TUF 9 Finale Set

After the last TUF episode, the finale for TUF 9 which takes place this Saturday in Vegas has been set. Team USA's Damaques Johnson taking on UK's James Wilks, with an all-UK lightweight finale, pitting Ross Pearson against Andre Winner. TUF 9 had some great fights play out, especially in the early episodes.

The fight between James Wilks and Frank Lester played out much like the first fight. Lester was throwing bombs, with Wilks countering with his longer reach. Lester successfully defended numerous takedowns throughout the bout.

In the second round, Wilks' reach became more a factor, as he bloodied Lester's nose and started to work him over. In the third, knees to the face ended Lester's run. Lester should hold his head up, as he fought 4 times in 34 days and earned a spot on the undercard of the Finale.

The TUF 9 Finale will take place this Saturday. Here is the rumored Line-up:

Clay Guida vs. Diego Sanchez
Ross Pearson vs. Andre Winner- TUF LW Final
DaMarques Johnson vs. James Wilks- TUF WW Final
Nate Diaz vs. Joe Stevenson
Kevin Burns vs. Chris Lytle

UNDER CARD

Jason Dent vs. Cameron Dollar- TUF 9 Fighters
Frank Lester vs. Nick Osipczak- TUF 9 Fighters
Mike Ciesnolevicz vs. Tomasz Drwal
Brad Blackburn vs. Edgar Garcia
Melvin Guillard vs. Gleison Tibau


(Andre Winner pictured)

TUF 9 , Ep 9- Showing Heart

Throughout the season, Frank Lester has been the type of guy who just wants to fight. Frank came in as an alternate and won his first match with a nasty kimura after Kiel Reid knocked himself unconscious. In his second match, Frank had all his artificial teeth knocked out by James Wilks.

When it came time to find a replacement for injured fighter Jason Pierce, only two fighters who were injured themselves could step in. Frank Lester, with a black eye and teeth gone or Mark Miller with a broken nose. Frank seemed to want it more and was given the opportunity to fight. As he begins to get ready, he puts in his mouthpiece to find a couple teeth still embedded in the mouthpiece.

Dave Faulkner represents Team UK, winning his first match with a knee bar. Faulkner has some mental issues, not being able to keep a mouthpiece in. He ends up going to a hypnotherapist to see if he could get rid of his gag reflex. Unfortunately, the new age tactics didn't work.

During the first round of the fight, Lester and Faulkner traded punches and kicks with a lot of circling and clinch work. The only takedowns Faulkner got were immediately denied when Frank stood back up.

In the second, Faulkner started to lose his steam after attempting numerous takedowns. Frank was able to connect with jabs and straights. His hooks were usually countered well. Dan Henderson continued to shout jab throughout the fight, as Lester owned a 4 inch reach advantage. After the second bell, the judges declared it a draw, meaning there would be one more round.

Unfortunately for Team UK, Faulkner would not answer the bell, saying he was finished. Bisping tried to tell him that he was throwing away a big opportunity, but it was to no avail as ref Steve Mazagatti called the fight. Team USA captured its 4th victory to even the score 4-4. Frank Lester showed tremendous heart in the victory.

In the crowd throughout the fight was Mask, the now deceased originator of the Tapout brand.



Here are the quarterfinalists:

155 US- Jason Dent, Cameron Dollar
170 US- Damarques Johnson, Frank Lester

155 UK- Ross Pearson, Andre Winner
170 UK- Nick Osipczak, James Wilks

TUF 9 Episode 6 - Dollar Bills Y'all

This episode featured two fights, the first between lightweights Cameron Dollar and Martin Stapleton and the second between welterweights Frank Lester and James Wilks. The episode featured some surprises and irony.

The episode begins with Bisping explains his absence during the Dean Amisinger v. Damarques Johnson fight. Apparently, Bisping has been dealing with jet lag and overslept. My question is why an alarm wasn't set or a coach banging on his hotel door. Bisping really let down Dean in that fight.

Before the fight with Stapleton, Dollar was again portrayed as an arrogant young guy, telling Dean how to escape from a triangle after his loss. Dollar then shows a more humble side, as he is very scared and nervous about fighting. His stand-up game is also suspect in training, as he routinely misses targets held by striking coach Cyrille Diabate.

Stapleton is portrayed as a battle hardened UK Marine with tremendous cardio. Bisping hypes him up, as does the team. Lester tells Dollar that while Stapes is a tough guy, tough guys have been beaten up before.

