Episode five of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9 gets underway with a brief recap of Nick Osipczak’s surprising knockout win over Mark Miller. Bisping reminds us that it was Team US who picked the fight and had it blow up in their face.
A long van ride back for the stateside boys as they try to figure out why the opposing team is so cohesive and they are a Motley crew. Cameron Dollar declares his independence from the group and Damarques concedes that their team is anything but.
Dollar then decides to prove how cool he is by telling some of the guys by the pool that he’s humped over 70 girls. When they react with a sense of apathy, he raises the stakes by admitting that one of the lucky 70 was his best friend’s bride-to-be.
So much for “Bro’s before Ho’s.”
Team US keeps with the tired mantra “I’m not here to make friends, I’m just here to win fights.” You know, because it’s always worked so well in the past.
Fight selection and Team UK is in control picking Andre Winner to face Santino DeFranco. Bisping is confident that Winner won’t be outstruck or taken down. Hendo disagrees.
Winner rolls around with Bisping to prep for the fight and the team erupts when he is able to secure a takedown on “The Count.” Bisping blames it on his own coaching that made Winner good enough to pull it off.
Training session for the Brits and Winner likes to get paid to fight as well as feed his competitive spirit. DeFranco refreshes our memory about his TUF 2 tryout that resulted in brain surgery and the end of mixed martial arts. He defied the odds to come back and had a thrilling come-from-behind win in episode two.
Fight day is here and DeFranco tries to convince himself he’s going to win by screaming “I’m the champ!” ad nauseam. Winner finds the idea of losing to be kind of amusing.
Lightweight elimination fight #1: Andre Winner (9-2-1) vs. Santino DeFranco (13-4)
Round 1: Low kick by DeFranco. Body shot by Winner. DeFranco shoots and gets denied. An exchange of low kicks. Again. Sloppy shoot by DeFranco rejected. Winner with a punch-kick combo. Low kick by Winner. Returned by DeFranco. Nice body shot by Winner. DeFranco shoots and Winner flops on top and gets mount. DeFranco tries to do his best BJ Penn impersonation by working an Omplata. He can’t secure it and Winner breaks free and starts to unload bombs onto a fetal DeFranco. This continues with no defense and Mazz jumps in for the stoppage.
Andre Winner defeats Santino DeFranco via TKO (strikes)
After the fight, Hendo looks for some consoling words and finds none. DeFranco calls himself an idiot. Winner and Team UK celebrate like they just won two straight from a baffled Team US, probably because they did.
Back at the house Team US starts to unravel and we even get a gratuitous Kriss-Kross wiggity-whack reference from Jason Dent. 10 out of 10 for that one.
Hendo takes his team for a run and starts fantasy matchmaking – until Jason Pierce decides he can’t beat anybody on Team UK. They pile into the van and start bickering like a bunch of insecure sixth graders. As an American rooting for his homeland, it’s a sad sight to see.
Hendo comes in for the save with a Rah-Rah speech that is delivered in the same monotone delivery he says everything else in. It doesn’t resonate but at least it shuts them up for a few minutes.
The Brits attribute their bond to a complete lack of egos. They are shown having fun, getting along, basically all the things that Team US can’t seem to get a handle on.
We get our second fight announcement of the episode and Hendo chooses Damarques Johnson to try and stop the bleeding by taking on Dean Amasinger. Bisping warns that this fight is hardly a lock for Team US.
Dean is reminded to be weary of the triangle choke, which Johnson uses and Dean is susceptible to. Dean is all smiles during training and even hits a Hulkamaniac pose for his fans overseas.
Johnson on the other hand seems content to just bounce around the cage by himself. He assures the viewers he’s not there to rape and pillage anyone and then prays for God to give him the strength to whoop some ass.
Dean has his back shaved before the fight. Those Brits, they’re so polite. Bisping is inexplicably absent from the locker room as he gets ready and it puts a damper on Dean’s fighting spirit. Dean seems way too kind and gentle to be a fighter.
Welterweight elimination fight #2: Damarques Johnson (13-6) vs. Dean Amasinger (4-1)
Round 1: Hard low kick by Amasinger. Then another but Johnson catches it and Amasinger slips. They get back up and Amasinger shoots and gets him down but Johnson takes an arm with him. Amasinger escapes the kimura and takes mount. Unfortunately he also takes a walk down Triangle lane and gets tapped for his efforts.
Damarques Johnson defeats Dean Amasinger vis submission (triangle choke)
Following the fight, Team US figures Bisping was MIA because he knew his fighter would lose and that he was avoiding the inevitable. Amasinger has a meltdown in the locker room and even I started to get aggravated that Bisping was a no-show.
Stay tuned next week as Bisping tries to atone for his absence, Team US grows further apart and we’re treated to another two-fight episode!
See you in seven!
