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By Jesse Holland
Round two of the quarterfinals featuring Gray vs. Brandon begins with a brief recap of the Cole/Lauzon fight before getting right to a Team Pulver training session where Brandon suffers from yet another sore extremity.
He also appears to be breaking down mentally from being sequestered in the house for so long. In the booth he slams everyone from Coach Pulver to his fellow team members.
In fact he’s so sick of Jens inspirational style of coaching he gets into a contentious tête-à-tête with the man himself.
Jens apparently doesn’t like playing second fiddle to an Airdyne and Brandon doesn’t like playing, period. Jens dismisses the severity of the sore hand by informing the viewing audience that he broke the same hand fourteen times.
I guess Jens went to the Marlon Sims school of mathematics.
He then tries to reach Brandon’s inner altar boy by rubbing his head and calling him “Son” but Brandon just hides his face and later talks more trash in the interview booth.
Brandon wants to defect to Team Penn and decides that honesty is the best policy. He confronts Jens and Andy. Yes Andy, who is now the Danny Abbadi to Brandon’s Matt Hamill.
Brandon tells Jens he wants to train with Team Penn – but only for the experience. He neglects to mention all the hatred he was spewing into the camera behind his back. So much for the honesty policy!
Jens is having none of it and tells Brandon he’ll bleed yellow for the entire six weeks. Brandon nods in agreement and they embrace. WTF? I am Brandon, Antipodes Rex.
On the other end of the spectrum we have Gray Maynard kicking it into high gear for Team Penn. Although they have a history of training together, I was still pleased to see them hard-sparring.
I know conventional wisdom says the day before a fight you’re supposed to put away your gloves, turn out the lights and climb back into your mother’s womb, but watching a gamer like Gray laugh in the face of potential injury was refreshing to say the least.
Or maybe I was just tired of hearing about Brandon’s sore hand.
BJ rewards Gray’s efforts with a surprise visit from UFC Heavyweight champion Randy “The Natural” Couture. My favorite part of the entire segment was watching The Master speak as the entire cast – BJ included – watched in complete silence.
Or was that awe? Name another UFC fighter who commands that kind of respect.
An interesting piece of trivia for this season: Randy Couture’s first stint as commentator was during Penn/Pulver 1.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Cole and Nate are feeling a little frisky and have a punk-off. First, Nate slaps Cole in his sleep with (cue the Goldberg voice) 4 OZ. GLOVES.
Cole responds in a disturbing manner by stabbing an innocent piñata to death and dumping its carcass on Nate’s bed. A little confetti shower and Nate is ready to rumble.
They take it outside and roll around on the grass like a couple of precocious squirrels. Nate takes it to the next level and throws Cole’s bed into the pool and whaddaya know, Cole does the same.
This little exchange reminds me of that old Bugs Bunny cartoon where Bugs and Marvin Martian face off. Each take turns pulling out weapons of increasing size and capacity until the world explodes.
Speaking of exploding worlds, does anyone else remember that classic Frankie Goes to Hollywood video Two Tribes where they have Reagan and Gorbachev pit fighting?
Sorry, I got a little off topic. I guess Brandon isn’t the only one who’s mentally fatigued by this whole experience.
Anyhow, Nate and Cole call a truce (sleeping in the pool will do that to you) but I guess Nate had his fingers crossed because at 3am he douses Cole with ice water and has Manny “Antique” him (Step 1: Wet mark; Step 2: Cover him with baby powder).
Boys will be boys!
It’s the day of the weigh-ins (finally) and Brandon is anxious about making weight. He refuses to become the next Gabe and enlists Andy to help him gut it out in the sauna. Andy is happy to oblige and actually does an adequate job of keeping him focused.
BJ is concerned that Gray is overtraining and but doesn’t dwell on it. We get the requisite predictions from each fighter and no surprise – they both think they’re going to win. Randy is at ringside and I wonder if that will put any additional pressure on Gray.
Round one is underway and Gray immediately shoots and gets the takedown. Brandon has wrist control and gets to his feet. Gray takes it back down and looks for the rear naked choke.
