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BENT: TUF 9 Finale - Subpar Season Nine Redeemed By Classic Main Event
Jun 21, 2009 - 11:59:02 PM BENT: TUF 9 Finale - Subpar Season Nine Redeemed By Classic Main Event

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'The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale' has come and gone and it really was one hell of a show. The opening bout was Stevenson vs. Diaz which put us right in the mix immediately, and the main event of Guida vs. Sanchez closed the show on a winning note. This was one of the best finales in the history of the program, and to some extent, Guida vs. Diaz was the equivalent of Bonnar vs. Griffin I, albeit with infinitely more talented and skilled fighters. If you enjoy your battles on the ground, Diaz and Stevenson took your order; and if you like your fights with a heavy amount of drama, Guida and Sanchez appeased you as well. Add in the equivalent of a pro wrestling squash match between Johnson and Wilks and a solid fight with Lytle vs. Burns and you had the makings of an excellent show with a little bit of everything for everyone. Plain and simple, UFC 100 is bigger than John Holmes but in terms of action we can only hope any of the bouts on the UFC 100 card can match the energy and fire of Clay Guida vs. Diego Sanchez from 'The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale' last night.

Joe Stevenson vs. Nate Diaz

The first round began with Diaz doing his customary stalking along with the patented "mean mugging" made famous by he and his brother. Joe Stevenson shot in for the takedown and for his troubles had a guillotine slapped on him, which made it appear the night would end quickly for him. Stevenson would escape, assume side control and begin trying to land punches. A solid right connected to the head of Diaz as Stevenson controlled the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu fighter's right arm with his legs in a crucifix position. Stevenson would land several punches before Diaz would reverse position and find himself in a guillotine himself. Amazingly, after turning a shade of purple just between Grimace and Barney, Diaz rolled and successfully escaped. Stevenson was again on top and posturing up in order to land punches. Diaz would make it to his feet and went right back to the ground as he looked again for the guillotine. This was unsuccessful and both fighters were again on their feet with Stevenson landing knees to Diaz' head. Diaz would think quickly and take a knee to eliminate the knees to the head and the round came to an end. Diaz would pose for the crowd and throw his hands up high following this round and I guess he viewed surviving that one a victory as he did not win this round.

-Bent's Score- 10-9 for Joe Stevenson-

A leg kick from Stevenson opened up the second round before he would shoot and take down Nate Diaz. Another guillotine attempt by Diaz would ensue, but the third time was not the charm and this was again unsuccessful. Back to the feet and more knees from Stevenson before Diaz again briefly took a knee. The fighters would make it back to their feet once more and hit the ground just as quickly with Diaz trying for a kimura as they went to the ground. Stevenson would land a left hand before Diaz attempted to slap on a triangle choke but this didn't get beyond the early stages of the submission hold. Joe postured up and out and the two clinched against the cage. Another guillotine attempt from Diaz would be next and this caused him to end up underneath his opponent as Stevenson finished the round on top and dominating.

-Bent's Score- 10-9 for Joe Stevenson-

Diaz shook his head, "no," to Stevenson's attempt to touch gloves and the two scrambled for position. Stevenson tried to pull Nate's left leg out to take him down and the position battle continued. Stevenson took Diaz' back for a moment but Nate was able to throw him down to the mat. Diaz went from half-guard to full, postured up and began winging right hands. Diaz would attempt an arm-in guillotine attempt but Stevenson was able to escape and throw knees to the body of his opponent. "C'mon, Joe. Get to work, bitch!" exclaimed Diaz as the two were engaged in a stalemate. Stevenson responded with something that was not audible to me and with one minute to go in the round it became apparent that Diaz needed to stop running his mouth and heed his own advice. The two separated and Diaz was able to avoid the takedown attempts of Stevenson for the rest of the round as he tried in vain to land a punch with hopes of avoiding this one going to the judges.

-Bent's Score- 10-9 for Joe Stevenson-

Bent Scores The Fight- 30-27 for Joe Stevenson

Offical Scores: 29-28, 29-28, 29-28 all for Stevenson

Winner by Unanimous Decision is Joe Stevenson

Fun fight to open the night and one hell of a performance by Stevenson who showed that Diaz is just not there yet. A loss to Guida and then to Stevenson proves he needs much seasoning before he becomes a real threat in this division, but he is damned close. Diaz' problem is he focuses too much on machismo and less on just trying to win the fight, and it is clear to me that if you avoid a few of his submissions that you will have him mentally defeated. Make him miss punches and you will create a raging, emotional wreck of a fighter intent on showing toughness rather than fighting with his head. He will get there, and when he does the rest of the division will have hell to pay. Stevenson simply proves he isn't at the elite level but he is better than those just beneath it in the pecking order.

