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BENT: TUF 9 Episode 10 - Damarques Johnson Man Dances His Way To Finals
Jun 4, 2009 - 12:09:30 PM BENT: TUF 9 Episode 10 - Damarques Johnson Man Dances His Way To Finals

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We begin this week in the gym where we see Michael Bisping, Dan Henderson and Dana White having a discussion over the possible match ups in the semifinals. The coaches finally agree on something as both Bisping and Henderson would like to see Damarques Johnson vs. James Wilks as well as Nick Osipczak vs. Frank Lester. The time had now come for Dana White to bring each fighter in and ask them just who they would like to fight. This usually means nothing but it is at least interesting to see who they pick and just how badly they seem to want to fight.

James Wilks immediately calls out Damarques Johnson, and we should know already that this will not happen since this would be the best match up. It is, however, the one Wilks wants. Damarques Johnson is up next and he wishes to fight James Wilks as well. This fight will definitely not happen at this point, but barring something freakish occurring, it will likely take place at the finale. Frank Lester enters, and I have to say that he looks like "Flick" from 'A Christmas Story' if you could imagine for a moment that he would be all grown up. Ross Pearson is next to walk in and he declares that he would like to fight Jason Dent. Jason Dent wants a piece of Andre Winner, but it doesn't really seem to feel like this is the fight he wants. Cameron Dollar was the last to enter and after some cajoling from White, he admits that, yeah, he wants to fight teammate Jason Dent. Nothing remarkable from any of the fighters, although Dollar's desire to fight his own teammate seems to have struck a nerve with White who likes this notion.

Dana White admits as much by stating, "I love Cameron Dollar vs. Jason Dent," and then cracking an evil smile, which for a moment seems to suggest that he will buck the concept and indeed pit teammate against teammate. White offers this idea up to both coaches, but it is Bisping who bristles at this and feels such an idea is coming about because he clearly has the stronger team. Henderson dismisses this thought but doesn't seem to have a real problem with Dollar vs. Dent should it happen. Dana justifies the thought by thinking out loud that the theme of this season has been United States vs. United Kingdom, and heading into the finals without one of each isn't a welcome prospect. While this makes perfect sense to do, in the end it was all a tease and there shall be no fight between teammates at least if everyone can help it.

It was now time for the fights to be announced and the semifinals would consist of the following bouts:

Welterweight Semifinals

-Nick Osipczak vs. Damarques Johnson (Fight Number 1)
-James Wilks vs. Frank Lester (Fight Number 4)

Lightweight Semifinals

-Andre Winner vs. Cameron Dollar (Fight Number 2)
-Ross Pearson vs. Jason Dent (Fight Number 3)

Dana White is quick to point out that Frank Lester is the first ever fighter to be brought back into the competition to actually win a fight. This is, of course, wrong, because C.B. Dollaway did this on season 7 when he came back to face and then subsequently defeated Tim Credeur for a chance to face Sadollah in the finals. So, White is correct in including Lester in rare company, but he is wrong in declaring him to stand alone as Dollaway was in fact the first to successfully do this.

We return to the house and see that everyone seems to be getting along and is enjoying what Dean Amasinger says is a barbecue. James Wilks is shown asking Frank Lester if he was shocked that the rematch will happen and answers that he was not shocked at this prospect. Neither was I, but the match up which floored me was the announcement that Dollar would face Winner, as this one is truly the best lightweight fight left. Well, back to this barbecue scene and we see that Jason Pierce is in the kitchen with David Faulkner of Team United Kingdom, and Pierce is heaping tons of praise on the Brit for how well his teammates seemed to get along and handle themselves this season. Jason Pierce may as well have gotten on his knees and fellated Faulkner with the way he was doling out the praise. One would think it would behoove Pierce to kiss Dana's ass and not one of the other fighters; but then again, he never wanted to fight anyway.