Brandon’s in a little trouble but rolls out of it and gets top position. Gray escapes and shoots again. Brandon has an arm and is working for a kimura but Gray finds a way out of it.
Back on their feet, Gray gets another takedown. Gray is controlling the fight. Brandon rolls and keeps himself out of danger. Back up, right back down. Lots of action in round one but the guys look gassed at the 0:45 mark.
They get back to their feet and the horn sounds just as Gray gets Brandon down to the mat.
In between rounds Gray is really sucking wind. Brandon looks a little more together. They come back out and Brandon goes for a flying knee. Gray evades and cracks him one.
Brandon tries all kinds of funky moves and Gray has seen enough. He shoots and gets the takedown but looks completely winded.
Brandon scores a nice reversal and starts dropping some bombs from the top. Gray reverses and lands a limp hammer fist. Brandon’s bleeding above the eye.
Back on their feet, a spent Gray shoots in slow motion and gets caught in a guillotine. Gray’s wincing but finds a way out. He drops back in and almost gets triangled. Gray spins and secures a deep guillotine forcing Brandon to tap.
Overall it was a great fight. Dana White said it best: “It was up, down, all over the place.” Gray gets back to the locker room and collapses from exhaustion.
BJ calls his performance less than what it could have been and again mentions overtraining as a possible cause.
Brandon is disappointed but well composed and happy that he put up a fight. I can say with great certainty that he’s not the only one. I wasn’t expecting much from Brandon so this performance was a pleasant surprise.
Whether or not it had more to do with Gray being wound too tight or Brandon being a better fighter than I thought is irrelevant. The fight was fast-paced and exciting. A few more of these and this season might just redeem itself after all.
Stay tuned next week as we get two fights in one episode (hold for applause). Nate takes on Corey (but not before defecting to Team Penn) and Manny calls in cousin Karo for help against Wiman’s good looks.
See you then!
May 31st, 2007
49 Comments »
“Or was that awe? Name another UFC fighter who commands that kind of respect.”
Ross Pointon.
I actually am sitting here in anticipation for next week’s bout between Nate and Corey. I really am. WTF is wrong with me?
This season for me at least, outside of tonite, is definetly lacking. At least this show did not seem so over the top with drama and had a great fight. Installed my faith with the show, for one week anyways.
[quote comment=”70147″]”Or was that awe? Name another UFC fighter who commands that kind of respect.”
Ross Pointon.
I actually am sitting here in anticipation for next week’s bout between Nate and Corey. I really am. WTF is wrong with me?[/quote]
because you think it might be good? i think id rather fight corey than weems
i really thought gray was gonna win this thing before i saw that fight. now i dont know. guess ill just pick who i want to win and call it nate.
kind of off topic but i listened to Gabe on sherdog radio a couple weeks back and he said that Wiman was kicked off/asked to leave Hermes Francas Armory and it was that reason Gabe and him didnt get along doesn anyone know why he left because when Wiman made his UFC debut he was with the armory now hes with tulsa top team
anyone know why???
Maynard did good.
It was an all around good fight tonight, with a good end of the fight submission. I am definitely still (and even more so now) thinking that Diaz vs Louzon will make the final bout. I hope Diaz takes it all the way, but Louzon will probably take it.
[quote comment=”70147″]
I actually am sitting here in anticipation for next week’s bout between Nate and Corey. I really am. WTF is wrong with me?[/quote]
Same Here!!
Later
Chris Valentine
Anyone see Pride: Decade yet?
[quote comment=”70175″]Anyone see Pride: Decade yet?[/quote]
not yet why?
Gray isn’t very bright, taking on B.J. so close to fight time. I thought he gassed pretty early too. I think training with Jens gives the fighters better cardio, but training with BJ gave Gray the final edge. Gray will be the weakest of the final four.
It’s all irrelevant because Joe “The Giant Killer” Lauzon is ringside taking notes on all these guys. Corey will be destroyed by Nate Diaz. The best fight next week is Matt vs Manny. I’ll go with Matt. In the end Joe stands alone.
I almost wish they would treat the preliminary rounds like they do with the untelevised undercard in PPV events: if there is something worth watching out of the eight fights, show it. Maybe one out of the eight so far would be worthy? Frankly, I don’t remember any of them being interesting.
