TUF Finale Set

The finale for TUF 8 has been set for December 13th. The fights feature 16 fighters from the TUF 8 house.

Efrain Escudero vs. Phillipe Nover (LW Final)- Efrain Escudero took out quality veteran Ido Pariente in the first round, Shane Nelson in the second and Junie Browning to make it to the finals. Definately wins over the best run of any fighter so far. Efrain's strength is his wrestling game. He also has a quality submission game and decent hands.

(Efrain Escudero pictured)

Phillipe Nover also had a tough first round opponent in Joe Duarte. In the second he defeated Dave Kaplan and then walked through George Roop. Nover has looked excellent standing and in his submission game. He also seems to be extremely athletic. He recently received his BJJ black belt.

(Phillipe Nover pictured)

Ryan Bader vs. Vinicius Magalhaes (LHW Final)- Ryan Bader, the two time All-American wrestler is lightning quick in his takedown ability. He is very strong and doesn't lack in the cardio department. Bader took out Kyle Kingsbury, Tom Lawler and then Eliot Marshall to make the finals. Bader may try to keep the fight standing to avoid Vinny's steller BJJ game.

(Ryan Bader pictured)

Vinny Magalhaes is world renowned in his BJJ skills. The blackbelt beat Lance Evans with some body kicks, then got submissions on Jules Bruchez and Krzysztof Soszynski to advance to the finals. In his fight with Krzystof, Vinny pulled guard trapping his arms and getting an armbar. Vinny might have a tough time pulling guard with Bader.

(Vinny Magalhaes pictured)

Wilson Gouveia vs. Jason MacDonald
Kevin Burns vs. Anthony Johnson
Junie Browning vs. Dave Kaplan

PRELIMINARY CARD

Shane Primm vs. Krzysztof Soszynski
Jules Bruchez VS. Eliot Marshall
Kyle Kingsbury vs. Tom Lawlor
Shane Nelson vs. George Roop
John Polakowski vs. Rolando Delgado

TUF Episode 10 - Roop's Hand

This episode featured the final first round match-up between lightweights John Polakowski and George Roop. Both are good stand-up fighters, but George believed he held the edge on the ground. Unfortunately for George a few days before his fight he got a finger jammed into the fence and it injured his hand.

The episode featured John's affection for hugs and George's injury. John is seen in a montage giving hugs to all members of both teams including the coaching staff. Funny to see John try to give Mir a hug. The hugs even get to tough guy Junie Browning, as Junie says that he likes the guy.

George's injury seems pretty bad as his hand swelled pretty huge. Throughout the episode the hand was either submerged in water or being massaged.

The fight started with one of the oddest things I've ever seen, a hug in the ring instead of the glove touch. I don't even want to see the glove touch, so I'm definately not a fan. Save the hugging for after the fight.

Roop was able to land some high kicks while John tries to work punches inside. When stepping forward, Roop is able to get a takedown. Roop then lands ground and pound before getting John's back. John is able to reverse and throw some ground and pound of his own to close out the round. I gave the round to Roop.

In the second, Roop eats some hard straight punches to the face and looks rattled. Roop begins throwing punches with his bad hand and eventually gets the takedown. From there he locks in a body triangle with John's back and rides out the fight. I thought the round was pretty even. The decision comes back for George Roop.

(George Roop pictured)

The final four in each bracket are decided next. Not too many surprises as Junie had previously called out Efrain Escudero and Eliot Marshall called out Ryan Bader. They will be showing two fights in the final two episodes.

LW Match-ups-
Junie Browning(Mir) v. Efrain Escudero(Nog)
George Roop(Mir) v. Phillipe Nover(Nog)

LHW Match-ups-
Eliot Marshall(Mir) v. Ryan Bader(Nog)
Vinny Magalhaes(Mir) v. Krzysztof Soszynski(Mir)

TUF Episode 8 - Oddball Edition

This episode featured a fight between 155 pound fighters Dave Kaplan and Phillipe Nover. What ensued before the fight was one of the more bizarre and crazy displays ever seen on an episode of The Ultimate Fighter.

After seeing a recap of the Vinny Magalhaes victory over Jules Bruchez things go off base. At the house, bored Team Nogueira fighters decide to steal Tom Lawlor's fruit tray. While on the show, fighters can put anything on a wish list for the producers to get. Lawlor keeps asking for his fruit tray, and it is eaten prior to him getting home from practice.