Richie Whitson bursts onto the scene in the kitchen and breaks up the love fest by blasting Pierce for not having anything to do with the U.S. team before hitting him with the death blow by questioning his desire to have fought in the competition. Pierce comes off as convincing as that guy you used to work with who claimed he hurt his back in order to file a worker's compensation claim as he tries to tell Whitson that it was the doctor who kept this from happening. Even the worst HMO doctor would have cleared Pierce to fight, so his posturing comes off as pathetic, although Whitson picking on him is totally unnecessary. Pointing out to Pierce that he ran away from the chance to fight in this competition is much the same as stopping a high school custodian and lecturing him on why he should have gotten a college degree. Pointing out someone's poor life choices is just not the nicest thing to do, and Whitson actually comes off a bit of the bad guy in my eyes. Last I checked, Whitson got his ass kicked in this competition and will forever be remembered only because he bore a slight resemblance to Shaun White, so it isn't like he set the world on fire. He DID fight though, and Pierce simply lacked the heart, so in some respect I see where he was coming from although seeing him initiate this confrontation.

We see that the problems between those two men are not over just yet as we see that Richie Whitson is spying on Jason Pierce as he is seen sharing team information with David Faulkner. Certainly Pierce was doing so, but Whitson looked like Danny Partridge watching Keith have a go with a groupie from the confines of the closet in peeking on the traitor. In my opinion, Whitson should have gone ahead and entered the room while this was going on in order to see if Pierce would suddenly clam up. Jason Pierce is a lowly turd for sharing information, but then again this is the kind of thing that can happen when you allow fighters who have lost to remain in the house while still bitter for whatever reason. Obviously Pierce never lost, but he was eliminated from competition, and again it might be best to remove these fighters from the house as has been done in the past.

Next stop is the gym, which is where we see Team U.S.A. is training as Damarques Johnson prepares to face Nick Osipczak. Damarques says that he is the "best fighter in the house" and I for one don't question this statement whatsoever. Coach Dan Henderson follows this up by going a step further and declaring that Damarques will win the entire show and is just simply far too superior when compared to any of the other fighters. This much has been obvious from day one. Like I have stated repeatedly, Damarques Johnson is the Mac Danzig of this season and he will win this show by beating this season's Tommy Speer.

Is Johnson a good fighter? Indeed. Is he anything spectacular? Well, he is in comparison to this crop of fighters, but only time will tell how he matches up against the likes of those in the UFC. It goes without saying that Johnson could have ingested Ambien and made it all the way through this season without anyone tripping him up. He just was way too skilled and experienced for any of the other fighters. Henderson is right in making the prediction of Johnson winning the whole thing, which makes it interesting to see how motivated he is to coach Frank Lester against James Wilks.

Damarques again says, "I want to go out there and hurt his feelings," in regards to his bout with Nick Osipczak, and this line would be amusing if he hadn't already said this to Dana White when asked why he wanted to fight James Wilks. Although this is really no different than Chris Leben constantly saying he wanted to "put the stamp" on everyone he faced. One thing that is for certain is Johnson's personality is definitely shining through, and has since the very beginning. Most of the fighters this season are interchangeable and rather bland, but Johnson has the charm necessary to make you care one way or the other about him. The sky is the limit for him if he can keep winning fights and make some sort of splash in the UFC following the finals.

Coach Henderson takes a moment to approach Jason Pierce and ask him about this sharing of information with Faulkner which was reported. Pierce denies it, and I am telling you that it takes big balls to lie to the face of Dan Henderson. Jason Pierce must truly never want to fight as a professional following this show, as I cannot think of anyone who would even have time for him. Henderson takes his word but quickly adds that if Pierce lied to him that we would know soon enough in the fight. I also see a glimmer in the eyes of Hendo, which seems to suggest that he will skin Pierce alive and fashion a vest out of it to wear into the Octagon against Bisping at UFC 100. Henderson is Native American so he would be likely to not waste a single thing if he were to skin Pierce for the crime of lying to his face. I am thinking he could use the kid's tendons to repair some of the mats at Team Quest.

