The Iron Ring

(Misinterpret "rap battle" much?)

Nah, just playin'. The show could actually have potential, though it's hard to make a final judgment based on last night's episodes, which were focused on the teams and the fighter selection process. There were a couple surprises: Krazy Horse Bennett has apparently never trained for a fight and has only been in a gym twice, and Wes Sims somehow snuck onto the show, despite being a seasoned MMA veteran and caucasian. But to hold our attention for an entire season, we'd suggest two changes:

— The celebrity "team owners" should actually have to learn about and train for the sport; in particular, Juelz Santana could stand to benefit from some kettlebell work. Ludacris seemed to be the only one who showed any interest in getting in the gym with his guys. At the very least, MMA training would give T.I. something to shout at his fighters besides "kill the head and the body will follow!"

— Do not, edit, the fights. The second episode featured the show's first match, but it was hacked down to just the "ooh!" moments. If there's anything we've learned from IFL Battleground, it's that fight fans want to see the whole thing.

Did anybody else catch the show? Thoughts?

(Mark Hunt is the undisputed king of getting punched in the face.)

— Tryouts for the eighth season of The Ultimate Fighter will kick off in Boston on April 10th. Expect lawts of wicked ahsome ahmbahs.

— Keita Nakamura took one of Rob Emerson's toes in his eye, and now he has myodesopsia. "I see many bugs though they don't exist...I can tell this is an unlucky year."

— UFC 85 (June 7th, London) will feature a bout between lightweights Thiago Tavares and Matt Wiman, and may also feature a middleweight match between Nate Marquardt and Thales Leites.

— Mark Hunt and his titanium-reinforced chin will return to MMA competition in May.

— BET's blingy MMA show The Iron Ring debuts next Tuesday. The press release is here: "Headlining the show is boxing champ Floyd Mayweather (with the assistance of hip-hop star Rick Ross) managing the Money Mayweather Boys, along with hip-hop heavyweights Ludacris and Nelly representing Team Luda and Team Nelly (respectively)." Do you really need to know anything else?

— Dana White threatens Les Moonves's ass, then admits that Andrei Arlovski hasn't been feeling the love.

— Despite troll-jobs to the contrary, Tito Ortiz is quite healthy and will still be competing at UFC 84.