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The Ultimate Fighter: Season 10 – Episode 9: “Rattled”

November 11, 2009 By

9136-TUF10_Group

It totally sucks that I missed last week’s fight, but I was seriously sick and slept right through it. Leave it to me to sleep through one of the best fights.

Previously, Matt Mitrione was rocked hard in his win, and Marcus Jones gave Team Rampage their only victory. Now the quarterfinals begin and Justin Wren takes on Roy Nelson. Can Wren score another big upset??

Tonight, the show just seems tense to start. Team Rashad, with its 7 wins, pulls up to the gym. The problem for Rashad is how do you train 7 teammates to fight each other? This has never happened on the show before. They decide to start some with some individual work with the coaches, and then they’ll do their cardio as a group. Basically, the coaches will be hands off and they’ll just be getting in their workouts. It is a little strange to see opponents training virtually side-by-side, and Justin does admit to peaking in on Roy’s training. Roy equates it to fighting a friend and wanting to get it over with.

Oh boy, Matt. He says that his fight rattled his brain a bit and seems ditzier than ever. Though Justin believes he’s just milking it. Even in the van, Matt looks like he’s “passing out”. When they get home, Matt claims his head got worse and that he was dry-heaving. Dr. Brendan diagnoses it as a concussion. And then the K word gets thrown out there….*sigh* I wish they would just stop playing this “Kimbo might come back” game.

At Team Rampage training, Kimbo is shown while Rampage talks about the hopes of bringing Kimbo back. Kimbo then refers to himself as a “fight contractor.” (wtf?) Claims when he puts his “hatemakers” on you, you’re a “Dundadda.” (I repeat wtf?) Then news comes back that Matt was taken to the hospital and is not back yet. But Rashad is not worried about Kimbo coming back and instead finds the prospect exciting.

Tiki and Rampage then come rolling up in the parking lot looking like they’re up to something. To comment on Rashad’s “cocky attitude” they decide to feed up several chickens and leave them in the other guys’ backseats. Now that’s just wrong.

When the guys come out, they’re scratching their heads at first, but Rashad actually laughs at it (well, at first). However as Rashad puts it, not only are they smelly and nasty, they crapped all over the car! They proceed to open up the doors and let them out, and a chicken-chase ensued with Rashad and Tiki sitting in their truck yukking it up. Bottom-line though, Rampage’s joke backfired! Rashad actually seemed happy AND he got a better rental car! Rampage claims he will not give up on his pranks!

Back at the house, Matt is back, but is tight-lipped about his medical condition. He leaves Team Rampage scratching their heads as he wanders around cluelessly. Later that night, Dana shows up at the house, surprising the guys. When asked about how he’s feeling, Matt says he’s fine and wants to fight. The doctor has cleared him, so he’s good to go (though Scott Junk makes it known that he’s ready and willing to take Matt’s place – did he really need to touch that welt, it was nasty!). But Dana says that they will still have the doctors keep an eye on him just in case. There’s no way they’ll take a chance on a possible head injury.

In weighing on tonight’s fight, James believes that Wren will win, but Kimbo points out that Roy is well-trained and has all the tools needed to win. Justin, on the other hand, he says is the fat guy who gets caught by his mother eating powdered doughnuts and lying about it. Ok, that was wrong. Funny, but wrong!

At the weigh-ins, Dana jokes that Roy loves Roy more than anyone else and he’s waiting to be impressed by him. However, he was impressed with Justin’s first fight. Rashad is expecting the unexpected, because both guys are similar. Marcus doesn’t even wanna call it because Justin is just so likeable.

FIGHT DAY

Both guys are getting ready and talk about their mutual respect. But what it comes down to is youth versus experience.

ROUND 1

Wren strikes first with short jabs. Nelson just feels him out. Wren with a jab combo. Wren then charges at him with a couple strikes, but is blocked. Wren attacks again and has Nelson backing up. They wrestle against the cage, and Nelson is in control in the clinch. Nelson gets in some nasty knees. The ref restarts them. Finally Nelson strikes with some jabs which Wren returns backing Nelson up. Against the cage, Wren gets in a knee. Back in the center, they exchange more short jabs. Wren tries an overhand right but is blocked. Nelson sneaks in some jabs to the face, but Wren gets one in too that slightly rattles Nelson. They have a couple more short exchanges, but continuously circle each other. Nice leg kick from Nelson. Wren aggresses again and lands some nice shots to Nelson’s head. Another exchange with a leg kick from Nelson. Wren goes after Nelson and misses as the round ends.

