“The Ultimate Fighter Live” (18/05/12) results and discussion
The eleventh episode of “The Ultimate Fighter Live” went down just hours ago from Las Vegas, Nevada featuring the usual mix of pre-recorded action from the house from this past week and the live fight from the gym to decide who’s taking one step closer to the reality show crown. Check out the results of the fight after the break and don’t forget to discuss what you saw go down both in and out of the octagon in the comments section below.
A brief recap of last weeks fights takes place but it doesn’t take long to skip through. First up tonight will be Team Faber’s Chris Saunders vs. Team Cruz’s Vinc Pichel. Urijah Faber believes his man has what it takes despite being the last pick of the draft eleven weeks ago. Saunders is shown back at the house struggling with his emotions due to a rocky past. He talks it over with Andy Ogle in an effort to keep things in check.
Next we look at Pichel who is working with Dominick Cruz on his strategy for the fight, focusing on his opponents preference for a kicking attack. Pichel wants to take the fight to deep water, but he’s not ruling out a quick finish, either.
It’s go time for the first fight of the night…
Pichel takes the center of the cage early, but he does give Saunders enough room to kick. That changes 30 seconds in, and Pichel looks to shoot in for a takedown. Saunders defends and spins off the cage, winding up in top position when they hit the floor in a scramble. Saunders looks to posture and strike. Pichel uses the fence and works to his feet. Saunders initially stays tied to the back but decides to walk away and reset. Jabs traded before Pichel drops for a single. It’s not there, but a second effort finally gets the fight to the ground. However, Saunders immediately sweeps over and stands. Final minute of a close opening round. Pichel moving forward but not landing much more than his opponent. Round ends there. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Pichel.
Similar start to the second, but Pichel shoots earlier this time around. Saunders just as capable in defense this time around, and he stays on his feet. Saunders lands a knee to the jaw, but Pichel continues to press in. He scores a takedown, but Saunders again will not stay on the floor and immediately stands, moving to the back. Saunders looks for his own takedown, and Pichel’s nose is bleeding. Saunders can’t get the takedown, and it’s a stalemate in the clinch. It’s definitely the grinding fight Cruz wanted. They finally separate, and Pichel goes to town with a flurry of crisp punches. Saunders feels it, but he recovers quickly. Still, he lets Pichel get inside. Final minute, and Saunders again scrambles out. This time, he gets his hooks in and takes the back. He’s too high and slips off. They finish the round swinging, and Pichel again gets the best of it. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Pichel.
Final result: Vinc Pichel, majority decision (20-18, 20-18, 19-19).
More tapped content and Faber gets his two men, Al Iaquinta and Andy Ogle, ready to square off with each other inside the octagon. He decides the team needs to work together throughout the week and that he’ll back out of the preparations. The coaches for each man will be determined at the last possible moment in order to preserve the unity of the team during the week of preparation.
Ogle believes he’s improved more than any fighter in the house and Faber agrees he’s been a big surprise. Iaquinta is a massive favourite and one of the best members of Team Faber. He looks to be VERY serious in the interviews.
We’re back with the second quarter final featuring Iaquinta and Ogle and here we go…
Iaquinta takes the center and looks willing to trade early. The gym is very quiet with teammates facing off. Ogle is circling outside, looking for angles. Kicks are traded. Iaquinta hangs his hands a bit but lands with kicks to the body and a nice overhand right. Ogle struggling to find his range in the early going, and Iaquinta using leg kicks to keep him at bay. Ogle firing heavy shots from the outside, looking to score big. Iaquinta staying tight and scoring points. Iaquinta’s kicks remain very effective. Ogle finally lands a crisp combination, but Iaquinta answers back and puts his opponent on the deck. Iaquinta rushes in to finish. He doesn’t do it on the floor, but when Ogle stands, he’s decked by a huge punch that ends the fight. A hammerfist follows, but that’s it. Nasty right, and Mazzagatti steps in.
Final result: Al Iaquinta, (T)KO, 1st round.
So one fighter from either team has progressed to the semi-final stage tonight, joining Team Faber’s Michael Chiesa and Team Cruz’s James Vick. UFC President, Dana White announces the matchups as Vick vs. Chiesa and Pichel vs. Iaquinta. They’ll all face off next week leaving just two fighters remaining for this season’s title as “The Ultimate Fighter.”
There’s also the matter of Faber. White announces Faber will compete for an interim bantamweight belt against Renan Barao, who is in the building for a staredown.
By Michael Pepper. (Follow me on Twitter)
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