All season long, we, The Ultimate Fighter fans, have had to endure lackluster fight after lackluster fight. You'd wait all episode just to watch some amateur step into the octagon and put on the weakest MMA display possible and then have to wait an entire to weak to see it all over again. I'm not sure, but maybe Dana White took all this into account when he scheduled a 2 hour, 4 fight, finale. The odds are with a finale like that, it would have to be entertaining.
The episode starts off with the drama of who is going to fight James McSweeney. As much as everyone on the planet wanted to see Kimbo step in for Mitrione, he told Dana that he couldn't live with fighting at less than 100%. I think the world was shocked that the meanest, nastiest dude on the planet decides not to fight because he doesn't want to get a cortisone shot for his arthritis. Of all ailments, that is one that can be dealt with for a fight. Mitrione on the other hand, decides he is ready to fight. He says that he was cleared by the doctor, but Rashad and everyone else knows that it never had anything to do with the doctor. Mitrione fighting excites McSweeney, who seems to hate meathead.
Now for the biggest overreaction in TV history. Scott Junk finds out that during his fight with Mitrione he sustained an injury to his retina that may force him to never fight again. He discloses this to his team and Marcus Jones for whatever reason in the universe, decides to freak out on Mitrione for inflicting the damage. On the verge of tears, Marcus needs to be restrained from going after Mitrione because he wants to seek vengeance. The levels of absurdity for this are off the charts. It doesn't take an MMA enthusiast to realize that there are risks when stepping into the octagon to fight. And now with Marcus overreacting, he becomes just another idiot on the show. Instead of TUF Heavyweights, this season should've been called TUF:The Hardest Guys to Root for on the Planet.
With 4 fights, I wont spend too much time dissecting them. In the first fight, Mitrione starts off tentative with McSweeney but manages to land a few heavy punches while McSweeney lands a few leg kicks. They trade for a couple of minutes until Mitrione ends up on his back. He tries an ankle lock to no avail and then, like the amateur he is, he tries standing up while his head is in McSweeney's grasp. He ends up in a guillotine choke, and within a split second, Mitrione got his hand out and couldn't wait to tap.
In the second fight, Marcus "overreacting" Jones took on Darrill "titties" Schoonover. This fight was over before it even started. Schoonover is on his back in 15 seconds, and Marcus gets him in the crucifix position and then imposes his will. "Imposes his will" has to be the funniest way to describe a fight. It sounds so brutal and final. And in this case it was. The first chance Schoonover gets to stand up, he inexplicably tries to shoot on Marcus. Marcus gets in full mount, throws some bombs, and the fight is over. This is Schoonovers first MMA loss. That is hard to believe on so many levels.
The semifinal fights are announced and they are Roy Nelson vs. James McSweeney and Brendan Schaub vs. Marcus Jones. After the announcements, Rashad and Rampage tangle in their weekly face off confrontation. As usual, this entails both guys repeating themselves about 25 times before someone breaks them up. Yawn.
I am so happy for the Roy Nelson/James McSweeney fight because it gave us the opportunity to hear the assistant coach Trevor utter the following pre-fight words to McSweeney.
"The past has gone, the future will come.
The most important part is the present. It is a gift that is why they call it the present.
When you were in your room getting your hands wrapped up tight,
you are ready for this bag ass fight.
You fell much lighter, are you ready to be the ultimate fighter?
Keep your focus, this isn't hocus pocus."
Now that we have heard the queerest fight prep-talk ever, onto the fight.
McSweeney comes out looking great against Nelson. He is fast and accurate, landing several jabs and ducking out of Nelsons counters. He gets him in a choke and Roy slips out of it. He starts gaining confidence after a few big punches and decides to taunt Roy midway through the first round and Roy lands a heavy right and then takes McSweeney down. He traps his arm, and unable to escape all the weight and fat in the world, McSweeney has to lay helpless as Nelson starts landing punches until the fight is stopped. He taunted a bit too early I guess.
After another Rashad/Rampage clash where Rampage tells Rashad to "make me act like a bitch" it is time for the final fight of the episode. The fight between Marcus and Brendan starts with Marcus immediately taking Schaub to the mat. Marcus actually ends up in full mount, but doesn't capitalize. To be honest, I thought Schaub would never get out because Marcus is such a big guy. But surprisingly, Scahaub gets to his feet and starts teeing off. He knocks Marcus down with a huge shot and then lands several punches that get Rosenthal to step in and stop the fight.
So its all set for the finale this Saturday. Roy Nelson versus Brendan Schaub, with Nelson as a big favorite. Stay tuned for predictions.
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