With Lawlor getting more peeved he decides to retaliate. He does so by urinating in his own fruit tray that he recently got. Then Shane Nelson, Vinny and Junie decide to add a little of their own flavor to the tray. On cue, Ryan Bader of Team Nogueira grabs the tray after practice and the team eats it. Lawlor has a good time telling them that there was pee in the tray. While Kyle and Bader don't seem to care, Phillipe is freaking out.

The retailiation, Phillipe has noticed that his sushi he orders keeps getting eaten. Knowing that it is probably Dave Kaplan from Team Mir, he tries to brainstorm a way to get back at him. Kyle Kingsbury figures a good way would be to bust one out on the sushi. Lets just say, Kaplan ate it and threatened to poop in everyone's stuff.

The next Fear Factor like moment came when Phillipe ordered a Filipino and Asian delicacy called Balut for his teammates. It is a fertilized duck egg, just about ready to hatch. Phillipe goes first, eating his Balut and egging on his teammates to try. Of course, Kyle Kingsbury is the first to join in with Bader and others giving it a try. They say it tastes like egg with the dark meat of a chicken.

In between, Junie complains that his team isn't training and tries to give Phillipe some advice going into the bout. If anything, it just gives Phillipe more confidence. Junie is annoyed with Kaplan's self confidence and Kaplan thinking he is smart. Kaplan rattles off capitols of various countries, including Zaire, now known as the Republic of Congo.

Finally, the fight occurs and Phillipe is very impressive. He blasts Kaplan with three unanswered punches, gets the takedown and rear naked choke. Everyone was impressed with his performance, including Dana White, who commented that Phillipe looked like a young version of GSP.

A defeated Dave Kaplan with his eye busted up still thinks he should have won the fight and is a better fighter than Phillipe. To close the show, Mir says, New Zealand, and Kaplan rattles back, Wellington. Now that is deadpan comedy.


Teams are tied with 3 wins each, (Team Mir italics)
Second round LHW- Ryan Bader, Vinny Magalhaes, Eliot Marshall
Second round LW- Phillipe Nover, Efrain Escudero, Junie Browning

Two fights remain in the first round - LHW- Kyle Kingsbury v. Krystof Soszynski and LW- John Polakowski v. George Roop.

TUF Episode 5 - Marshall Law

The fifth episode of The Ultimate Fighter showcased an appearance by one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all-time in Anderson Silva. Watching him hit the pads was intense, knocking pads out of the hands of the holder. The heighth he can put on a kick is remarkable.

Anderson also seemed to run a solid practice from what I saw. John Polakowski remarked that Anderson was the coolest guy ever. I'd agree with that assessment.

Everyone suspected Junie Browning would get booted from the show for jumping the cage fence. However, the NSAC representitive was not present and Junie was saved.

After a couple innocent pranks, the hi-jinx started to get a little out of hand. Team Mir decided to get to Efrain by hiding his underwear in the freezer. While that wasn't bad, the real kicker was putting itching powder in the beds. That got the Team Nogueira to retaliate with putting sardines and sardine oil around Team Mir's beds.

Vinny Magalhaes is not a fan of practical jokes and did not respond well to the fish. He kind of reminded me of Francis from the movie Stripes. "If anyone touches me or my stuff, I'll kill ya." Haha. As everyone except Efrain was sleeping, he ended up with the wraith of Vinny and Vinny peed on his pillow.

After a truce was called, the fight match-up between Eliot Marshall and Shane Primm was announced. The bout was a very short one, as Shane looked apprehensive striking. He then went in for an ill advised superman punch. Marshall countered with a takedown, got Primm's back, and eventually got the rear naked choke.

With Mir's first victory, he will be picking the next 155 pound fight, which was announced at the end of the show as Junie Browning v. Roli Delgado.

*Pic of Eliot Marshall from photobucket

TUF 8 Episode 2

In this episode, the next 8 fighters to enter the house is determined. The episode wastes little time as virtually all we see are the preliminary fights. I was very dissapointed to see the two most experienced 155 pounders fight in the first round. I was also dissapointed to see two of the most experienced 205 pounders fight eachother. Whatever, it is easy to be critical of the UFC.