Ross Pearson vs. Andre Winner

Our first of 'The Ultimate Fighter' bouts is up next, this one for the lightweight contract and big, glass trophy. I wonder what the fighters do with this trophy after they win. Hockey players drink champagne out of the Stanley Cup, and Tim Sylvia once had sex while wearing the UFC Heavyweight Championship, so I wonder what the 'TUF' winners do with this one.

Some circling from both men to open the fight and great head movement from Pearson is seen. Winner would jab, only to get counter punched by Pearson and we had a fight. Pearson faked the jab and landed a leg kick before the two clinched. Pearson working the knees led to Winner landing one of his own before adding an elbow from over the top. Winner landed a knee to the groin of Pearson but replays showed it was on the thigh. Regardless, action stopped briefly to allow Pearson a moment. A one-two combination by Pearson landed when the fight resumed and this was answered by an uppercut from Winner. A clinch again with another trade of knees. Andre Winner pulled off the trick "Sugar" Ray Leonard used to do in the final seconds of the round as he flurried to close this one. The thing is, the trick worked as it gave him the edge on my scorecard in what was until then a very, very close round.

-Bent's Score- 10-9 for Andre Winner-

A low leg kick by Pearson connected to open the second round before it was followed by a jab and a right hand for good measure. A knee by Pearson landed and the two fighters would once again clinch. Pearson worked for the takedown but Winner avoided this and popped him with an uppercut. Winner followed this up by working the midsection of Pearson. Ross Pearson landed a decent uppercut before Andre Winner trumped him with an elbow and the two separated. Pearson working behind the jab was able to land a kick before a right to the head and a knee to the body of his opponent. Another clinch with Pearson landing an elbow before Andre Winner pulls the "Sugar" Ray trick and again flurries to end the round. It didn't work for me this time.

-Bent's Score- 10-9 for Ross Pearson-

Sensing urgency, Pearson unloaded to begin the third and final round. Winner would clinch and Pearson continued to attack with knees to the body. Pearson landed three uppercuts and added an elbow before the two would again separate. Both fighters began to trade with Pearson getting the best of it. A clinch would ensue with Pearson landing uppercuts once more. A leg kick by Pearson was answered by a right hand from Winner before Ross would score a single-leg takedown. Winner immediately back up but this counts on the scorecards. This whole fight was spent in the clinch and neither man let me down at this point. The two would separate and trade once more but Pearson would outland Winner by a wide margin. The two sealed the deal by clinching with seventeen seconds left on the clock and it was Pearson closing the show with uppercuts and knees.

-Bent's Score- 10-9 for Ross Pearson-

Bent Scores The Fight- 29-28 for Ross Pearson

Official Scores- 29-28, 29-28, 29-28 all for Pearson

Winner by Unanimous Decision and 'The Ultimate Fighter 9' Lightweight winner is Ross Pearson

Not an especially good fight but I have to admit I was pulling for Pearson by the time this one started. The kid is hungry and in today's world of full time athletes it was humbling to hear of how he was a full time bricklayer up until making it onto the show. Will Pearson do any damage in the UFC? No. Sorry, but this was a WEAK season and it is possible that only one will still be in the UFC in the next year and a half. That said, Pearson may improve by leaps and bounds and make it as he certainly has the heart. For now, he can stand proud as the lightweight winner and for now he won’t have to lay bricks to make ends meet.

Chris Lytle vs. Kevin Burns

Welterweight action was up next and this one featured the always exciting Chris Lytle taking on the modestly interesting Burns in what was really meant as a test for the younger, less experienced fighter. Had Burns won, it would have moved him up a peg and a Lytle win would mean he moves on and gets another spot on a 'Fight Night' or PPV undercard down the road.

A touch of gloves opened the first round and Lytle immediately began to throw left hooks. Burns slipped, got back up and tried to work leg kicks while losing the stand up battle badly. Lytle worked the body, slipped all of Burns' shots and moved fairly well. Burns finally connected with a right hand of his own but this was answered by Lytle's left hook. Burns landed low leg kicks as Lytle pressed forward before connecting with the knee. Burns kicked to the leg of Lytle but hit the cup instead and the fight stopped momentarily. Back to work and it was Lytle with a kick to the body before being dropped by a right uppercut from Burns. Lytle scrambled to hold on and recovered very well following this. Burns would flurry and land several more uppercuts as well as a knee which staggered Lytle as the round ended.