Team U.K. is next to train and it is Nick Osipczak who states that he is fighting, "the guy everyone wanted to fight, including the coaches" in taking on Damarques Johnson in the semifinals. I don't know if I would say that everyone wanted to fight Johnson because I don't think everyone wanted to lose, but I do agree that the coaches of Team U.K. wanted a piece of him. Bisping especially seemed to have a problem with Johnson from the beginning of the show. Osipczak then proves that Pierce did indeed lie to Henderson because he begins rattling off all that he was told of Damarques' abilities. Osipczak is crazier than Pierce if he thinks this will truly help him, but at this particular moment he acted as if he were the New England Patriots and had just stolen the other team's offensive signals.

Bisping's plan for Ospiczak is to keep things on the feet and to avoid the takedown. This of course always sounds a hell of a lot easier than it will actually be for the fighter to put into action. Bisping takes a moment to defend the accusation that he pushes his guys too hard by explaining that he was on this program as well once and was pushed hard just the same and credits this for helping to make him the fighter he is today. Bisping did benefit from some of the best coaching ever on 'The Ultimate Fighter' as a member of Tito Ortiz's Team Punishment. Hearing him justify matters in this respect has caused me to agree with his working the fighters so hard. They aren't here to be on TV; they are here to try to become UFC fighters.

Damarques Johnson vs. Nick Osipczak

The time has come for both men to either put up or shut up and determine just which of the two would continue on to the finals on June 20th. Osipczak had as much of a chance to win this fight as Mickey Rourke did 'Best Actor' at the Oscars, but it was still a chance nonetheless.

Round one begins with a touch of gloves and Osipczak flicking the jab. This was doing exactly as it was intended to do in that it kept Johnson off of him. Johnson would begin to return fire with his own jab and one much, much harder than those coming from the Brit. The fighters clinched and Johnson threw some excellent looking knees. No visible damage caused and Osipczak didn't wince, but these came with a fair amount of force behind them. A throw by Damarques Johnson puts Nick Ospiczak on the ground for the first time, but give the scrappy kid some credit as he made his way back to his feet rather quickly. Osipczak would then throw what up until now would be his biggest shot with a haymaker that seemed to start in the living room of the house and just missed connecting on Johnson. To be honest, I had no clue Osipczak could throw like this, but his technique left much to be desired. Damarques would continue to work behind the jab, and as if there isn't enough that is smooth about Johnson, he comes equipped with a jab that is like rayon. Not quite silk but damn close, and with a little refinement it could serve him very well.

Johnson scored a takedown at this point and quickly passed from the full guard of Osipczak and into half guard. Osipczak was doing very well in controlling Johnson at this point and even moved him back to full guard. After some scrambling, both men made it back to their feet and this is when the fight got interesting. Nick Ospiczak began beating the hell out Damarques Johnson. Johnson began landing some blows of his own but it was Osipczak who got the better of these exchanges, and ended up doing enough in my mind to steal this round. Yes, this was a fun little exchange and both men enjoyed their moments here, but this was not exactly the slugfest we were promised. From the sound of last week's preview, this fight was going to be "one for the ages," and it ended up being a competitive one but nothing remarkable save for the final thirty seconds of round one.

-Bent's Score: 10-9 for Nick Ospiczak-

Both fighters touch gloves again as the 2nd round begins and Ospiczak starts things off by landing a solid right hand. If Ospiczak had some power this would have been a much different fight, but Johnson at least has shown a little better than average chin. Both men clinched and surprisingly it was Johnson breathing with his mouth wide open. This surprised me, because it was Osipczak who looked to have emptied his gas tank in round one, and yet here was Johnson seemingly looking like the more exhausted of the two. Osipczak shot in for the takedown but Johnson sprawls and takes the Brit's back momentarily. Johson ended up atop Ospiczak and in side control, but soon was back in half guard. Johson was really hustling here to get control and soon began to go for a submission as he worked for a kimura. No success would be had and it was back to half guard for Johnson.