Wasn’t it just last week three guys were kicked off the show for f’ing around in the courtyard. Dana delivered his speech about how disgusted he was with their behavior. So this week Diaz and Cole are scrapping and they didn’t seem too concerned about the house rules. Maybe they sense White wouldn’t kick out the better fighters and he was just talking out his ass last week?
I dont know guys, Manny is a pitbull. I cant wait to see Karo on the show next week either. I would say its close but Joe didnt really show he had the umph to take cole out.
I think if you stick manny in with any of em and he will twist em like a ragdoll.
He and Cory are the two extremes in size. Cory is gonna get schooled.
White set it up so pulver looks good going in and Bj looks good on the home stretch.
I actually thought last nights fight was good, I was surprised Gray couldnt finish it on the ground. Mendez looked pretty good on the ground and had lots of gas.
Anyhow it looks wicked for next week, things are getting good (Finally)
[quote comment=”70220″]I dont know guys, Manny is a pitbull. I cant wait to see Karo on the show next week either. I would say its close but Joe didnt really show he had the umph to take cole out.
I think if you stick manny in with any of em and he will twist em like a ragdoll.
He and Cory are the two extremes in size. Cory is gonna get schooled.
White set it up so pulver looks good going in and Bj looks good on the home stretch.
I actually thought last nights fight was good, I was surprised Gray couldnt finish it on the ground. Mendez looked pretty good on the ground and had lots of gas.
Anyhow it looks wicked for next week, things are getting good (Finally)[/quote]
i got manny too. at least against wiman. wiman was tough against fisher though for a while. we will just have to see. i really think joe is a lil bit overrated. cole is just so liitle and joe wouldnt have ko’d him had he not blasted him in the back of the head. nate bjj should be way ahead of coles and his striking is a hellava lot better. think he will handle joe if thats what it comes down to.
Sorry Gasmanshad,Joe would have knocked Cole out half way through round two, by referee stoppage, in Joe’s corner with B.J. screaming at the top of his lungs,”Finish him Joe!”. This would be after seriously damaging the front and sides of Cole’s skull with pile-driving elbows.
That elbow that Joe threw to the back of Cole’s head was a blunder, but it was the lightest blow that Joe threw the whole fight. I still believe that Cole was loopy before that illegal elbow. Either way he’s lucky he has an excuse for his loss.
Anyone who doesn’t believe Joe “The Giant Killer” Lauzon will stand alone at the end of this hasn’t seen the video compilation of his past fights.
Last night’s episode I give it *** for the fight itself..Brandon vs Jens Drama..I thought in the fight Brandon showed alot of his heart to get in their and let all hang out. Gray won the first round..was controling the second round..when Brandon Flips things and put Gray in a bad position..for Gray to reverse it and shortly end it with a submission..The preview of next weeks show is intresting casue Nate doesn’t want to train with Corey..in which I think is understandable..I don’t want to train with to prepare for a fight against the guy I’m going fight. I want to see how that one pans out.
[quote comment=”70181″][quote comment=”70175″]Anyone see Pride: Decade yet?[/quote]
not yet why?[/quote]
Very good show. Typical Pride production, top quality. Great story of how it all started, why it succeeded, and some neat behind the scenes stuff.
[quote post=”2290″]So this week Diaz and Cole are scrapping [/quote]
Um, I thougth they were just f—ing around. They weren’t “fighting” dude.
I think the show and the fights have been getting better … it’s too bad it got such a bum wrap early on. Much of that is due in large part to all the preseason hype that I’m not sure any season could live up to. The last two episodes and fights have been solid in my opinion. I’m not sure what these guys need to do to impress some viewers. It should continue to get better, especially with the Wiman-Gamburyan fight on the horizon, as well as the Diaz-Hill showdown. I’m looking forward to them. The guys that are left are solid. I’m not so sure about Hill — Diaz seems like he’d have an easy time latching onto one of those long and inexperienced limbs and making him tap.
My favorite part of the entire segment was watching The Master speak as the entire cast — BJ included — watched in complete silence.
Or was that awe? Name another UFC fighter who commands that kind of respect.
