TUF 9, Ep 7 - USA Downward Spiral

Team USA did not look good in this episode, despite coach Dan Henderson destroying Michael Bisping in a tennis match and pocketing $10,000. The $1,500 for each guy on Team USA would not be enough to lift everyone's spirits.

At the house, Jason Pierce comes off like this season's Captain Miserable, aka Charles McCarthy from Season 4. Pierce trains on his own and doesn't like taking direction, disenfects the house after Whitson gets Impatago, and complains about his hurt foot. When Jason Dent realizes some guys are talking trash in the downstairs room it adds to his frustration.

After the fight announcement of Ross Pearson v. Richie Whitson, they cut to Richie celebrating his birthday. On that night, it appears Cameron Dollar is having yet another meltdown. He misses his family and friends and is homesick. Dan Henderson lets Dollar know that it is ok to feel that way, but wants him to relax and eat a piece of cake.

During the fight of Whitson v. Pearson, Whitson does not look like the fighter who won his first fight. He looks slower, taking wilder punches, and getting into bad situations. After missed kicks, Pearson nearly gets Whitson's back. Whitson is able to get back up on most occasions, but the last one results in an arm-bar. Team UK is now dominating with a 4-2 lead and only 2 fights to go.

Next week we will see Jason Pierce v. David Faulkner or Jason Dent v. Jeff Lawson. Due to extreme foreshadowing seen on the show, there is a possibility Jason Pierce won't fight. If that is the case, expect Mark Miller to take his spot. Faulkner injued his leg in this episode during a sledgehammer drill but should be fine. Andre Winner put the sledge through the mats during this episode.

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

Strikeforce Saturday!

Strikeforce's big time debut on Showtime will be this Saturday night featuring a headliner bout of WW Champ Jake Shields v. MW Champ Robbie Lawler. The main card fights look very solid, while the undercard has three big names in Cavalcante, Kyle and Woodley. Here is the line-up:

Robbie Lawler vs. Jake Shields- This match will feature two very contrasting styles. 170 pound BJJ blackbelt Jake Shields is an accomplished grappler that will look to get the fight to the ground as soon as possible. Lawler will try KO Shields on his feet while defending the takedown.

Elite XC WW champ Jake Shields (22-4) has been on a serious roll with an 11 fight win streak. Jake has victories over Yushin Okami, Paul Daley, Nick Thompson, Carlos Condit and Dave Menne in his career.

(Jake Shields pictured)

Elite XC's MW Champ Robbie Lawler (16-4) will be looking for a KO while standing and when Shields attempts taking him down. Lawler has serious knockout power, as 13 of his victories have come via KO/TKO. Lawler has victories over Scott Smith, Joey Villasenor, Frank Trigg and Ninja Rua.

(Robbie Lawler pictured)

Andrei Arlovski vs. Brett Rogers- Former UFC HW champ Arlovski will have his hands full against rising undefeated up and comer Rogers. Rogers is a massive 6'5" 265 pounds and have at least 30 pounds on Arlovski. Arlovski will need to utilize his quickness and precision boxing against Rogers brawling.

Andrei Arlovski (15-6) was on a five fight win streak, winning 3 in the UFC, and two over IFL stars Ben Rothwell and Roy Nelson before he met the best in the world. Arlovski defeated Tim Sylvia for the UFC HW title and defended twice over Paul Buentello and Justin Eilers. Arlovski also has wins over Ian Freeman, Vladimir Matyushenko and Marcio Cruz.

(Andrei Arlovski pictured)

Brett Rogers (9-0) had his biggest test on an April Strikeforce card against Ron Humphrey (5-0 at the time), TKO'ing him with knees in the second round. All of Rogers other fights were ended in the first round, including KO's over Bully Beatdown's Jon Murphy and Prive vet James Thompson. Rogers will have to use his heavy hands to KO Arlovski.

(Brett Rogers pictured)

Nick Diaz vs. Scott Smith
Phil Baroni vs. Joe Riggs
Kevin Randleman vs. Mike Whitehead

PRELIMINARY CARD

Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante vs. Mike Kyle- swing bout
Josh Bumgarner vs. Jesse Finney
Tyron Woodley vs. Sal Woods- Woodley All-American wrestler
Lucas Lopes vs. Scott Ventimiglia
Pat Benson vs. Dave Cochran
Booker DeRousse vs. James Wade

WEC 41 Preview

This Sunday will feature and awesome WEC card with Urijah Faber facing Mike Thomas Brown in a rematch. In the previous fight, Urijah Faber attempting a spinning back elbow, only to be punched in the jaw by Brown. With Urijah stunned, it was all Brown from that point.

The line-up looks like this:

MAIN CARD

Mike Thomas Brown vs. Urijah Faber- This is a five round fight for the featherweight title. After defeating Faber for the title, Brown (21-4, 3-0 WEC) went on to destroy Leonard Garcia. In Brown's other WEC fight, he won a decision over Jeff Curran. Brown will look to use his size and strength advantage over Faber, utilizing his reach and neutralizing Faber's takedowns.

(Mike Brown pictured)

Urijah Faber is the previous WEC featherweight champ, winning the belt over Cole Escovedo, and defending five times. Urijah is an explosive grappler, with good striking and a never ending gas tank. He has career victories over Jeff Curran, Jens Pulver, Chance Farrar and Bibiano Fernandes.

(Urijah Faber pictured)

Jose Aldo vs. Cub Swanson
Donald Cerrone vs. James Krause
Josh Grispi vs. Jens Pulver

PRELIMINARY CARD

John Franchi vs. Manny Gamburyan
Kyle Dietz vs. Charlie Valencia
Mike Campbell vs. Anthony Pettis
Antonio Banuelos vs. Scott Jorgensen
Frank Gomez vs. Noah Thomas
Seth Dikun vs. Rolando Perez

Video of the Day - Noah Thomas

Here is Noah Thomas v. Robert Densley from WFC which took place on 9/2/06. Noah Thomas had a rough run on TUF 5 under coach BJ Penn. He was eliminated off the bat by Manny Gamburyan, got roughed up by coach Tony DeSouza, then kicked off the show for fighting Marlon Sims in the backyard.

Since TUF wrapped, Noah has won 3 straight, 7 overall, and dropped from 155 to 135 pounds. The decision has suited him well, as he is slated to make his WEC debut next month.

Video of the Day - Awad v. Garijo

Here is an awesome fight between Saad Awad and Diego Garijo in the Bellator Fighting Championships.

Mark Hunt vs. Semmy Schilt K1

Here is an epic K1 Kickboxing clash between two of the biggest fighters around. The 6'11" Schilt is one of K1 best fighters of all-time sporting a kickboxing record around (28-3). Semmy's kickboxing titles include the 2007 K-1 World GP Champion, 2007 K-1 Super Heavyweight Champion, 2006 K-1 World GP Champion, 2005 K-1 World GP Champion.

In mma, Semmy sports a (25-14) record with his highlight being the 9th King of Pancrase with a victory over Yuki Kondo, then defending against Yoshiki Takahashi and Osami Shibuya. Schilt has also fought twice for the UFC defeating Pete Williams and losing to Josh Barnett.

Mark Hunt is another K1 star sporting a (29-12) kickboxing record. His kickboxing career was highlighted with a 2001 K1 World Grand Prix championship. Hunt is known for his granite chin and extra girth. While Hunt is only (5-4) in mma, he has fought only top tier opponents, beating Wanderlei Silva, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipović, and Tsuyoshi Kohsaka.

Video of the Day - Wanderlei Silva

Here is Wanderlei Silva v. Sean Bormet from IVC 2: A Question of Pride which took place on 9/15/97.