ROUND 2

Nelson starts the round with a quick jab, but Wren is quick to return it. Wren goes with a combo and finishes with a leg kick. Wren with another set of jabs has Nelson backpedaling. More similar exchanges from the first round. Nice overhand from Wren is countered by Nelson’s left hook. HUGE swing and miss from Wren. Wren seems to be swinging wildly, but not landing much. Wren charges at Nelson and pins him against the cage, but Wren falls back and Nelson lets him back up. A good exchange has them clinching against the cage briefly, but they wind up back in the center. Nelson is now landing more shots, but he seems tired. Wren comes at Nelson with several good shots. Both seem tired. Great leg kick from Nelson leads to more solid exchanges. Powerful shot to Wren’s face. A good shot from Wren has Nelson doubled over into a clinch, but nothing comes of it. They stand back up and dance as the round ends.

Many guys call for a third round, which I would agree with, but I see that it’s only 10:57 :(
And the judges say it’s over – Rashad is shocked, as it should have been a third round fight.

Dana says that Roy was being destroyed by Justin in the first round (destroyed? HARDLY, Dana, seriously). But in the second round, Rashad noticed that Roy really picked it up and dominated Justin.

Winner: Roy Nelson via Majority decision

Before they even made the announcement, I called this one. I don’t know what fight Dana was watching, but I could’ve seen the first round going either way. If I were a judge, I would have given it to Justin, but it was not a dominating round for him. However, Roy completely controlled the second round. He won that round decisively. Without a third round, I could totally see the judges giving the fight to Roy.

A tearful Justin is disappointed in himself and expresses his regret about his choices during the fight. Roy then goes to Dana, asking if he made the fight more exciting. But, of course, Dana is his typical ass-self. Clearly Dana just DOES NOT like Roy. I get it, he’s not really marketable. But to badmouth him all season is just not right.

Next week: Matt’s health is questionable again, so all eyes are on Kimbo. Rampage and Rashad go head to head in the coaches’ challenge (volleyball…nice!). And Brendan Schaub is set to take on Jon Madsen in the next quarterfinal fight.

Filed Under: News, The Ultimate Fighter, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Ultimate Fighter Season 10 Episode 7: “Voices in my Head”

October 28, 2009 By

9136-TUF10_Group

In previous episodes, Matt Mitrione was found out to be a rat and later tested Rashad’s patience. Also, Darrill gets in Rampage’s face and the heat between Rampage and Rashad escalates.

From the start of tonight’s show, Rashad is mocking Rampage (mimicking how stupid he looked when he fought Wanderlei), but Rampage gives it right back. But the bottom line is that Rashad has 6 wins in a row to Rampage’s none.

At the fight announcement, they trade more barbs, but in between are still able to announce that Matt “Meathead” Mitrione will fight Scott Junk (who has fought in the UFC before). Dana puts his money on Junk simply because of his experience. That leaves Mike Wessel to fight Marcus Jones. Dana dubs it a “David vs. Goliath” and really doesn’t know what to make of it.

As soon as the announcements are over, Rampage and Rashad get in each others’ faces. Scott tries to break it up, but as soon as he turns away, they’re back at it. The tension between the two is unbelievable. I’d write about what the two are saying, but they’re talking so fast, I can’t! I just know it was an I’m-a-better-fighter-than-you or I’m-a-better-coach-than-you kind of fight. In the thick of it, their faces were literally inches from each other. Rampage keeps trying to egg Rashad to hit him, but Rashad wisely turns and walks away.

Back at the house, Matt is shown looking at a piece of paper that he later slips in his pants. Later, Scott reveals that it said that Mike was afraid to fight Scott and that’s why Matt is fighting him. However, Scott knew Mike before the show and tells him about the note. Apparently, the note was not true. So Matt’s a bigger rat than everyone thought.