Guys let me ask you a question. I have to admit that I am pretty new to MMA and while I think Couture is bad ass, what is with all the worshiping? Please dont interpet this question as being disrespectful to him, I am really just curious? What is the awe with him?
[quote comment=”70269″]My favorite part of the entire segment was watching The Master speak as the entire cast — BJ included — watched in complete silence.
Or was that awe? Name another UFC fighter who commands that kind of respect.
Guys let me ask you a question. I have to admit that I am pretty new to MMA and while I think Couture is bad ass, what is with all the worshiping? Please dont interpet this question as being disrespectful to him, I am really just curious? What is the awe with him?[/quote]
-Age
Age, attitude
nice fight, i was impressed by brendon’s submission defense. didn’t expect him to have any. i’m gonna take manny to win it all, he is a beast.
I would be awe in Randy’s presence too..He is the first UFC fighter to give The Phenom a loss..He won the UFC light heavy weight title 2X..he won the heavy weight UFC title 3x..last time being at 43 yrs old..When he fights, trains, teaches, speaks, I feel he is cut form a different clothe than most poeple. He is a hall of famer..I kind of compare the way I looked at jordan in his golden years..I’m a New Yorker..and I didn’t like him that much in the beginning..but in time grew to respect and admire his personna and abilities to improve himself and his teammates..that is what the Natural transends into the MMA world..he sets the bar to what a champion is..his always improving himself as a person/fighter and the people around benefit from that.
[quote post=”2290″]What is the awe with him? [/quote]
He has an S on his chest under his T-Shirt.
He beat Chuck Norris.
He made the Oracle at Delphi retire.
When Randy does push-ups, he doesnt push up, he pushes the earth down.
http://www.guzer.com/videos/chuck_norris_facts.php
For your morning humor. Good way to start the day.
What is the awe with Randy? He’s been around a long time. He has been counted out so many times, and risen to the occasion and won. He is a complete class act who supports his country. He is a GREAT commentator. He is a GREAT teacher of MMA. No one has ever said a bad word about him, no one, and I’m a lower level insider in this sport. I doubt Jesse or Mania has ever heard a bad word. He just beat Tim Sylvia for the HW title at age 43, after everyone counted him out. He’s Captain America, man.
[quote post=”2290″]..he sets the bar to what a champion is..[/quote]
Amen.
[quote]What is the awe with him? [/quote]
He’s on TUF and isn’t sobbing. That makes him the man this season.
[quote comment=”70147″]”Or was that awe? Name another UFC fighter who commands that kind of respect.”
Ross Pointon.
I actually am sitting here in anticipation for next week’s bout between Nate and Corey. I really am. WTF is wrong with me?[/quote]
It’s not respect or awe, it’s just people trying to understand what the hell he’s saying.
House shenanigans aside, I think this was the best episode yet. It’s amazing how good the show is when you get two good fighters going at it.
Yo Jesse!
Dude, great write up.
10 bonus points for your tête-à-tête reference and 10 more for antipode. 20 for Marvin Martian and 50 for FGH. OMG, I’m cracking up.
Keep the peace!
Checking back in from Queens and I couldnt have been more thrilled at last night’s ending. Gray Maynard was my pick from day 1.
I have to say that many of these guys on the show are not and did not take full advantage of this opporunity that they had. One would think that being in that kind of position, you would be extremely grateful. In fact, alot of these guys came off or simply are candy ass cry babies and yes I would say that to their faces because its the truth.
Brandon Melendez wined before his first bout on the show and didnt wanna injure himself. In sports, you push through injuries and thats it. Train hard and suck it up, your in a privileged position so dont bitch to Jens Pulver about your condition just to train at a lighter level. Others who did not take advantage of this great opportunity were Andy Wang, Marlon Sims and Noah.
Back to those who matter, My final four are still alive in Joe Lauzon, Gray Maynard, Nate Diaz, and Matt Wiman.
I see Dana, BJ, and Jens sitting down and discussin the possible match ups and this is what results in the semi finals
Joe Lauzon versus Nate Diaz - I think Lauzon edges out a win with a third round being needed.
