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The Ultimate Fighter 7: Episode Two or "I Wonder If He's Still Eating Through a Straw?"
As the newest installment of The Ultimate Fighter show began, the next sixteen fighters that step up and stake their claim in the house were being reminded of the dog-eat-dog situation they were in. Win or go home was the order of the day that Dana White had for these gentlemen with eight more fast paced match-ups, or so called "coach evaluations". As the camera switched over to locker room footage of the first two combatants taping up, one could not even guess the magnitude of punishment set to be dealt this particular evening. I myself even stood corrected in a prediction made last week in my first edition!
The first bout of the night would set Dan Simmler, a self-proclaimed pro jiu-jitsu player, against Matthew Riddle, both men holding 1-0 records in professional MMA. As the men gave commentary on themselves and their intentions, Simmler struck me as almost Gracie-esque in his attitude and overall calm, cool collectedness. But this would soon prove detrimental and would not benefit the outcome of the fight, for him at least. The round began with body shots from Riddle with Simmler pulling guard. Riddle would gladly jump into the ground game, guns blazing. After Simmler scrambled, both men seemed to be in a stare-down with Simmler eventually pulling guard, once again. Riddle would put forth a brutal bombardment from the top, but would not gain any solid connections. After another scramble to the feet, there was quite a bit of clinch work that for the time it lasted, reminded me of one of those Greek mosaics that you see sometimes! Riddle pushes Simmler against the cage and he goes for a single-leg takedown, but Simmler would arise quickly, answering with a solid knee to Riddles face! After more clinching, Simmler would show the world how he was ready to check out even in the first round by chilling in the turtle guard for considerably longer than anyone should ever stay in it. Simmler made no real attempt at scrambling in my opinion. Deciding to stand, Simmler was immediately taken down into closed guard with Riddle raining down solid blows from the top. The round would close with a decent up-kick attempt from Simmler. Round 2 would begin with ONE OF THE MOST BRUTALLY INSANE KNOCKOUTS I HAVE EVER SEEN on the show, or anywhere for that matter! Although there have been many great ones, this one takes the cake, in my book! It was a lead hand right hook with Riddle in southpaw stance that made Simmler's legs become instantly limp, followed up by two solid hammer-fists directly to the sweet spot. The looks on the faces of Dana, Forrest and Rampage were the epitome of speechless. To me it is quite a moment in MMA when you see these three men who have seen, dealt out, as well as dealt with some of the worst brutality the sport has to offer, with an extreme look of shock and concern on their faces. And what a moment it was. As Simmler lay motionless on the ground, moaning in pain and uttering what seemed to be incoherent profanity, even his opponent seemed to be concerned for his well being. But this soon dissipated once Simmler had arisen and began to hobble away with a broken jaw! So it is Riddle who gets the victory and a bed in Vegas for the K.O. of the millennium.
As the second fight was gearing up to begin, my mind was on one thing, and that was how intense this season will be. NO PUSSIES ALLOWED, THIS TIME AROUND, and it will definitely be shocking if anyone decides to leave the house this season, indeed. This next fight would have Patrick Schultz of Boston, Massachusetts and Luke Zachrich of Cincinnati, Ohio standing across the cage from one another. Both men touch gloves with an immediate look of intent to exchange fists. Schultz would make a take down with Zachrich scrambling to once again be taken down. Zachrich would then make a reversal, then grinding his elbow into Schultz's face and throwing shots, then posturing up letting 'em fly and landing some vicious blows. Zachrich would then take Schultz's back securing a rear-naked choke that took a bit to sink in, but all in all earning him the victory.
The third elimination fight this week would have Tim Credeur and Erik Charles facing off for their spot. Charles shoots in for a takedown, with Credeur ending up on top. Charles working his guard would soon see it passed by Credeur, into side-control, rolling into an arm-bar that would be well defended by Charles, but to no avail. Tim Credeur of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana earns the submission victory.
Fight number four would be a short one, with Brandon Sene taking on Aaron Meisner. The fight began with a takedown by Sene. After a nice try at an arm-bar from Meisner, Sene would pass to side-control, rolling Meisner right into a rear-naked choke. That allowing Brandon Sene to be declared the victor by tap-out.
Mike Marrello would be up next to square off with Gerald Harris. This was another short fight that would see Harris taking down Marrello and systematically picking him apart to earn a very impressive win.
Next up was Daniel Cramer vs. Jeremiah Riggs. Riggs would come out shooting in taking Cramer down and pushing him against the cage, making him become stationary. Then passing to mount, Riggs would take Cramer's back, with Cramer escaping back into guard, which was soon passed yet again. With Riggs delivering more punishment, Cramer would attempt to take the backdoor out; he would then land an illegal up-kick, which would stop the match briefly. Once again in control, Riggs would take Cramer's back with him posturing up to escape the submission attempt, but once again winding up mounted by Riggs, who was once again all over the situation. Riggs would earn the unanimous decision. Cramer's lost point proving to be neither good nor bad as Riggs certainly earned his win by using his own tremendous skills.
Nick Rossborough and Jesse Taylor would be the next set of contenders ready to throw hands. Round one began with a series of takedowns and scrambling with Taylor passing back and forth from half guard to mount several times. Landing strikes, Taylor would force Rossborough to roll, leaving his neck wide open for a rather lack luster rear-choke from Taylor (who is obviously not a submission grappler), earning him the win.
The final fight of the night and last elimination bout of the season's 2-part premier would have Josh Hall and Matt Brown squaring off in the world famous Octagon. Both men coming in with great attitudes in my opinion, I personally thought Hall seemed the more confident of the two, but confidence doesn't always win a fight. Both fighters would come out hands ready to be thrown. Soon after Hall would do a wrestling clinch, pushing Brown into the cage and holding him there for a time. With strikes from both combatants in the clinch, they would then both make some impressive exchanges. After a brief stare-down, Brown would clinch and execute a beautiful hip throw. Hall would work the guard while Brown, posturing up, would land some strikes. With Hall still working guard, he would have a decent attempt at a triangle choke while again almost being stationary on the cage, but this would be well defended. In the end it would be Matt Brown pounding out the T.K.O.
In a closing thought, I will first stand corrected about my premonition as to the formerly foreshadowed K.O. in last weeks edition. I certainly was not expecting it this week, but it was definitely appreciated. What will be in store in the coming weeks? I myself will not like waiting till next week's installment of The Ultimate Fighter, but I am a man of virtue and will remain patient. Next the 16 combatants, all deserving and well worthy of being in the house, will settle into their temporary abode. What kind of chaos and mayhem will ensue, and will there be anyone forced to leave? These questions will all be answered here and on your TV screen in the forthcoming episodes so STAY TUNED!
by Joshua E. Ottley a.k.a. OttO "The Saxon Battle Axe"
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