This is the last episode of the season as the tournament winds down to the final two fighters. The finale will be this Saturday night on Spike TV where the TUF 10 winner will be awarded a UFC contract.
We begin with Dana giving his speech from last episode. Dana wasn’t happy that no one stepped up in Matt’s place and Dana said he probably would have given the spot to anyone that did.
Dana talks to Kimbo and Kimbo tells him that he doesn’t want to take another loss. A knee specialist tells Kimbo that he has arthritis in his knee and that is where the pain comes from. Dana is essentially offering Kimbo the shot and Kimbo doesn’t step up. He says that he is 40% and fighting James just wouldn’t be a smart move. He wants to live to fight another day.
Matt talks to the doctor and he says his mind and body are 100%. Matt wants to fight and he will get his chance against James McSweeney. James thinks that both his standup and ground game are far superior to Matt’s so he doesn’t think he will have any problems with Mitrione.
Matt credits his recovery to a good night’s sleep. He admits to milking the injury and using it as a strategy to get James off his game.
Scott Junk says he has been seeing dots in his eye since the Mitrione fight. The doctor tells him that his fight career is over because he has two tears in his retina.
Marcus Jones hears of the news about Junk and flips out at the training center. He gets in Matt’s face and threatens his life. Marcus confesses some pretty violent thoughts in his interview. Rampage comes in to calm the big man down and makes Marcus give him his word that he won’t do anything to Matt. It’s well-known by this point in the season that Marcus Jones is a sensitive giant, but he went too far on this one. Accidents happen in MMA and Matt didn’t intentionally poke Junk in his eye nor did he have intentions of ending his career. Settle down big fella.
Junk comes back to the facility after surgery. He says the doctor says he can resume training in two months. The doctor recommended that Scott not fight anymore but the injury does not effectively end Junk’s career. It’s up to Scott whether he wants to continue fighting or not. My guess is that this doesn’t stop Scott. Marcus is happy his friend is okay. See Marcus, all that woofing for nothing.
Weigh-In
Matt Mitrione 256
James McSweeney 229
James gets in Matt’s face, literally, at the weigh-in. James pushes Matt and the two need to be separated.
Fight Day
Matt travels to the training center alone. The two get psyched up in their dressing rooms before the fight. These two certainly don’t like each other and it makes for a nice little grudge match.
James McSweeney vs. Matt Mitrione
Round 1
James with a leg kick to start. Two missed head kicks from James follow. Matt lands a one-two combo. Right leg kick from James. Matt comes in with a combo and lands a straight right. Front kick from James. Nice right hook from James lands. James misses on some looping punches. Matt catches a kick and lands a hard right. He lands another as James tries to clinch. James is able to trip Matt down but Matt grabs on for a kneebar. James spins out and ends up on top of Matt in side control. Matt tries to get to his feet but James has his neck. James pulls Matt back down in a choke and Matt taps out.
Winner: James McSweeney by submission (guillotine choke)
Dana thinks that James has what it takes to be an ultimate fighter. James and Matt make amends after the fight. Dana gives Matt credit for having heavy hands.
Fight Day
Marcus and Darrill are up next. Marcus is still awed by the sport and this experience. He will feel more validated as a fighter if he can win a second fight. Darrill is confident and will be looking to set up a big right hand. Marcus has still adopted “The Darkness” as his nickname. So am I the only one that prefers “The Gentle Giant?”
Marcus Jones vs. Darrill Schoonover
Round 1
Marcus starts with a leg kick that turns into a clinch. Belly to belly slam from Marcus. Marcus has side control and lands a few rights. Marcus lands some more rights as Darrill tries to find a spot to hide. Marcus grabs an arm and tries to power into a kimura. Darrill gives his back but rolls again and Marcus is in guard. Marcus stands up and stalks a scooting Darrill. Marcus goes back into guard. He grabs Darrill by the neck with his left and drops hammers with his right like Wanderlei did to Jardine. Darrill gets hit with some good shots. Marcus starts throwing both hands and Darrill is out.
Winner: Marcus Jones by KO
Everyone from the coaches to the fighters to Dana White are impressed with Marcus Jones. It is the first loss and first knockout for Darrill. He says he won’t let the loss discourage him and plans to come back even harder.
Semifinal Announcement
Dana has already made the fight selections. They will be scheduled for three 5 minute rounds:
Roy Nelson vs. James McSweeney
Brendan Schaub vs. Marcus Jones
Seems like it’s been a while since Rampage and Rashad have got into it. So this is the perfect time for another showdown in the hallway. It starts innocently enough and escalates into serious trash talk again. Hey, this would be a pretty good buildup for a fight between the two. Someone call Joe Silva. Let’s make this fight happen.