As the fight begins, the fighers circle and measure each other. As Stapleton comes forward and exchanges, Dollar nails him in the side of the head with a hook. From there, Stapleton was fazed and looked for a takedown. Dollar was able to get his back, took his time with strikes, then eventually got a rear naked choke. Dollar was humble in his victory, and with a good grappling game, may be a force in the tournament.

Before the second fight, shadow boxer Frank Lester is profiled. Frank is slightly crazy and liked by most of the team. Coach Dan Henderson attempts to clam him down, but Frank can't seem to contain his sudden hatred for Wilks. Wilks meanwhile is pretty calm, boasting a BJJ game and decent stand-up skills. Before the fight a $100 bounty is offered by Team USA for a Wilk's tooth.

The first round was an absolute war, with each fighter landing big shots. Frank is winding up his punches though, and eating too many knees and punches. As they clinch during the end of the round, Wilks nails Frank in the face with a knee. That knee knocked out the front fake teeth of Lester, which he lost as a young kid.

During the break, Henderson tries to pry the teach out of Lester's mouthguard but they don't come easy. After Bisping complains, Lester gets his mouthguard and is a totally different fighter. He drops his hands and has no energy left. Maybe too much shadow-boxing. Wilks takes advantage and brutalizes Lester before getting an armbar. Team UK now has a 3-2 on Team US.

(Cameron Dollar pictured)

Team USA Second Round- LW- Cameron Dollar, WW- Damarques Johnson
Team UK Second Round- LW- Andre Winner, WW's- Nick Osipczak, James Wilks

TUF 9 - USA Team Complete, Ep 3

This weeks episode of The Ultimate Fighter showed the remaining two slots of Team USA and some highlights of Junie Browning-esqe behavior. The fighters were also got a look at the house.

With two days to the last two elimination fights for Team USA, the fighters needed to stay somewhere and were sent to the house. The suburban Las Vegas house has been airbrushed to the T, with Team USA and Team UK areas. Team UK and USA meet and all seem to be on good terms. All fighters agreed that nobody would mess with anyone's food this season or sleep.

Then the Junie antics start, this time in the form of Robert Browning, Junie's little brother. The guy drinks a ton with two days before the fight, and acts like a complete idiot. While fighters are talking and starting to bond, Browning throws eggs onto the basketball court. He also calls out numerous fighter, proclaiming that he can beat everyone in the house. Meanwhile, all the other fighters are begging Jason Dent to beat him up.

During the training sessions both teams go pretty hard. Dan Henderson remarks that even if you have a little wrestling, you'll probably be better than Team UK. He said that ground and pound and takedowns could get a USA fighter into the second round. Team UK spends the time mainly sparring. Then we get to the last elimination bouts.

Kiel Reid vs. Frank Lester- In the beginning of this fight, Reid lands a decent right hand and gets a takedown as Lester looked stunned. From there, Lester looks to stand and Reid attempts a guillotine. After Lester gets out of that position, Reid looks for a takedown. While standing, Lester begins setting up a kimura, and with Reid looking to drop him with a double leg to take the fight to the mat.

Unfortunately for Reid, he knocks himself out going for the slam takedown. Lester capitalizes, working the kimura all the way through the full motion of the shoulder. Steve Mazzagati stops the fight very late, as Reid is KO'd and getting his shoulder mangled. Lester makes the house with his 3-2 record. Lester has won 3 fights in a row, his last over Lance Evans (2-3).

Jason Dent v. Robert Browning- Dent and Browning square off throwing decent kicks and punches each other's way. Browning isn't bad on his feet, with decent kicks, but then he tries to take Dent down. That proves to be his undoing, as Dent stuffs the takedowns and eventually starts to pound on Browning. With Browning on all fours, Dent throws punches to the body and knees. Unwilling to go for the choke, Dent lays on the punishment until the ref steps in.

(Jason Dent pictured)

*The episode wraps with Team USA winning the coin toss to pick the first match-up.

Team USA WW- Mark Miller, Damarques Johnson, Jason Pierce, Frank Lester

LW- Richie Whitson, Santino Defranco, Cameron Dollar, Jason Dent

Team UK WW- James Wilks, Nick Osipczak, Dean Amasinger, David Faulkner

LW- Andre Winner, Jeff Lawson, Martin Stapleton, Ross Pearson