Hey fight fans, we’re coming off a live card on Fox Sports 1 leading into a new international season of “The Ultimate Fighter.” I’ll be covering the show, as always, but this season we’re going to do something different. We’re going to cover this season, live as it happens, with the usual cheeky look at the UFC’s staple program.
I’m your host, probably the only person in the MMA Media who’s seen every episode of every season (including the international versions). I’ll be guiding you live through the show as it happens. Feel free to hit me up on Twitter @ScottSawitz to chat about the show live, as well, and if you have something funnier or wittier than me I’ll make sure to throw it in here. Check back with us live at 9pm CST as we do a live recap.
I’ll say coming in that I’m actually a bit more excited for this season than the usual TUF Season because this is a season filled with a ton of pretty solid prospects. Canada and Australia may not have a natural rivalry like some countries do but I’ll give Zuffa credit; they’ve raided both territories for some really good fighters this season.
And it looks like we’ll have a bit of a late start to the show as Rockhold/Philippou is just starting. Odds are it’ll run over the broadcast length.
Or maybe not. We’ll be starting prompt at 9pm CST after all as Rockhold notches the first round TKO.
We get an internationally themed opening as we get UFC memories of both Canadian and Australian fighters.
All 16 fighters are brought into the UFC training facility and we get general introductions to Patrick Cote and Kyle Noke. No fight in matches for this season, as all of them were selected from tryouts.
Coin Flip for the first fight. Canada wins and announcement will be made later.
Money terms are dictated. 25k for FOTS, SOTS and KOTS as well as a 5k finish bonus.
General introductions and we get the usual “this is such an opportunity” discussions from members of both sides. Lots of guys looking at this as their one shot and it’s reinforced by Cote, a TUF Finalist in his own right.
Two guys are in their mid 30s and everyone else in their 20s on Team Australia. Some good chemistry from the Aussies, or so they say. Team Canada really likes each other as well.
Some Canadian staples are in the house. They’ve got an air hockey game instead of a pool table and a moose head on the wall. It looks like a log cabin and not the Nevada house, which gives it an interesting vibe to it.
Team Canada has a number of teammates from Tri-Star, apparently, as we’re starting with the adjustment phase to the house. Team Australia is gassed from the plane ride over … Team Canada not so much. First fight will be announced. Dana White gives us his TUF Nations “Do you want to be a fighter?” speech.
Kajan Johnson vs. Brendan O’Reilly is our first fight. Usual speeches from both sides on why their guy should win. Johnson and O’Reilly don’t have tough cuts to make 170. Everyone’s excited as it should be a pretty good fight.
Johnson hasn’t fought in a couple years because of an eye injury. Apparently he had double vision that needed surgical correction.
Training session time.
Cote wants his team to be a team and help each other in training. So far Cote really seems to be into coaching. It’s nice to see that side of him; if this season does anything it could potentially give us a look at Cote as the sort of Canadian legend he really is. Team Canada thinks they’re going to take the season as they don’t think Team Australia is as skilled; tough but not as skilled.
Noke has Israel Martinez, one of the best MMA wrestling coaches out there. He’s worked with Clay Guida, Jon Jones and a lot of high profile guys in the UFC. The sessions focuses on O’Reilly as he talks about what he enjoys about fighting.
We get some trash talk from Team Canada as Team Australia isn’t a fan of their talks. Thin walls and no doors leave little privacy, it seems. Team Australia is fired up from this, as well. Team Canada has a clear experience edge this season as Team Australia is really rough on the edges based on their career length (on paper).
Johnson came into the show hurt with a multitude of injuries. He also grew up wanting to be a ninja and this is as close as it could get for him. Johnson’s been around forever and he’ll neither come out looking like a killer getting his due … or like Roxanne Modafferi in being the old guard getting their one shot for historical purposes.
Weigh-ins and both guys make weight. Neither guy is a massive welterweight, fighting at a weight class above what they probably will fight at in the UFC (if they make it in).
Pre-fight rituals as Johnson does some meditation type stuffs with grass and smoke. O’Reilly gets a light workout with his team to prep for his fight. Johnson is singing aloud, which annoys the Australian.
And now it’s fight time as both guys are in the cage when we come back from commercial.
Round 1: O’Reilly sets a TUF record by bleeding within the first 10 seconds as he’s hellbent from a takedown. He ends up getting it and Johnson rolls for a kneebar. O’Reilly fights out of it and Johnson pins him against the cage. O’Reilly working for a switch and Johnson uses it to grab back. O’Reilly plays hand control and stands up, trying to shuck him off, as Johnson clings to his back. O’Reilly gets away but th edamage is done. Johnson lands some clean strikes and O’Reilly stumbles on a takedown, Johnson smoothly onto back and grabs a rear naked. O’Reilly taps and we’ve got ourselves a winner.
Kajan Johnson wins via submission (rear naked choke, 1st). He pockets 5k as well for the finish and sets himself up for the submission of the season if no one else gets a tap for the rest of the show.
Post fight breakdowns from both sides and we get to see Team Canada celebrating. Team Australia is a bit down.
Next matchup: Elias Theodurou vs. Zein Saliba
Season highlights are shown.
Quick and Dirty Discussion: This was a strong start to the season as there’s a ton of talent and could be a good, under the radar season. This reminds me a lot of Season 17 in terms of talent and coaches; we could have something special here.