At Team Rashad training, Matt discusses how he played football, but then found himself getting into MMA because of the athletic and training aspects of it. James gives the fight to Junk just based on his experience and Matt’s lack of training. James also tells Rashad about the issue with the note. Rashad’s theory is that Matt is projecting because he’s the one afraid of Scott, as this is the second fight he’s trying to get out of. Rashad confronts him, but he says he knows what he’s doing. Yeah. Sure.

Matt is later boring the hell out of Brendan talking about the peace in his head and how he feels when he’s fighting or doing something athletic. Basically, he’s just making himself sound like a crazy man.

Scott and Rampage train next, and they discuss strategy. Seems like they want to keep it fast and standing. According to Scott, he has come to the realization that Matt is a scumbag. It seems like no one really likes him, and everyone is picking Scott to win.

No surprise, the dislike is not limited to the opposition. Matt goes into the fridge and proceeds to drink Jon’s OJ (the one with his name on it). When Jon confronts him about it, Matt feels like he did nothing wrong. After some few choice words, Matt leaves the room and Jon threatens to slap him, but Matt didn’t hear it. Of course, James had to run and tell him. The big baby didn’t take it very well.

Lo and behold, Matt and Jon are paired together to spar at practice. Both start going at 100% and the anger is evident. Jon decides he’s done, causing Matt explode at him and begin screaming. Rashad gets him in the back room to straighten him out. Though his speech is nearly entirely bleeped, the gist of it is that Matt shouldn’t care what anyone says and that he should save his aggression for his opponent. But with Matt it goes in one ear and out the other. Rashad finds the truth of it though – his focus is all messed up.

And so a new pool develops in the house. When is Matt going to snap? Inspired, Sims sees Matt playing basketball alone and decides to sneak up on him “ninja-style.” Hiding in the trees, he waits for Matt to walk off and pounces on him trying to scare him. But it doesn’t quite phase him. Soon after, they are in the house playing pool and Sims stays nice and close to Matt, despite his pleas for Sims to not touch him. Matt keeps his composure. For now.

FIGHT DAY

In the morning, Scott seems pretty stoked to shut Matt up for everyone. Even Marcus makes a good point: there’s an issue if people on your own team don’t like you! In talking to Matt, Matt reveals that he has talked to his wife. But this can’t be, because they’re not allowed to receive phone calls! And then he points to his head…. Ooooooookkkaaaaaayyyyy….

ROUND 1

(P.S. What’s with the 8” reach difference? Does Mitrione have monkey arms or what??)

Both feel each other out, but Junk swings first with a kick. Both seem tentative. Junk kicks and it’s caught, so he falls back but Mitrione doesn’t know what to do. Junk gets up and they have some weak exchanges. Junk is slightly rocked and falls, but Mitrione again does nothing with it. Junk kicks again, gets caught and Mitrione connects, but can do nothing with it. Junk gets up and Mitrione rocks him with another punch. Partially down, he’s not really fighting back. He lays down and the ref directs Mitrione to let him up. Again, Mitrione connects with another solid shot and rattles him. Mitrione keeps landing several combos. Junks falls and grabs Mitrione’s leg, but can do nothing. They continue to exchange, but Mitrione looks tired and Junk is looking beat up. They both land a few good jabs and overhands. Junk rushes Mitrione into the cage and they clinch. Neither makes progress, so they go back to stand up. Mitrione is winded and has dropped his guard allowing SJ to connect a few. SJ backs him up against the cage and is relentless with several unanswered shots. As the round ends, their punches look like slow motion.

(Dana is awfully excited! True, this is the best fight yet, but that’s not saying much…)

ROUND 2

The round starts the way the first ended – both are exhausted and throwing shots my grandmother could throw. They connect with a couple, but not enough to knock anyone out. Mitrione decides to throw a leg kick, followed by another which is checked. Mitrione keeps throwing backhands that Junk fends off. The only good thing is that Mitrione keeps backing up. Finally, Junk charges and takes Mitrione down. Holding Mitrione down with one hand, he lands a couple jabs to the face. In full guard, he tries to punch Mitrione’s body and head. Both are SO tired this is comical. Eventually the ref stands them up and Mitrione lands a great straight kick. But then Junk lands a weak superman punch. Mitrione keeps connecting with weak shots, but at least they’re connecting. They continue walking and swinging around the cage, but at one point, they’re even on opposite sides of the cage. The round FINALLY ends.

