent fight at CFC 21 in Sydney.
Hopefully for Falciroli and for Australian MMA it is all just a communication error and he is allowed to try out next week.
Genghis
Guest
What happened to Gustavo Falciroli over at ONE FC? He didnt fight for 18 months & finally got out of his contract with them? Why not just fight whoever they want him to fight? Does anyone have any idea what happened?
chase1
Guest
Ritchie isn't just a big wave surfer he is a fighter as well and a good fighter. It wouldn't surprise me if he makes the trials and wins the show go Ritchie.
Peter
Guest
Any lightweight/welterweight fighter who met the entry requirements were all invited and encouraged go try out on Tuesday. No invitation was required.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
Richie Vas is a good fighter and will go on for a long career but Falciroli is a complete fighter, has fought in the ONE FC and deserves his chance.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
I would say it is pretty ordinary that the guy he beat gets a tryout. Stinks of trying to create an entertaining tv show with a 'big wave surfer taking on big fighters' angle. Another reason I dont like sports reality tv shows.
Andrew Potter
Roar Guru
It's unfortunate, the weight shouldn't be a problem as he put on his application form that he is happy to trial at Lightweight.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
That is a bit sad. TUF has a long history of fighters going outside their weightclass to get a shot, think of the like of Kenny Florian who fought at middleweight and Rashard Evans who entered as a heavyweight. I have never seen Falcirioli so I couldnt judge if the 9kg will make the difference. Does he cut a lot of weight before a fight or is he naturally fairly small? Will be very interesting to see who the show turns up.