As always we’re back with the recap of the UFC’s flagship show, “The Ultimate Fighter.” Otherwise known as the thing you watch instead of “South Park” or “The League” because you just need a mid week fix of MMA in the spring. Considering we had a fairly lackluster card right before this … I can’t imagine you wanting more MMA at this point. Me, I’m pretty good with MMA right now but obligations are obligations right?
Duke and Pennington nearly fought on the regional scene many moons ago, apparently, but Duke’s camp pulled out because of Duke’s lack of experience. Both wanted the fight and now they get it. Time for some character building, as we get to learn about each fighter.
Julianna Pena really likes giving makeovers, as Pennington and Sarah Moras gets made up and walks around in heels. She talks about her sexuality a bit, Pennington that is, as struggling to come out was a big to do apparently. Pennington is 3-3 and her highest profile fight was a resounding loss to Cat Zingano. So far her career trajectory seems to be that of a journeyman. Not surprised she’d be invited to try out and get a fight in for the house, though. She has some talent and is a blood and guts type fighter, which is usually good enough to get some eyeballs.
They go to the Green Valley Ranch to watch an unspecified fight card. Rousey and Tate don’t get into any drama this time, apparently, as Ronda endorses Herb Dean and John McCarthy as great referees.
Duke uses the opportunity to stay home and visualize, et al. She was a model/actress for a while, apparently, and fighting allows her to be her. Acting/modeling didn’t allow that, apparently. She doesn’t have a ton of experience coming into TUF, with only three fights to her record. A cynic would argue that her looks outweighed her relative lack of experience inside the cage.
Anthony Gutierrez gets drunk and acts like a douche-nozzle, thus keeping up the TUF streak of at least one fighter engaging in obnoxious antics while under the influence of alcohol. More shenanigans ensue, of course, as this is a total “Real World: TUF House” episode of this season.
And now it’s time for tonight’s fight, which has been hyped significantly by the UFC in the past week.
Jessamyn Duke vs. Raquel Pennington .
Round 1: I’d go 10-9 Duke on this … wild brawl, Duke nearly caught her with a nice guillotine early. Not a great fight, though … this is an ok brawl at best. WAY overhyped.
Round 2: Some more wild brawling but still not all that great of a fight. Sloppy brawls are still sloppy brawls, yo. 10-9 Pennington on my card, 19-19, as she did just enough.
The judges agree, thus we’re going to a third round.
Round 3: More average, sloppy brawling from both of them. I almost fell asleep, honestly … in any other season we’d have called it a sloppy brawl you can see on a regional show every day of the week between two fighters who won’t be in the UFC. I went 10-9 Duke, the judges scored it for Pennington. Not surprising. Close round and fight, even if it’s going to be completely overblown as the Griffin/Bonner of WMMA in the near future.
Team Tate has the hammer and we’ve got our matchup for next week.
Matchup: Josh Hill vs. Michael Wooten