Rampage hopes that Marcus can win so it will validate Rampage’s season as a coach. Rampage wants
Team Rampage comes out with their final prank for Team Rashad. They paint their dressing room pink, put pink stuffed animals everywhere and a disco ball. Rampage hopes this will be the one prank that sets Team Rashad off. To this point, Team Rashad has laughed off everything Rampage has done.
Zak continues to get picked on at the house but that is just his demeanor. Some guys wish he would stand up for himself a little more. James is especially harsh on Zak and Zak says that James is one of the guys in the house that he doesn’t care for. Zak is nice even when he’s saying he doesn’t like someone.
Team Rashad sees the Pink Room and has a good laugh. Rashad doesn’t get upset by the redecorating, but he’s obviously a little disappointed. Rampage said that Rashad’s nickname of “Sugar” is fitting because if he likes this room setup then he must be a little sweet.
Zak is using the bathroom and James decides to wedge the door so Zak can’t open it. Zak gets claustrophobic and starts freaking out. He rushes at James and starts throwing punches. James throws a leg kick and grabs him in a guillotine to calm him down. Zak says that James is a prostitute’s used douchebag. Well. James is actually proud of Zak for standing up to someone but James has a contract to win and doesn’t want to lose his opportunity in this squabble. Zak is now Roy’s #1 fan.
Fight Day
Roy sees his fight with James as him vs. Team Rashad. Coach Wittman goes all Nipsy Russell on fight day and gives both men motivational poems. Where has this been all season?
Roy Nelson vs. James McSweeney
Round 1
Roy charges with punches but James sidesteps. James misses an overhand right. Both men are trying to land knockout rights less than a minute into the three-round fight. Roy shoots and James grabs a guillotine. James has his back against the cage. He lets go of the choke and the two break away in an exchange of punches that miss. James lands a nice jab. James is taunting Roy a bit, calling for Roy to hit him. Roy lands a good shot and James backs off. Roy shoots in and takes James down. Roy works for a crucifix, similar to when he finished Kimbo. Roy starts hammering lefts, again just like in the Kimbo fight, and the referee has no choice but to stop the fight. If MMA fighters had finishing maneuvers, Roy Nelson has found his.
Winner: Roy Nelson by TKO
Dana gives Roy some props and said that he was finally impressed with his performance. James is disappointed after the loss. Roy Nelson advances to the finals, this Saturday on Spike TV.
Brendan isn’t worried about Marcus’ wrestling and says he will be more confident in his standup and more willing to let his hands go.
Rampage and Rashad meet again in the training center. All things seem to be ending with chivalry until Rashad calls Rampage a bitch. Rampage doesn’t like it and they get in each other’s face. They honestly look like they might kiss for a second. Rampage keeps repeating the same two phrases for about three minutes. Apparently, Rampage wants Rashad to treat him like a bitch. Has anyone called Joe Silva yet? These two really should have a fight with each other. I’m surprised no one has thought of this before.
Rampage is nervous for Marcus’ fight with Brendan. Rampage wants Marcus to win so he can wipe the smirk off of Rashad’s face. Rampage says he feels pressure as a coach.
Fight Day
Marcus is proud of himself and wants to prove he is a good fighter. Brendan plans to stick and move while Marcus plans to ground and pound. Neither man sees the fight lasting very long. Team Rashad has pinned up green sheets to cover up the pink walls that Team Rampage put in their dressing room.
Marcus Jones vs. Brendan Schaub
Round 1
James lands a right but Marcus smothers him to the ground. Marcus is on top and moves to side control. Brendan tries to buck out of it. Marcus stuffs it. Brendan gets half guard but it doesn’t last long as Marcus moves into full mount. Brendan grabs Marcus and does a good job of not letting him get off. Brendan scrambles to his feet and into a clinch on the cage. Marcus lands a big knee that causes separation. Brendan regroups and lands a big right that knocks Marcus down. Brendan goes in for the kill and rains down punches. Marcus is out and the ref calls the fight.
Winner: Brendan Schaub by KO
Rashad is happy that Team Rampage has been shut out of the finals. Rashad does, however, feel bad for Marcus.
Marcus says that today may be his last day fighting. That seems like an odd statement from someone that seemed to have so much passion for the sport.
Brendan takes on Roy in the finals, this Saturday on Spike TV. Roy is happy that Brendan made it to the final because he became friends with him. Dana summarizes the season by saying you never know what’s going to happen.
TUF 10 Finale, Saturday Dec 5
Roy Nelson takes on Brendan Schaub for the UFC contract. Also, Matt Hamill takes on Jon Jones in a light heavyweight bout. Marcus Jones apparently didn’t retire, because he will fight Matt Mitrione at the Finale. Also scheduled for the Finale will be Kimbo Slice vs. Houston Alexander. Don’t expect that one to last very long.