-Bent's Score- 10-9 for Kevin Burns-

A leg kick from Burns opened the second round before Lytle would rock him with a right hand. Lytle blocked a head kick attempt from Burns before getting taken down but would try for a guillotine. Burns escaped and made it to his feet, only to eat a body-head combination from Lytle. A big knee to the body followed from Lytle and again it was Burns connecting on a low blow. The fight would resume with Lytle kicking the body of Burns before yet another low blow from Burns. No point was deducted but Burns was walking perilously close to receiving such. Action would resume and Lytle capped off the round which left his balls aching with a left hand.

-Bent's Score- 10-9 for Chris Lytle-

Burns attempted a kick to open the final round and Lytle grabbed his foot before connecting with a right hand. Burns was now bleeding from a gash over his right eye which was pouring down and giving him the "crimson mask." Superman punch missed by Burns and Lytle would land two right hands in quick succession before eating a knee. Lytle landed a kick to the body before wobbling Burns with a right hand. Lytle was walking down his opponent by this point and landing right hands at will as the blood poured down. Burns would punch but had nothing on them but he would try his best to land two head kicks. The two traded to close the round with Lytle connecting on most and Burns touching nothing but air.

-Bent's Score- 10-9 for Chris Lytle-

Bent Scores The Fight- 29-28 for Chris Lytle

Official Scores: 29-28, 29-28, 29-28 all for Lytle

Winner by Unanimous Decision is Chris Lytle

Fairly fun fight to watch at the time and due to what we had seen in the first two fights it seemed as if this would indeed take home "Fight of the Night" honors. It would not end up being anything more than an afterthought once the show was over but Chris Lytle does always bring the fight in each of his appearances. Burns is coming off as a dirty fighter after the eye-poke victory over Johnson and multiple strikes to the groin of Lytle. Yes, all can be excused and none looked to be on purpose, but at a certain point it does make you wonder if any were. We will never know but for now we know that Burns is not on the level as a UFC prospect and aside from one shot in the first round, could not keep pace with Lytle.

Damarques Johnson vs. James Wilks

Well, it was time. Time for Demarques Johnson to cash the checks his mouth had written all six weeks that he had spent on 'The Ultimate Fighter.' From wanting to "man dance" to doing his best to hurt his opponent's feelings to his coup de grace which was blistering hate towards Wilks, it was now time for him to finally fight without the excuses of having to fight so many times in a row on the show. Johnson was sick, fought three times, etc. and for all of his subpar performances it seemed as if there was always an answer for why he didn't look as impressive against anyone save for Elbe.

His opponent was James Wilks and everyone on the planet, myself included, expected Johnson to "man dance" his way to the contract. I mean, Wilks looked even less like a world-beater than Johnson, and I expected it to be a guaranteed Bobby Southworth-style "flawless victory" for the Jeremy Horn trained fighter. What would follow would throw us all for a loop and leave Johnson looking far worse than any of his performances on the show could have possibly made him look, while making it clear that Wilks has some skills for certain.

Wilks landed a hard combo which landed flush to start the fight and Johnson was hurt by them. A clinch ensued and Wilks was landing several knees but nothing of any real consequence. This changed, though, as Wilks turned up the heat and begin landing hard combinations and some much harder knees. Both men hit the ground and Wilks was in Johnson's full guard but postured up before dropping down for the heel hook. Johnson escaped and unloaded on Wilks for once and it looked like we had ourselves a competitive fight now. Wilks put this to a halt by again trying for the heel hook before cinching up a compression lock on the leg of Johnson. Demarques landed a few elbows and would make it back to full guard before making an attempt at an omoplata. Wilks attempted a triangle but Johnson would escape this and make it back to his feet. Wilks took his back before taking him down and slapped on what is referred to as the "Dan Severn Choke." What this really means is it is a rear naked choke but the fighter’s grip is applying more strength rather than using excellent technique. It is a matter of muscling the hold and Wilks did just that as Johnson tapped out. Demarques tucked his chin well to hold off from submitting but he just couldn't make it those final six seconds and succumbed to Wilks.

