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Well folks, another season of The Ultimate Fighter is in the books, and its time to crown the champion in the live finale. The event tomorrow comes on the heels of the best episode of the season, and possibly the best episode in the show's history. After Amir Sadollah's dramatic, come-from-behind armbar victory over CB Dalloway, we got the drama of Jesse "JT" Taylor getting kicked off the show, and then a classic fight between CB and Tim Credeur to determine Taylor's replacement in the finals. Two good fights, a dramatic upset, and the brutal, raw emotion of a fighter realizing his dreams have been crushed (and by himself, no less)? Not a bad way to spend a Wednesday night. But we're not here to analyze Wednesday's episode. We're here to talk Saturday's fight card. I don't have time for a full-blown preview, so lets break down the card with some quick hitter, shall we?
ROB YUNDT VS. ROB KIMMONS
Yundt has one UFC fight to his credit, but Kimmons has far more experience and is the more accomplished fighter. He also excels at Yundt's deficiency: submissions. I'll take Kimmons to win his debut by submission in the second round.
TIM CREDEUR VS. CALE YARBROUGH
This one seems like an easy one to pick. Tim is the far more experienced and well-rounded fighter, and judging by what I've seen on the show, he's much more dedicated to being a professional fighter. He also has a dramatic advantage on the ground. Credeur by submission in round 1.
DEAN LISTER VS. JEREMY HORN
I just can't get myself excited to see this fight. Luckily for me, its on the undercard and almost certainly won't be televised unless something dramatic happens, in which case I'll want to watch the fight. Lister is who the UFC wants to win this fight, and Horn is clearly slipping at this point in his career after his submission loss to Nate Marquardt last time out. Lister is even better on the ground than Marquardt. Lister by decision in a snoozefest.
MATT ARROYO VS. MATT BROWN
TUF 6 alum Arroyo battles TUF 7 combatant Brown in a welterweight battle as Matt Brown drops down to his more natural weight class. This should be a good battle. Brown fights with a fire in his belly, but is susceptible to submissions. Arroyo is a tough guy and will have to eat some shots before he can get the fight where he wants: on the mat. He'll do it though and lock in a fight ending submission in round 2. Anyone sensing a pattern?
MARVIN EASTMAN VS. DREW MCFEDRIES
This will be a fast and furious slugfest for the minute or two that it lasts. Both men love to throw the leather, but Eastman has a glass jaw. Watch his fight with Travis Lutter for proof. I still can't decide if its a glass jaw or if Eastman took a dive. Its definitely one or the other. McFedries will take this one by KO in round 1.
JOSH BURKMAN VS. DUSTIN HAZELETT
I had high hopes for Josh Burkman once upon a time. He really seemed to have all the tools to be a top tier fighter. I don't think that any more. He needs to win this on in decisive fashion to get back in my (and likely the UFC's as well) good graces. I'm not seeing it. Typical Burkman performance as he'll grind out a decision.
DANTE RIVERA VS. MATTHEW RIDDLE
If you've read any of my post-TUF episode thoughts, you know I think Riddle has "star" written all over him. He makes his official, professional debut Saturday night against house rival Dante Rivera. Rivera has the distinct experience advantage, but this will be both fighter's first time under the brightest of lights. Riddle is much younger and more athletic and that will be the difference as he'll pound Rivera out before the first round ends.
SPENCER FISHER VS. JEREMY STEPHENS
Only the TUF finals has the potential to top this for fight of the night. Spencer Fisher "brings it" every time he steps into the Octagon, and Jeremy Stephens is no different. This will be a war on the feet until Stephens decides he wants to rain down punches from top position. It'll end up being his undoing as Fisher will pull a Din Thomas and submit Stephens all the while eating punches to the face. Fisher by submission in round 2.
DIEGO SANCHEZ VS. LUIGI FIORAVANTI
This should also be a pretty good fight. Sanchez loves to push the pace, and his wrestling advantage against Fioravanti won't be nearly as pronounced as he thinks. Fioravanti isn't quite on Diego's level, but he'll put up a good fight. Sanchez wins this fight one way or another, I just can't decide if he can finish Fioravanti. Coin says yes. Sanchez by TKO in round 3.
AMIR SADOLLAH VS. CB DALLOWAY (TUF 7 FINALS)
What once seemed like a lackluster season (and finals) has turned quite interesting. Nobody expected Sadollah to be here, but he didn't exactly pull a Kenny Florian and get to the finals by winning one (ONE!) fight by a cut. He was easily the most impressive fighter on the show, winning all three of his fights by submission, and showing amazing heart in each one. Amir has even already beaten CB, even though CB was winning the fight up to that point. Gerald Harris and Matt Brown could also say those same things though. I've been rooting for Amir since the start, and now he has the chance to be the unlikeliest of TUF champions. My heart wants to pick him, but my head is telling me that CB is the better fighter and he won't make the same mistake as last time. I hope I'm wrong. Dalloway by decision.
EVAN TANNER VS. KENDALL GROVE
I'm still not sure how the UFC landed on this fight as the main event. Don't get me wrong, its a very intriguing fight, but how often does a main event feature two fighters who will likely be making their last appearance for the company (at least for a while) if they should lose? That's the situation here. I was so excited when Evan Tanner finally made his comeback, but he looked like a shell of his former self against Yushin Okami. My fingers are crossed that it was just some ring rust. As for Kendall Grove, he was on the fast track towards a title shot in the once thin Middleweight division before being derailed by Patrick Cote. Cote is one of the better fighters in the division, so that loss could be forgiven, but Jorge Rivera? I mean, come on. Three in a row would be bad, and would likely land him in the minors for a couple fights to get back on track. I ignored my heart last time, but this time it wins out. I'm taking Evan Tanner by TKO in round 2.
Well that's a brief look at the fight card. Should be a good one. I'm actually looking forward to the final fight of a TUF season more than I have in a while. For anyone wondering, I've decided to only do the contests for UFC ppv's until we get some more traffic, and therefore contestants, to the site. So tell your friends about us and we can start doing them for all the major shows.