Westly Murch v. John Polakowski- This was the fight between two interesting characters. Murch is from England making the trip over to represent his country. Polakowski has ADHD and enjoys giving people hugs. After a brief exchange, Murch spent a great deal of time on top of Polakowski. However, Polakowski got in quite a few strikes from the bottom. When they stood up, Murch let loose a snapping low kick, however it was checked by Polakowski. The bell sounded right after that kick and Murch fell to the ground. He was in some serious pain, but came out like a true warrior. However, it didn't take long before he couldn't put any pressure on the leg and went to the ground.

Polakowski, who was very happy wasted no time in giving Big Nog, Dana White and Frank Mir hugs. Frank said that if John was on his team there would have to be a 3 second rule on the hugs.

Sean O'Connell v. Shane Primm- O'Connell spoke about his love of Forrest Griffin and having watched every season of TUF. However, he was simply outmatched by Primm. After taking some knees, O'Connell got a double leg takedown. However he is immediately defending an arm-bar, then a guillitine, then is submitted with a rear naked choke.

Ido Pariente v. Efrain Escudero- This match should have taken place in the semi-finals, not the prelims as these the most experienced of the 155 pounders. Ido was able to get a trip takedown on Efrain, however Efrain soon gets to his feet. Efrain then gets his own takedown and gets Ido's back, securing a rear naked choke victory.

Ryan Lopez v. Tom Lawlor- Lopez is a bounty hunter by day, and fighter by night. While Lopez came out absolutely shredded at 205, he probably should have worked on his technique a little more. Mir talks about how he likes Lopez' raw talent and athletisim. However, this isn't a body building match, it is a fight. Lawlor takes Lopez down, rains down punches and gets a rear naked choke.

Roli Delgado v. George Roop- These two very tall 155 pounders. It was a sloppy fight that was shown pretty in highlight fashion. Roop outworks Delgado and gets the unanimous decision victory.

Ryan Bader v. Kyle Kingsbury- This was a very questionable match-up as they have the 2nd and 3rd highest win totals of any other 205 pounders. Kingsbury was able to get the best of Bader standing landing some punches. However, Bader was able to get some slam takedowns and pushed the pace of the fight. In the second round Bader was able to secure an arm-triangle right before the bell for the submission win. On a side-note, Kingsbury looked good.

Charles Diaz v. Shane Nelson- According to Frank Mir, Diaz was talking a huge game before the fight, hyping himself up. Well, don't believe the hype, as Nelson worked his kicks and overwelmed Diaz taking the unanimous decision.

Eliot Marshall v. Karn Grigoryan- This was actually a pretty entertaining fight, but one in which I thought Marshall should have won in the first two rounds. When there was a third round I was kinda shocked. While in the third, Marshall almost had a triangle, got mount, opened up a cut on Grigoryan, and almost had him finished. By some fluke occurence the judges handed the victory to Grigoriyan. I don't know what they were watchign during the fight, but it wasn't the fight. Those judges have to be reprimanded.

Anyway, it is disclosed that Antwain Britt, who had won in the previous 8 fights, broke his hand and will be out for 6 weeks. That opens the door for Dana to bring back Eliot Marshall. Justice is served I guess.

*On a sidenote- That was one of the worst decisions I have seen in a while. I hope NSAC does something about those judges.

205
Krzysztof Soszynski (15-8, 3-4 IFL)
Ryan Bader (7-0)
Vinicius Magalhaes (2-2)
Eliot Marshall (5-1) replaces Antwain Britt (3-1)
Shane Primm (2-0)
Tom Lawlor (4-1, with DQ loss to Shane Primm)
Jules Bruchez (0-0)
Karn Grigoryan (4-0)

155
Shane Nelson (9-3)
"Junie" Allen Browning (2-0)
Efrain Escudero (10-0)
George Roop (8-3)
Phillipe Nover (5-0)
Brian McLaughlin (5-0, wins in Ring of Combat)
John Polakowski (2-1, all three fights v. Olaf Alfonso, 2 in the WEC)
Dave Kaplan (3-1)

-Looking at those records, I'm sure you can tell why I was a little upset that 205 pounder Kyle Kingsbury at 7-1 didn't get an easier first round fight. Also Ido Pariente at 155 who is 13-4 didn't get an easier fight.