Winner is James Wilks by way of Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 4:54 of Round 1

James Wilks is the winner of the welterweight trophy and the "six figure contract" in what was essentially a squash match. I never, ever could have imagined Johnson could fare so poorly, and I am far from being one of those sucked in by the promotion of him on 'The Ultimate Fighter.' I had always said that I could never see Johnson hanging with anyone in the UFC, but I did think he would get past Wilks with ease. Tells you that I knew a little bit about Johnson and not a damned thing about Wilks as I couldn't have been any more wrong.

Johnson would hand the trophy to Wilks and this bothers me. Yes, Johnson showed good sportsmanship by doing so but this was not a back and forth battle by any means and his offering of the trophy reeked of attention whoring rather than being a genuine moment. I didn't see Andre Winner hand the trophy to Ross Pearson and Johnson looked much like the camera-hog which other fighters claimed he was on the television show. I am not saying he was in fact doing this as I have no real knowledge of where his head was at, but it seemed to me like he was trying to steal a moment which shouldn't have been his since he was beaten with ease.

Clay Guida vs. Diego Sanchez

You wanted a good fight and imagined like the rest of us, that Guida and Sanchez could do just that. What you and I both never expected was an all out war on the level of Griffin vs. Bonnar from season one's finale albeit between two much better fighters. Both men's stock rose following this fight, and Guida definitely scored more of a win based on this efforts in this losing performance than he ever could have in a win such as his one over Nate Diaz. I want a rematch and I want it sooner rather than later, and would only hope that the UFC pencils this one in now to main event a 'Fight Night' sometime soon. Although, to see this one again for free would make all of us thieves as it was indeed a fight worth paying to see. After having to sit through this painful season of 'The Ultimate Fighter,' it was so nice to close it all with a huge bang from these two lightweight warriors.

Sanchez jumped all over Guida as soon as the fight began. My jaw hit the floor as I watched him ravage Guida with flurries and it was hard to keep track of everything which landed. Just know that many did and all did so with tremendous force. Crushing uppercuts landed to the chin of Guida and caused his mouthpiece to fly. Guida was hit with a few brutal knees before changing everything by scoring a takedown of Sanchez. Guida was in the full guard of Sanchez and doing well to control "The Nightmare" as he was bloody and battered but undetermined. Both men were back on their feet and finally the referee could stop the action so that Guida could put his mouth guard back in. Action resumed and a head kick from Sanchez connected to the side of Guida's face and dropped him like a ton of bricks. I thought it was over, and so did you, but "The Carpenter" made it back to his feet like Rocky Balboa. Sanchez tried his best to finish him off as he was just teeing off with uppercuts but Guida survived and clinched. Sanchez would then score a takedown and find himself in half guard before Guida was able to scramble out and get back to his feet. The two men traded to end a round which was one of the very best of the past several years to say the least.

-Bent's Score- 10-8 for Diego Sanchez-

The two circled to start the second round before Sanchez again landed a head kick, but this one didn't connect flush and was nowhere near as hard as the one which dropped Guida in the opening round. Guida quickly scored a takedown and found himself in the full guard of Sanchez, but soon realized this was nowhere he wanted to be as "The Nightmare" viciously fired off elbows. Guida landed one himself but this was the equivalent of someone breaking out a cap gun compared to a 9mm Glock. Sanchez attempted a kimura but Guida escaped and pushed Sanchez up against the cage. Guida began an attempt to ground an pound Sanchez and even landed a few short elbows. Sanchez pushed off of the cage and landed some "bionic" elbows which would have made Dusty Rhodes proud before getting pushed against the cage once more. Guida began to maul Sanchez momentarily but in hindsight his attack paled in comparison to Sanchez' elbows. Guida looked good in this flurry but did not cause much damage at all. Guida landed a right hand as the round came to an end.

Bent's Score- 10-9 for Clay Guida

(I stand by my score based on the scoring of the takedown, the control of Sanchez' body by continuously pushing him against the cage and that final flurry. I can COMPLETELY see how others did and will disagree with me but by no means am I saying they are wrong. They have their opinion and I have mine as scoring is not an exact science. The final scores reflect that at least one of the judges scored this round as such. This does not mean I am pointing to this as if it means I am correct but in doing so I am merely pointing out that opinions varied on this one. I am no more right than you are and neither one of us actually had a hand in officially scoring this one. You like Pepsi and I like Coca-Cola but we both loved this fight regardless of where we stand on this round. Although I firmly stand on my 10-8 for round one and would imagine most saw it that way as well.)

