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The Ultimate Fighter 7: Episode Three
I would just like to begin by making a couple corrections to last week's edition. First, it was 3 solid shots to Simmler's "sweet spot" (instead of 2), while on the ground that most likely caused his injury. Also, the major mistake that I had made is that Gerald Harris did not win by T.K.O. stoppage; it was a well-deserved decision victory for him.
Once again this week the anticipation had reached its boiling point and as the hype would suggest, this weeks installment of the ongoing TUF saga would not disappoint by any stretch of the imagination. Coming in, the commercials would make it seem quite certain that someone's bed in the house would become vacant. As I prepared to let my wrist relax for a regular episode (as opposed to covering 8 fights in one hour), my gut instinct would tell me to keep a hawk-eye on the entire situation.
Rampage would win the initial coin toss this time around, and he would opt to choose the first fighter, choosing CB "The Doberman" Dollaway as his first pick. This meant that Forrest would be the first to receive "the hammer" which, as all die hard TUF fans should know, refers to the power to pick the fight in that particular week. As usual, the weigh-ins would take place on Thursday and the fights would take place on the following day, on Friday.
After the teams were chosen and situated accordingly, I had expected it to cut straight to the coaches giving their respective, pre-training pep talks. But, this was definitely not the case. As Rampage pointed out a strange rash on the neck of Paul Bradley, concern as to what it was and if it was contagious began to loom on everyone's minds on Team Rampage. Leading into the commercial break we would hear these same teammates of Paul Bradley, cracking jokes about the strange infection, as well as voicing their concerns about contracting the possibly spreadable skin condition. Bradley would have to visit a dermatologist and friend to Dana, Jason Michaels, who would also voice the same concerns about Bradley transmitting his cold sore to the other competitors on the show, as it was most definitely contagious. After what was said to be a daylong debate, Dana would make the decision with the others involved to send Paul Bradley home. As the emotional Bradley was reduced to tears and pleading with Dana to let him stay, the decision was final; the health risks were far too great.
As we saw Team Forrest in their first training session together, Coach Griffin would inform us all of how he will never be a coach in normal life, but will do his best to run a so-called "training camp". As the cameras quickly cut back to Team Rampage, Coach Quinton would explain to his trainees that Bradley was forced to leave to due to "cooties".
This season, it would seem like once again, everyone would get his fair share of the spotlight/camera attention, but who would be the most outspoken on camera was yet to be seen. But moving on in the hour, it would seem like a previous hunch that I had was being proven. So far, Mike Dolce would be the one to voice his opinions the most, on this episode at least. As we viewed the TUF members settling into their new abode, Rampage would be stopping in to create a connection between himself and the members of his team. This would show a first sign of who would have the better overall coaching skills and, as always, the champ would be amusing all with his jokes and light-hearted demeanor.
As we prepared for Forrest to pick the first fight, one could only wonder whom he would pit against each other to kick off the regular season. These thoughts were soon laid to rest, as he picked Mike Dolce to square off against Jesse Taylor in the Octagon. Remaining outspoken, the camera would focus on Dolce, seeming somewhat concerned about fighting twice in one week and giving his own brief autobiography. Dolce also boldly stated that Taylor was Team Forrest's "sacrificial lamb". But as we all know, talking on camera does not win fights, and neither does pure K.O. power every time.
As the fight was gearing up to begin, Dolce would come into the Octagon with a battle cry. We would also find out that the winner of the match would receive $5000 courtesy of the shows biggest sponsor. Round 1 would begin with Dolce being immediately taken down, and giving away his back, narrowly escaping a solid choke attempt by Taylor. Rolling again to escape the bottom position, Dolce would once again find himself struggling to defend the rear-choke by Taylor. This would happen once or twice more in the round as well. Taylor still on top, with every intention of making Dolce pay dearly with pain, would put forth a vicious attack, but would end up on the bottom. Taylor didn't stay there for long as he would execute a sweep. Taylor would pass to side-control, grinding elbows into Dolce's face, but Dolce would once again defend in half guard and persevere until the end of the round. Round 2 would begin with a look of determination from both individuals squaring off. But once again, Dolce would be taken down with Taylor falling into his guard. Dolce would attempt to work his guard but to no avail, as Taylor passed into side-control and then went into the mount. Dolce would give his back yet again to escape the brutal bombardment of Taylor. This time Dolce would not be so lucky, succumbing to one of the least impressive chokes that I've ever seen, but a powerful submission nevertheless. Taylor's hand would be raised, as Dolce took the spotlight voicing his personal disappointment.
So, for the first time ever, My TUF winner prediction is wrong and in the first week no less. This fight is a prime example of how you can't just rely on brute strength and K.O. power. The ground game is a huge factor, and you need it to succeed in this great sport of Mixed Martial Arts. If I had to pick a winner, now that Dolce is out (unless by some circumstances he's allowed back), I would have to say either May, Riddle or CB Dollaway. These men are the toughest ones remaining in the house in my opinion, and once again I can't wait to see what next week has in store for us on The Ultimate Fighter.
by Joshua E. Ottley a.k.a. OttO "The Saxon Battle Axe"
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