Winner: Matt Mitrione by Majority decision (one judge called it a draw)

Rampage is thoroughly pissed, as Junk was supposed to be guy to get him a win and get the team on track. He responds by going into the back and literally tearing the door to shreds. Wow. Nutjob.

Next week: Marcus Jones begins to lose it. Darrill stands up to Rampage. And the final preliminary fight: can Marcus Jones defeat Mike Wessell and prevent a Rashad sweep? These days, I’m not counting anyone out!

Filed Under: News, Opinion, The Ultimate Fighter, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Ultimate Fighter: Season 10 – Episode 3: “The Enemy”

September 30, 2009 By

Nelson vs Slice

On last week’s episode, “All About Survival,” we saw two amateurish fighters just wear each other down. In the end, James McSweeney won by decision over the giant, Wes Shivers. But tonight is the night we’ve really all been waiting for – the biggest fight in the history of The Ultimate Fighter, with an expected viewership of over 6 Million. It’s hard to believe it’s happening so soon in the season, but IFL-veteran Roy Nelson will take on brawler Kimbo Slice. Will Kimbo be the flash in the pan that so many expect him to be? Or will Big Country crumble under the pressure? Who will be standing with their hand raised in victory?

The sun is setting on the house as Kimbo waxes poetic about what he’s learned in life. His deep thought: that when he shaves his beard, he’ll be a new Kimbo. While in the house, he realizes why he’s been fighting all these years, realizing that he is his own enemy. Kimbo says several of the other guys have a chip on his shoulder, but not him. He’s a family man. He is who is.

The meaning of this fight is not lost on anyone. The other guys in the house talk about how huge this fight is – PPV level even.

Roy acknowledges that Kimbo is a nice guy and doesn’t blame him for the hype. He admits that this is probably his last hurrah, and looks to spend 4 or 5 years in the UFC, allowing Dana to lead his way. Rashad sees him as too independent – booking his own fights, training in his own house, etc. – and Rashad wants to get him to break out of that. He picked Roy to fight Kimbo because he knows that Roy won’t be intimidated.

Team Rashad brings in Keith Jardine (who happens to train with Rashad) to help the guys train. Jardine and Rampage joke a little bit, but Rashad tries to provoke Rampage by asking him if his jaw still hurt (referring to when Jardine fought Rampage). This starts yet another “lightly” heated battle…heck, even James McSweeney gets in on it, defending Rashad (lending itself to a new classic Rampage-ism, “Take Rashad’s nuts outta yo mouth…”). Thankfully, the two part before it gets taken to the next level.

Rampage feels that Kimbo is the most shocking thing about this season. And of course, Kimbo then takes some light-hearted jokes from Rampage about his beard (and the “yarmulke” he wears on his head – at least as Rampage calls it). Rampage seems to really see potential in Kimbo and thinks with training he can do well. That being said, they decide to train him in take down defense, and with him on his back. Obviously these are areas he’s expected to lack in. They try to use the biggest guy on Team Rampage (to simulate fighting Nelson), but Kimbo struggles in getting the guy off of him. (And here Rampage jokes and jokes and jokes about the guy’s ‘big belly’ – I have to admit, I’m not a fan of Rampage, but he does make me laugh a lot!)

At the house, some of Roy’s teammates sit around dissecting Kimbo’s game with Roy, and what his weaknesses might be. Basically, they advise Roy to get him in some uncomfortable positions to submit him. Well, duh…even I knew that!

At Team Rampage training the coaches are working the guys hard in conditioning (learning from the Wes Shivers mistake!). Sweat is all over the floor and the guys are busting their asses, when they notice Marcus has gone missing. Rampage finally looks over and sees him benching himself. They discuss the next fight, which apparently Marcus thought he was getting. But how can he fight if he can’t even train? Marcus does not take this well. All Rampage wants him to do is wait until he’s better, and then he can fight. The two kiss and make up soon after. (Rampage-ism #2 to Marcus: Are you on your period?)