Sanchez warily kept his distance to start the third round and was surprisingly cautious for once. Guida landed a right hand before Sanchez grazed his head with a kick. Guida actually began to stalk Sanchez but received the business end of an uppercut for his troubles. Two right hands landed for Guida with the second one being a fairly powerful blow before Sanchez fired off 1-2 combination in return. Another head kick attempt by Sanchez does not connect and Guida took him down. Sanchez took his back but Guida quickly reversed before getting caught in an arm triangle attempt. Again, Guida escaped and returned to full guard but Sanchez worked for an attempt at a kimura. With seventeen seconds remaining in the fight, Guida would escape this submission attempt and land a few big shots to punctuate the round and leave us clamoring for at least two more rounds. Wow.

-Bent's Score- 10-9 for Clay Guida-

Bent Scores The Fight- 28-28 a Draw

Official Scores: 29-28 Guida, 29-27 Sanchez, 29-28 Sanchez

Winner is Diego Sanchez by way of Split Decision

"Goddamn"-Joe Rogan

Indeed.

Diego Sanchez asked the question, "Are you entertained?" and the crowd responded emphatically as he spoke to Joe Rogan following the victory. Rogan asked Sanchez if he was ever discouraged when Guida came back from nearly being out and Diego hesitated in giving the answer no. It was clear to me that he was discouraged, but who the hell wouldn't be after landing such a head kick and seeing your opponent rise like a zombie from Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video.

Sanchez added, "I love it when a guy is bleeding on top of me." and I have to say this is probably the first time any fighter has said the same. Diego is a monster and a stone cold killer.

Wow.

He would go on to thank everyone including Jesus, and I have to say that I should be the one thanking him for this performance. Everyone loves Forrest Griffin, and for all of the right reasons, but I have to say that Sanchez in his new home at lightweight should quickly eclipse him as the most successful fighter from season one. Hell, give him two years and Diego Sanchez may just be the most successful fighter of all from the program ,although Kimbo Slice from the upcoming season will likely go down as the most financially successful fighter of any to appear on the show.

It is all about marketing, folks, and right now I would push Sanchez to the moon if I were the UFC. With that said, the same goes for Clay Guida. Guida earned more respect with this loss than from any of his wins in the Octagon. We need a rematch and we need one NOW. Although, I wouldn't expect Sanchez or his handlers to really want this as it sure as hell wouldn’t be an easy one the second time around and a title shot would be worth more than to risk a loss in a return bout. Although, this is the UFC and not boxing, so it is possible the rematch could happen but at the end of the day it comes down to whether or not they want to give us another great fight or protect both men and feature them both prominently with the hopes of both men winning and necessitating the bigger rematch.

Bigger, in terms of financial gain because in terms of pleasing the crowd and answering any questions from this fight, it is a must the two meet again. The question becomes when and I just wish the answer were right now.

"You can't hurt this guy. I'm here for days."-Clay Guida

Truer words have not been spoken and I am just thankful Guida was here for three rounds on Saturday night. UFC 100 is just around the corner and brings us some of the biggest match ups in UFC history but I am telling you that they all have a hard act to follow if they wish to give us one fight on par with Guida-Sanchez. This one had hard hitting action, full tilt drama and both men came out looking like superstars following the bout.

Yes, UFC 100 has the bigger names and better fighters but it is likely none of their performances will match the urgency and energy of this fight. Which only serves as a bright and shining example of just how special this sport is, how far the UFC has come and as a harbinger of things to come. When you can get matches like this for free, it makes it easy to foot the bill for some of the subpar events such as UFC 96.

Wait.

No.

I still cannot justify paying for UFC 96 and the meaningless Jardine-Johnson main event, but I can at least let the UFC slide as I, like all of you, will open the wallet for UFC 100.

Although, did any of you have a problem with Mike Goldberg's pushing of ordering the PPV?

I did. Goldberg kept telling us, "Don't wait to order the UFC 100 PPV" as if you can order it early or the damned thing will sell out. For one thing, you cannot order it yet from your cable provider, and the second thing is that unlike tickets, pay per view events are never sold out and unavailable for you to purchase. I get the pushing of the event and for him to tell people to order this one with a Billy Mays-esque fervor but it was a joke to me that he kept insisting I order it now. I will order it, but just not yet Mike. The UFC shouldn't worry about needing to ask anyone to order this as they could charge double and we all would willingly fork it over.

For now, I am glad I didn't have to give the UFC any more of my money for this 'TUF' finale, but I can tell you that I would have paid for simply the main event of this free card on Spike TV.

Wow.