That leaves us with Gray Maynard versus Matt Wiman and WHEN the fight goes to the ground which it will, I think Gray will pound out a victory.
Finals : Joe Lauzon versus Gray Maynard : too close to call but Im rooting for Gray
[quote post=”2290″]Back to those who matter, My final four are still alive in Joe Lauzon, Gray Maynard, Nate Diaz, and Matt Wiman.[/quote]
I think everyone on this site picked these four, guy. They were the only ones of any real talent. I think a couple ppl picked The Mental Midget because of name recognition. Oh, and Corey Hill had his entire High School post on how he was gonna win the whole thing. Did they all know he was lying the whole time? I’m still going with Corey’s new nickname, Compound. Cause after next week, that’s what your going to see.
Did someone recorded it or can someone please tell me where i can watch this fight please. need to know what happen.
What about Nick Diaz.. Why doesnt he come in to help Nate train? When does he get back to his UFC ways..
Love Nick Diaz.
I was impressed with gray last night, he has what it takes to win this whole thing, his stamina could be better, maybe cutting the weight was too much for him, I don’t know. Wiman impressed me with his fight against fisher, he was totally dominating for the first part, then gets kneed and its over, he’ll definitely give Manny a run for his money. Manny may be more compact and stronger but Wiman seems more technical and a better fighter, I guess we’ll find out next week, I’m predicting it’ll be a good one.
[quote post=”2290″] Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou
Jun 1st, 2007 at 10:04 am Quote this comment
What about Nick Diaz.. Why doesnt he come in to help Nate train? When does he get back to his UFC ways..
Love Nick Diaz. [/quote]
I’m just gonna start calling myself Bas Rutten and typing with a Danish accent.
“Or was that awe? Name another UFC fighter who commands that kind of respect.”
he was coaching them of course they’re going to stop talking, ive never met a coach that likes being interrupted or has an open discussion policy.
Since TUF is all about up and comers, Luke Thomas over on Bloody Elbow has a great recap and cool video about the upcoming Boucher v Mathis bout at UFC 75. To quote the man himself, it’s gonna set the MMA world on fire.
Before you watch, my take on it is that while Boucher is the more devastating striker, he’s coming off a 2 year layoff with family problems. Mathis is sick on the ground, but has a questionable chin.
So in a classic grappler/bjj guy vs a pound for pound world cl-ass striker, I’m going with Mathis via Triple Decker Pecker Wrecker. But that’s just me, you decide for yourself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kbdhXmJtjQ
[quote comment=”70147″]I actually am sitting here in anticipation for next week’s bout between Nate and Corey. I really am. WTF is wrong with me?[/quote]
THe same reason I am. Corey is a goon and doesn’t really belong there. I respect his heart and all, but if he had fought anyone else that made it to the second round, he would lose that fight as well. He is definitely the weakest links.
[quote comment=”70346″]”Or was that awe? Name another UFC fighter who commands that kind of respect.”
he was coaching them of course they’re going to stop talking, ive never met a coach that likes being interrupted or has an open discussion policy.[/quote]
I guess you missed the Ken Shamrock experiment from Season 3…not every coach gets their props…and by that token not every coach deserves them…
this week sucked. more crying, and more pranking/rolling around. Next week might actually be decent. This season isn’t as good as those of the past. Hopefully next season is better.
[quote comment=”70459″]Since TUF is all about up and comers, Luke Thomas over on Bloody Elbow has a great recap and cool video about the upcoming Boucher v Mathis bout at UFC 75. To quote the man himself, it’s gonna set the MMA world on fire.
Before you watch, my take on it is that while Boucher is the more devastating striker, he’s coming off a 2 year layoff with family problems. Mathis is sick on the ground, but has a questionable chin.
So in a classic grappler/bjj guy vs a pound for pound world cl-ass striker, I’m going with Mathis via Triple Decker Pecker Wrecker. But that’s just me, you decide for yourself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kbdhXmJtjQ/quote
Thanx Bro..that was funny..both of them are Characters.
haha mtu, i dont have sound, but damn that was funny
[quote comment=”70478″][quote comment=”70459″]Since TUF is all about up and comers, Luke Thomas over on Bloody Elbow has a great recap and cool video about the upcoming Boucher v Mathis bout at UFC 75. To quote the man himself, it’s gonna set the MMA world on fire.