Even at the house, the guys tell Marcus he’s too sensitive! He admits to being a softy, which he finds easier than being a jerk. Then he discusses his former passions of playing Dungeons & Dragons and comic book-collecting. Who knew he was such a nerd?! What’s worse? He’s all into flowers and gardening! Yeah…I’m not so intimidated by him anymore. Lucky for him he’s such a big dude. Later, Marcus and Kimbo chat about Kimbo’s legendary fights and how he got started. Marcus respects Kimbo for his attitude and his work ethic. You can’t argue that. And Kimbo returns that respect.

Later, Dana pays a visit to the gym for the official weigh-ins. Dana comments on both fighters. He sees Kimbo as a definite fighter who came to fight. Roy looks like he “just left every buffet in Vegas” but don’t let the physique fool you, he is a well-rounded fighter. Kimbo weighs in at 230lbs, and Roy at a whopping 264lbs.

Several of the guys offer their opinions on this fight – from both sides – and it’s pretty evenly split. There is definitely a feeling of intensity at the gym. No one is selling either guy short. Rashad has a lot of hope for Roy, because he’s great on the ground AND he can stand up and fight. But even Roy admits that Kimbo can knock him out.

FIGHT DAY!!!

Everyone on Team Rampage seems in very high spirits – particularly Rampage who affectionately cuts his hair to look like Kimbo’s!

(wow, I totally have butterflies…)

ROUND 1
They feel each other out at first, both throwing several short jabs. A little slow to start, but Nelson seems to control the pace most with Kimbo backing up tentatively. Kimbo lands a solid leg kick. A minute in and someone is just waiting to break it wide open. More and more jabs from both, even after 2 minutes. Kimbo gets Nelson against the fence, clipping Nelson with a couple solid punches, but then they clinch with Nelson in control. Nelson gets the hooks in and is trying to take Kimbo down. Nelson peppers Kimbo with some knees and shin-kicks. Finally, Nelson sweeps Kimbo, takes him down and mounts him. He’s not doing much in the mount, but Nelson tries to spin Kimbo away from the cage. Nelson tries for his arm, and giving up the mount traps Kimbo’s arm with his leg. Kimbo tries to buck him off, but can’t really. Nelson traps his arm again and rains punches down on Kimbo’s head. With 10 seconds left, Kimbo is not fighting back but the round ends with Nelson landing punch after punch.

ROUND 2
Kimbo starts it with a jab, but he looks tired. Nelson counters, but Kimbo starts swinging big, hitting Nelson with a couple zingers. They clinch a little and Kimbo lands a big knee, but falls back as he does so. Nelsoon lands on top of him and has side control,basically smothering him with his belly. Nelsoon tries to kneel on his arm and pin him crucifix-style, meanwhile landing several punches to Kimbo’s head. Nelson tries to lock his arm up for an armbar, but can’t. However, he does trap the arm once again and Nelson lands countless punches. Kimbo doesn’t even try to defend himself or get out of it. The ref finally stops the fight.

Winner: Roy Nelson via TKO

Pardon me while I do my little happy dance!! Ok, that’s enough…

In the end, Dana is NOT impressed with Roy’s performance. Considering how weak his punches were while on the ground, he says Roy did just enough to win, and not get hit. He adds that now what Kimbo needs to do is stay, train and absorb whatever he can. And Dana makes a good point – on this show, you never know what’s going to happen. It wouldn’t be the first time a fighter gets brought back after losing…

The humble Kimbo tries to play it off that he doesn’t feel bad for losing because he tried…but then he admits that he feels like shit. But he learns from his mistakes and will come back stronger. (And I do have to admit, this is a different Kimbo than who we saw against James Thompson and Seth Petruzelli. He has improved by leaps and bounds. But he’s not at the top quite yet). Roy, he just wants to go home and eat.

Next week: Marcus is a powerhouse, but he collapses at the house, leading to speculation of a Kimbo-comeback! In further TUF Drama, it is discovered that there is a traitor on Team Rashad (seriously? This is a big deal? Doesn’t this happen EVERY season?).

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