The Ultimate Fighter 9" Chicago casting call nets second record turnout

[jonman12]

One week after an open casting call in London saw a U.K. record 200 hopeful fighters turn up for a chance to appear on "The Ultimate Fighter 9: U.S. vs. U.K.," another record setting crowd gathered today in Chicago.

More than 700 competitors made their way to the Crowne Plaza in Chicago in an attempt to qualify for the Spike TV broadcast reality show. Spike TV Vice President of Communications David Schwarz alerted MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) of the turnout today.

The previous high for a casting call was the approximately 500 fighters who turned out for a 2007 tryout for "The Ultimate Fighter 5" in Hollywood, Fla.

The UFC's previous U.K. tryout netted just 30 hopefuls.

The record showing is made even more impressive considering the UFC's last-second decision to utilize 170-pound fighters rather than the previously announced 185-pounders, forcing many would-be participants out of the running.

The organization also made the requirements to attend the tryouts more stringent this past week. As MMAjunkie.com first reported, producers of the show are now requiring all potential athletes to have previously competed in at least three professional bouts. This change was made despite the show's most recent winner, Amir Sadollah, entering the season with no prior professional record.

As we previously reported, "TUF: U.S. vs. U.K." will feature 32 fighters. Like the past two seasons of the show, each fighter must first win an elimination bout to earn his way onto the cast.

The show, which will likely begin taping in January and debut in April, will feature two middleweight coaches. "TUF3" winner Michael Bisping will head the U.K. squad, and either Dan Henderson or Rich Franklin -- who meet Jan. 17 in the main event of UFC 93 -- will likely head the U.S. team.

"The Ultimate Fighter 9" Chicago casting call nets second record turnout | MMAjunkie.com

[LasciviousXXX]

It just goes to show that the sport of MMA is growing. I think this is a great thing as the sport needs more exposure and more credibility as a sport. Coverage on ESPN I think is just the beginning.

When top fighters start to become household names in non-MMA houses I'll be happy