Before you watch, my take on it is that while Boucher is the more devastating striker, he’s coming off a 2 year layoff with family problems. Mathis is sick on the ground, but has a questionable chin.
So in a classic grappler/bjj guy vs a pound for pound world cl-ass striker, I’m going with Mathis via Triple Decker Pecker Wrecker. But that’s just me, you decide for yourself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kbdhXmJtjQ/quote
Thanx Bro..that was funny..both of them are Characters.[/quote]
Ha, that was way more entertaining than my job.
[quote comment=”70274″]Age, attitude[/quote]
uhhhhhh……
or maybe he has beaten some of the great ones
has consistantly beaten guys people say he cant
he is always respectful
never a punk
has the hugest heart ever
never backs down
never a boring fight
and then maybe age…. lol
[quote comment=”70338″]What about Nick Diaz.. Why doesnt he come in to help Nate train? When does he get back to his UFC ways..
Love Nick Diaz.[/quote]
who doenst?
even if he lost his next 5 fights, he would still be my favorite.
they would all be exciting
then hed talk a little trash and say the guy that beat him isnt good
[quote comment=”70333″][quote post=”2290″]Back to those who matter, My final four are still alive in Joe Lauzon, Gray Maynard, Nate Diaz, and Matt Wiman.[/quote]
I think everyone on this site picked these four, guy. They were the only ones of any real talent. I think a couple ppl picked The Mental Midget because of name recognition. Oh, and Corey Hill had his entire High School post on how he was gonna win the whole thing. Did they all know he was lying the whole time? I’m still going with Corey’s new nickname, Compound. Cause after next week, that’s what your going to see.[/quote]
one of your better posts.
i think its like 4 to 1 corey needs prophylactic antibiotics and surgical repair for one of his limbs
im taking manny over wiman. dont know why… i think just cuz i like karo… yeah, that makes sense to me
For what it’s worth, while he dominated the fight I thought Gray looked weak striking last night. I don’t think he had an impressive performance - even though he scored takedown after takedown. At one point early in the second round I thought he was going to get knocked out. Brandon continuously escaped Gray’s holds (showing more strength than I expected), reversed several times, and really had Gray on the defensive. Brandon was clearly the stronger of the two fighters. Gray’s wrestling, in my opinion, saved his bacon.
From the beginning of TUF 5 I thought Gray would make it to the finals…not any more. I think his weaknesses were obvius last night. The next guy who fights him should try to keep the fight on their feet (which, against Gray won’t be easy) and keep it striking. I don’t think he has a granite chin by any stretch. I can’t see him beating Lauzon, Manny, or Wiman…but mabye taking Diaz.
Manny will take out Wiman…same reasoning as the guy above…I just have a feeling. Manny looked impressive in his first win. He’s a f…ing powerhouse. Wiman’s a strong fighter as well, well versed (and yes, he looked good against Fischer until he git cocky). To me, this is the toughest of all the quarterfinal fights to call.
Do we really need to lay bets on Diaz/Hill? This one will end quickly. Diaz moves on to the semis.
I though last nights fight was great. I expect the rest to be just as competative…finally.
[quote comment=”70211″]Gray isn’t very bright, taking on B.J. so close to fight time. I thought he gassed pretty early too. I think training with Jens gives the fighters better cardio, but training with BJ gave Gray the final edge. Gray will be the weakest of the final four.
It’s all irrelevant because Joe “The Giant Killer” Lauzon is ringside taking notes on all these guys. Corey will be destroyed by Nate Diaz. The best fight next week is Matt vs Manny. I’ll go with Matt. In the end Joe stands alone.[/quote]
i think gray is a good fighter but like corey he is unexperienced. i think Joe will win the hole thing. i think if corey hill would be more aggressive and use his reach to his advantage more he could destroy. Matt and Manny will be a good fight i don’t know who i should root for. Joe is a beast and has some good experience. He is a great ground and pounder and i think he will win. i think he is with out doubt the smartest fighter in it.