Jun 10, 2009 - 9:46:50 PM By Frank Hyden, MMATorch contributor
The Ultimate Fighter report
June 10, 2009
By Frank Hyden
Team U.S. is training. Cameron Dollar is hurt, his ribs are sore. Cameron's not able to train as hard as he would otherwise because of his ribs. That might be a factor in his upcoming fight. Cameron wants to stand and bang with his opponent, Andre Winner. I don't know if that's his best shot at winning, especially with his ribs, but each man must pick his own path. Team U.K. is then shown training. Andre is shown training intensely. The guy is ripped, and he looks ready to fight.
Later that night, the U.K. guys are razzing Andre for sucking his thumb. It's a comfort thing, and it helps him fall asleep. Apparently, he also does it in other places. It all seems to be good-natured ribbing. These guys could really tear him apart if they wanted to. Thumb-sucking isn't exactly something to be proud of. I'm kind of surprised no one's got him a pacifier yet. I would have thought that'd be the first thing they'd do. Both guys are shown warming up for their fight.
FIGHT- Andre Winner vs. Cameron Dollar
Both guys are the same height, but Cameron has a 1 inch reach advantage. Josh Rosenthal is the ref.
ROUND 1- Cameron comes out and throws an overhand right that connects. Andre hits with a couple of punches, then they clinch. They separate and Andre is throwing some big shots. They clinch again, near Cameron's coach, Dan Henderson. Dan is shouting instructions, but Cameron isn't listening. Cameron starts listening a bit, then hits a knee to Andre's body. Cameron has taken a few knees to the body himself that had to hurt, but he's not showing it. They go to the ground, and Andre gets into the mount. Cameron flips it, but Andre is going for a triangle. Cameron has an arm in and he's fighting it. Andre sinks in the triangle, and Cameron taps.
WINNER- Andre Winner by Triangle
No time to celebrate, I guess, as we jump right to Team U.K. training the next day. Ross Pearson is shooting some takedowns when his shoulder pops out. He's in quite a bit of pain. I can attest to the pain he's in. My shoulder pops out sometimes (sports injury) and it hurts pretty good. Not the most painful thing ever, but it definitely sucks. Micheal Bisping pulls Ross's arm back into place. Ross says he'll be fine. His shoulder might cost him as he progresses through his career. Team U.S. is training. Jason Dent is fighting Ross and he's training. Dent wants to show what he can do. He says he's been holding back and fighting intelligently to avoid injury.
FIGHT- Ross Pearson vs. Jason Dent
Dent has a 1 inch height and reach advantage. Steve Mazzagatti is the ref.
ROUND 1- Both guys are feeling the other out. They clinch, with both fighters landing some good knees. Ross is very aggressive and is teeing off on Dent, who's backing away. Ross keeps throwing and is hitting with some big shots. Dent nails Ross with a couple of good uppercuts. Ross keeps pushing forward and throwing as the round ends.
ROUND 2- They start off trading, then they go tentative as they look for the big shot. They clinch and eventually go to the ground. Ross in on top and works his way to half-guard. They stand. These guys are brawling and trying to land the knockout shot. Ross gets guard and the round ends.
ROUND 3- Dent starts out throwing some bombs. Both guys are tiring. Ross gets guard again and keeps throwing punches. Dent can't really answer, but he does try to defend himself. This is basically all that happens for the rest of the round. Ross keeps throwing and Dent keeps covering up and defending.
WINNER- Ross Pearson by Unanimous Decision
It's Ross vs. Andre in the Lightweight finals. It's all U.K. in this one. This was a pretty good episode. I give Cameron credit for fighting through his rib pain. I'm sure it wasn't easy to keep going after Andre nailed him with some knees to the body. He said he didn't feel it at the time, but it had to affect his breathing at least. Ross looked good in there, but I might have to go with Andre in the finals. He finished Cameron, while Ross couldn't put Dent away. It looks to be a close fight, though. I hope Ross's shoulder doesn't play a factor in the fight. I don't want a repeat of Manny Gamburyan vs. Nick Diaz. Anytime a fight ends like that you get a bad taste in your mouth, regardless of who it happens too. I like clean finishes, not injury stoppages.
I also liked this episode because it had the 2 fight format. Don't get me wrong, I like finding out more about the guys, but episodes like this force the producers to focus more on interesting and important information about the fighters. With less time per episode because of the fights, we get less filler. And if the fights are shorter, they should definitely go with 2 fights per episode. If the fight goes 3 rounds they can just have the one fight. Or if something really important happens, just have the one fight. If it's a quick fight, or not much is happening in the house, they should go with the 2 fight format. I watch The Ultimate Fighter to see fighting, and to learn more about the fighters. I've been pretty happy with the way this season has gone.
NEXT WEEK- Frank Lester fights James Wilks in a rematch from earlier this season