49 Comments »
jesus am i the only loser watching this right now…. fuckin’ a i need a new hobby
hey guys, there seems to be some confusion on the suite for 101. For anyone who has been in a suite or box for any sporting event, they are all different. These are not the typical enclosed suites you generally get for football games. These are lower level suites. They are just above the first level of seating, and are not enclosed. There are 12 seats and a place in back with seats, tv’s and a food/beverage spread. They are perfectly situated to see over the cage, but not the typical nose bleed luxury boxes. I read that some guys want to be “with the crowd.” Believe me, these are worth it! Go to your local civic center and look at the top of the lower level, thats where they are. So if you’re gonna drop 300-400 on a seat and then buy beer and food, you might as well come enjoy the show with other maniacs in the suite. once again, my email is
kevjack115@yahoo.com
email me with any questions. There are 5 or 6 seats left. I put a security deposit in today, so we have first right of refusal! go to wachovia center web site for pictures and views from the suite!
400 bucks for ticket and all you can eat/drink?
hopefully! suite seats 12, sales rep said prices aren’t out yet, ncaa tourney was 10k for 3 games, he thinks UFC will be 4-6k
yeah, I have sat in these suites at the wacovia center for numerous Flyers and sixers game and the view is amazing. Like Kevin said, it really is the perfect location to view the fight because it’s at the top of the 1st level, and like he pointed out is not enclosed. We will basically be able to see right over the cage and catch all the action. The suites are great and are the perfect location to view this mega event from!
What a bunch of mismatches. No wonder they had two fights in this episode.
I like Damarques Johnson’s attitude. He is trying to establish some solidarity even though it seems hopeless at this point.
But really, who cares? Its an individual contract and everyone has to fight each other anyway so this whole unity thing is just an angle to sell the show.
As long as they realize that they have to work togther to get better and prepare, they don’t have to like each other or hold hands and sing the Star Spangled Banner.
Team USA is already sounding like a bunch of cry babies. I wish they’d grow up!!!!
Ya it’s embarrassing to watch, and I’m not even American. I would probably rather hang with the UK team too haha
I’m a die hard American Soldier and I’m embarrassed with the way team USA acts. I’d hang out with team UK. They seem more mature.
its like they said “hey lets round up the biggest pussies so we can make america look like shit”. i smell conspiracy.
LOL, yeah, an American network featuring an American company in an American city is trying to make the Americans look bad… good stuff man.
i think outside of demarques the us may not have a chance.
off topic: james irvin is hurt and fight with drew mcfedries is cancelled– comes from mmaweekly– what do you guys think they should add to the main card now?
Nate “Rock” Quarry vs Drew McFedries
Its also a rematch of both guys’ very first pro MMA fights. Nate won by TKO (exhaustion)
Oh, and I really don’t like Damarques. I did like Cameron at the start, but dammit. The guy is rubbing me the wrong way now. The only Americans I like are Dent and Shaun White, and he hasn’t even said anything yet.
I like a few of the UK guys, Stapleton seems ok, and Winner seems alright. But UK is def not as much as a baby as the rest of team US.
That’s a nice fight, Synster. I thought maybe they’d just promote the Larson/Wilson fight. I’ll take Nate, and you gotta wonder how much longer McFedries has in the UFC.
I also think it’s interesting that there are no fights scheduled for Fight Night 19 yet. I guess they’re waiting for the results of the next couple PPVs before they set the match-ups.
Somewhere, Jared is shrieking in rage.
you called it!!! damnit james has to wait another year to fight!!! shit im pissed!!!! but im not going to lie the quarry replacement is good, it will still be the slugfest we all want to see. but damn why james irvin!!!
is quarry being the replacement official?
Also, I did not get to watch last nights episode…but I have seen Winner fight a couple of times and I thought he was one of the favorites to win the show….did he look it last night?
Jesse: Im reading your recap about the second fight and you wrote that Amasinger mounted Demarques and then got triangled….is that even possible? HOw do you triangle choke a mounted opponent? Jesse or anyone else that watched the episode, please shed some light onto this for me. THanks boys!
Im American, and I have watched all the episodes minus last nights, and its not even close…Im rooting for team UK all the way. They seem to really respect what a great opportunity the show is, and I like the way they carry themselves and respect the sport…not to mention I think p4p they are the better fighters in the house.
War team uK!!!
I would like to see Winner vs D Johnson. That looks like a good match up in the house IMO.
WAR UK!!
Hey John. Amasinger did not mount him, he was in full guard and got triangled. And you’re spot on about team UK. They do seem really enthused about this opportunity. Not just to hit the big time, but to do well representing their country and earn respect for the Brits as MMA fighters. I know I sound like a conspiracy theorist, but I can’t help but think somehow team USA is purposefully a mediocre fight crew! Team UK however, is not! I don’t care where a fighter is from, I’m a fan of MMA. I’m here to root for the real warriors of the sport. And we can all see which team most of them are on!
thanks for clearing that up for me…and Team UK looks by far way better…maybe thats just because not a lot of Brits make it to the bigstage and there are a lot of undiscovered Gems over in the UK that the American public dont know about.
