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Should UFC Heavyweight Fighter Todd Duffee Be 'Fast Tracked'?

UFC heavyweight prospect Todd Duffee (5-0)

UFC heavyweight fighter Todd Duffee burst on the MMA scene at UFC 102, destroying Tim Hague in 7 seconds for his first UFC win.  Duffee immediately stated that he wanted to face the best fighters in the post fight interview, and stated that he wanted to be 'fast tracked' to the top.  Duffee is a physical specimen, standing at 6'3" and around 250lbs so he's big enough to compete with the behemoth's of the UFC HW division.  However, what we want to do here is look at some factors in regards to fast tracking someone like Todd Duffee.  So let's get to it:

-Duffee is young in his MMA career at 23 years of age

-Duffee has been fighting for 2 years and is (5-0) while logging a total of 6 minutes and 11 seconds in those five fights

-Duffee trains with the reputable American Top Team camp

-It's clear that Duffee has physical tools and some athletic ability. 

Star-divide

I don't know if Duffee meant he wanted to fight the likes of Cain Velasquez and Shane Carwin, or the likes of Heath Herring and Justin McCully in regards to being fast tracked.  Preferably, you'd want a young fighter like Duffee to gradually work his way up.  I mean the kid barely has 6 minutes of fight time under his belt and he's still really young.  So those two factors support the gradual build up of him in my opinion.  Jon Jones and Cain Velasquez and even current UFC LHW champion Lyoto Machida are prime examples of gradually building a fighter up so to speak against tougher competition each go round.  Todd Duffee may in fact be the next big thing, but there's no sense in wasting the momentum he's built with a 7 second KO in his first UFC fight.  I mean if he were to go out and lose his next fight against someone like Cheick Kongo, then all of that momentum he had would be lost.  On top of that you would have to wonder how that would affect him mentally?  Would he be able to bounce back from a loss like that?

There are some fighters that absolutely must be fast tracked and Brock Lesnar was one of them.  If you factor in his popularity, his age, and all the wear and tear of WWE/amateur wrestling it was a no brainer.  However, Duffee has time on his side and a great training camp to improve at a very quick rate.  If he's patient, that could lead to big things for him.  Patience young grasshopper, patience.  It looks like Duffee will be making his second appearance in the octagon at UFC 107.  Who would you like to see Duffee face next?

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I’m usually pretty conservative in regard to fighter development. I’d like to see Todd fight at least a few more times on the untelevised undercard and let him test himself and work through some adversity before getting pushed into the limelight. Just what I prefer.

by Rich Wyatt on Sep 12, 2009 5:54 PM EDT reply actions  

No he shouldn't be fast-tracked

Duffee had a good performance in his debut, but Hague is nothing like the top competitors. Hague got lucky in his fight against Barry, which is probably significant as to why Hague’s next fight was with a newcomer. That fight was a step up for Duffee, but nothing to get him fast-tracked.

by ferrari004 on Sep 12, 2009 5:56 PM EDT reply actions  

Duffee has 11 minutes of fight time. His fight against Assuerio Silva went into the second round.

by Michaelthebox on Sep 12, 2009 6:42 PM EDT reply actions  

iv’e read that he’s going to fight beuntello next, if he blows through him, they should match him up with another decent wrestler.

by bdw on Sep 12, 2009 9:25 PM EDT reply actions  

bitetti combat is on justin.tv live right now

in case someone is interested or doesn’t already know. i just got home. ;)

by bdw on Sep 12, 2009 9:38 PM EDT reply actions  

The fights got less exciting as the night wore on…

by Ahhhoki on Sep 13, 2009 12:34 AM EDT up reply actions  

yes, the paulo and arona fights were snoozers. rizzo/monson was o.k.. i knew rizzo would win again, he has jeff’s #. would like to see arona in strikeforce next, maybe after 1 more fight.

by bdw on Sep 13, 2009 12:49 AM EDT up reply actions  

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