Osipczak's exhaustion was really showing now as Johnson had considerably more in the tank by this point in the fight. Johnson was still atop Osipczak and working to improve his position but beyond this was doing little to no damage whatsoever. Osipczak was at least throwing some elbows from the bottom, but it wasn't as if they were having much of an effect either. Finally, Johnson throws a right hand with some bad intentions behind it and he would then mount Osipczak. Damarques would take his back and begin to flail away as Ospiczak chose to just cover up and ride out the remainder of the round. Johnson was warned repeatedly for blows to the back of the head, but while a few of them did land there, most if not all were well within the legal area. The final seconds ticked away as Johnson threw some elbows, and while Osipczak was not close to being finished it is likely that this one would have been stopped due to the fact that he was doing nothing but covering up.

-Bent's Score: 10-9 for Damarques Johnson-

Both men were completely exhausted heading into this 3rd and final round, and Osipczak was surprisingly able to go considering he had to be helped to his corner following round two. Johnson worked behind the jab once more and following up with a few uppercuts but there was not much behind any of these punches by now. Sheer exhaustion for both men here, although Johnson surprised with a leaping knee which showed he had a little bit of spring left in his legs. Osipczak was so tired that a stiff breeze could have scored the TKO victory, but Johnson was too tired to finish him off. Johnson scored a takedown once more and was again in half guard. Both men took a moment to get their breath here before the action picked up and Johnson moved into mount again. Johnson took Osipczak's back momentarily but the Brit was able to reverse his position and find himself in the American's full guard with one minute left in the fight. Osipczak began working the body a little and added in a few really weak hammer fists for good measure. The round came to an end and we would now go to the scorecards to get the official decision and find out who would move on to the finals.

-Bent's Score: 10-9 for Damarques Johnson-

Bent Scores The Fight: 29-28 for Damarques Johnson

Winner is Damarques Johnson by Unanimous Decision

The scores are not read but I have to imagine they would have fallen in line with my own, as this was a win for Johnson but not hardly a shutout. Both men looked painfully average in there, and this one was not even close to being the epic slugfest we were told it would be. I am unsure if Johnson hurt Osipczak's feelings or not, but in winning this fight he certainly let everyone down who was expecting the "best fighter in the house" to dominate a lesser foe.

I will give you the excuse that part of the reason for this is the amount of fights fought in a short period of time, but Johnson did not look head and shoulders above Osipczak in terms of talent and wasn't even close to finishing him off. As a result he heads to the finals having not impressed with any of his victories. However, it isn't like anyone will remember the performances on the show and the only one that will matter will be what he can do following a traditional camp when he fights on June 20th. If Johnson blasts out his opponent to win the contract, it can then be successfully argued that he was indeed the best fighter of all and we can praise his winning performance. He has at least earned the chance to do so, and while he didn't look as good as perhaps he could have it goes without saying that a win is a win and in the end this is all that matters.

Dana White would gush over the ending of round one and the way he talked it was as if Griffin vs. Bonnar I was a sparring session in comparison to Johnson-Ospiczak from the semi-finals. Granted, this was indeed a fun finish to the the 1st round, and certainly was two men swinging bricks at each other, but it had no impact on the outcome of the fight and neither man ever showed as much offense for the remainder of the bout. Compared to the other fights we have seen this season it would have to rank up there with Lester's teeth becoming embedded in his mouth guard.

Nick Ospiczak lets us know that he will be back, but for now he must take the loss and accept that he will instead be watching the finals rather than fighting in them. Damarques Johnson is penciled in for the finals on June 20th, but at this moment he stands as the best of a relatively unassuming group and should be able to win the contract just by showing up in decent shape. Johnson has charisma and heart, so it goes without saying that he could easily be a very marketable fighter. Whether he goes on to become a marketable fighter who can win against top tier fighters is another thing altogether. He simply hasn't faced any yet, but he will get the opportunity once he wins this show.

The preview for next week shows us that both of the lightweight semifinal bouts will be aired in the episode. This means that we will know the match up for the finals but also that neither one of these fights is likely to go the distance with one being over relatively quickly. Generally it has been a given that when they choose to air two fights that one of them ends in the blink of an eye or is just not a very competitive one for however long it lasts. We will see Winner vs. Dollar and Pearson vs. Dent next week, and then we will have just one more episode with one more welterweight fight to go before we head to the finals on June 20th.