Im with you all the way on your last statement…I dont care if you come from Mars, entertain me, and I am a fan!
im predicting before it starts…. its gonna suck. enough said
first one of the season i’ve watched and it’s not living up the the hype of country vs country it’s USvsUS not uk
finally a USA win, damn how does that make you feel when your coach doesnt show up for your fight. How disrespectful of bisping was that. If i were Dana i’d be pissed that he didnt show up
Yeah whats up with Bisping not showing?
Definitely, I would be pissed if I was that guy. Last thing you need entering a fight is a distraction like that from someone that is supposed to be giving you support. I hope for Bisping’s case that he has a good excuse.
Bisping must have latched on to a fine piece of Vegas ass for the afternoon, and decided it was more fun than watching Baldhawk get caught in a triangle for the 134th time that week.
bisping wont have an excuse and we know it, him not showing up for the fight is gonna be the demise of the UK team and Team USA is gonna start tearing it up after getting that first win
i dont like jason dent and peirce there little bitches
cant hate a guy that took out a browning disaster
I’m glad to see there’s a bit more focus on the training and preparation than usual.
and i hate andre winner more then all of them lol,” theve never seen a striker like me in the US” i laughed so hard when i herd that after the first episode, i think andre threw like 3 punches while the fight was standing.
and jason peirce is a joke, and jason dent complains that the us team is bitchin and moanin and he does it more then everyone else
i was sad and pissed that the americans would represent this country and act like a bunch of crying bitches,
I think Demarques and Shaun White, AKA Richie, are the only U.S. dudes who can roll and who are takin’ this seriously. Santino has heart and is serious too, but it was sad to see him get pounded today and he is nowhere near the level of a UFC-calibur fighter. Dollar is a chump, Dent has a big mouth, Pierce is a joke with weight issues, Miller got his head darn near kicked off…..and that other guy, uh, well, he might be able to roll too and we’ve barely heard from him just like White. His name slips my tongue but I think he’s the one who darn near ripped Kiel Ried’s arm off in episode 3. But overall, bad representation from Team U.S.
santino is too soft, scared of contact.
Yeah, he seems to fold when he gets hit on the ground. Almost cost him the fight in episode 2. New name could be Fetal Santino. Ouch, but true.
Maybe I’m the only on, but I like Demarques Johnson. I hope he wins welterweight.
yeah your the only one.
I still say 2 people from every country that is active in MMA.
Japan, Russia, Canada, USA, UK, Australia,Brazil, Mainland Europe (France, Germany or Holland.)
Make it truly international
I think dean was defintatly the Uk’s weakest member, im looking foward to seeing Ross Pearson…he’s an animal!
Worst season yet…nothing exciting at all and the american team is purely retarded..that one skater looking homo needs to be beat with a baseball bat…I cant stand looking at his face and his retarded looped earings…
Typical American whiny little bitches…go Team UK!
Decent episode, though I’m worried about the quality of fighters this series as next week is another with 2 fights so they won’t last long.
I can’t believe Bisping didn’t show up for Dean’s fight, that is unprofessional and inexcusable, even Shamrock never no showed a fight. I’m a big Bisping fan but that was shameful. That being said, I can’t belive Dean got caught in a triangle again, surely his coaches would have worked on defending the triangles. I don’t like Damarques but he’s a good fighter and I wouldn’t be suprised if he wins.
Team US looked like idiots in this episode, whining and arguing like teenage girls, it was pathetic. That Cameron guy is the worst of the lot, he dresses like Brian Harvey from East 17 and bullshits more than Marlon Sims. On the other hand, Team UK have looked good so far and despite their set back at the end I’m confident that they can do us proud. I think Andre Winner, Jeff Lawson and Ross Pearson are our best chances of winning this year and Damarques and Richie will be the ones to beat.
“Ive humped like 70 – 80 Girls” – Cameron Dollar is a chump. He got destroyed in his prelim bout and got out with a choke.
Santino is garbage, Jason Dent is garbage, Cameron is garbage. The entire US team sucks. We have 155ers in our gym that would drop all those guys. I am ashamed.
Dude i train over at torres martial arts in indiana…and not one of those guys could hang with anyone thats a fighter out of that gym… I am not fighter..i just do it for fun, but the US team picked for this show just sucks man!!! Really sucks..UK team doesnt impress me much either..this season is a wash…i am still gonna watch unless locked up abroad is on at the sametime on natgeo..
Cameron Dollar is a douchebag.
The End.
I think Bisping didn’t show up because his team couldn’t choose the matchup for that fight, even thought his team had won the last fight. Winner chooses the next fight, right? But I think Dana got scared that US fighter would look too bad by losing again three in a row, so he changed the rules and Bisping protested by not showin’ up. Who knows…
Yeah, they had to change the rules so the US could get a win, what bull***t. And they still had to pick their best fighter against what they thought was the UK’s weakest. I don’t blame Bisping for not turning up, I wouldn’t stand there and listen to any gloat from the U.S team when they basically had to cheat to get a win.