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THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER REPORT
MAY 19, 2010
AIRED ON SPIKE TV
The episode starts with Chuck Liddell blowing up about Tito Ortiz pulling out of their fight. Chuck is very upset. Chuck is ranting and raving, all the while Tito is overhearing him. Tito says some stuff about God testing him or something.
At the weigh-in for the fight between Josh Bryant and Jamie Yager, both guys make weight without a problem. Jamie is much taller than Josh. I think this fight is a total mismatch, but not because of the size difference. I just don't think that Josh has what it takes to beat Jamie. Both guys are feeling the pressure to win.
I can't believe that Geico stills uses those stupid Cavemen for their ads. That wasn't funny years ago.
FIGHT- Josh Bryant vs. Jamie Yager
Jamie has a 3 inch height advantage, the reach is even. Steve Mazzagatti is the referee.
ROUND 1- Both guys circle. After some quick action, they clinch against the fence. Jamie with some power shots in the clinch. Jamie connects with a power body kick. Neither guy is doing that much, trying to find their range. Josh is hit with a low blow. Leg kick by Jamie. Jamie with another leg kick. A mini-flurry by both guys is followed by another Jamie leg kick. Jamie unleashes a flurry of kicks, but Josh is still standing. Josh floors Jamie with a shot, but Jamie immediately hits back with an upkick. The rounds ends with Josh on top of Jamie.
ROUND 2- Leg kick by Jamie to start. Left hook by Jamie. Jamie with a low blow. Jamie is just throwing his kicks strong. Josh nearly ends the fight with some power shots, but Jamie fights through it. They go to the ground, with Josh on top. Jamie stands, but Josh is going for a guillotine. Jamie escapes. Jamie has his hands down, so does Josh. They clinch on the fence for a moment. Jamie throws some nice combos. These guys are swinging like crazy, letting it all go. Both guys are very tired. Jamie goes to the ground again, as Josh shows his power. Josh is in side control on top of Jamie. Josh works his way into a crucifix position. Jamie is wiggling and worming around, trying to escape. Josh works some ground-and-pound as the round ends. We're going to a third round.
Instead of going to a third round, Jamie is unable to continue. I really underestimated Josh's striking. That, and I might have overestimated Jamie's ability to take a punch. Jamie looks really wiped out. Tito is livid, calling Jamie a puss.
Jamie is helped out to the ambulance by Kris McCray and Brad Tavares. Tito says Jamie has no heart. Dana White wants to talk to Tito alone. In a separate office, Dana says he's sending Tito to a doctor in California to see a neck specialist. However, that means that Tito needs to be replaced on the show as a coach. Tito looks very confused by that. Tito wasn't very happy about it, either. Tito is getting emotional talking about how he loves to fight. He says that we haven't seen the last of Tito Ortiz, and with that, he drives off.
Dana brings Team Ortiz in the building to inform them of what just went down. The team is upset that Tito didn't say anything to them about him having to leave. Dana says that the new coach is very qualified. Nick Ring has this incredibly weird mustache thing going on. All the guys seem to be hurt by the fact that Tito didn't say bye to them. Jamie comes back to the house and is informed of Tito leaving the show. Jamie has some muscle damage. Kris McCray tells Jamie that everyone wanted him to answer the bell for the third round.
Tito comes back to the house. He tells the guys what's going on. The guys in the house are glad to see Tito. Kris is hoping that his new coach can help him. Tito leaves the house for the final time with some encouraging words.
It's time to announce the semi-final match-ups. Dana enters and starts to announce the fights when they cut to commercial.
Back from break, Dana announces the fights-
Brad Tavares vs. Court McGee
Kris McCray vs. Josh Bryant
Rich Franklin makes his way into the building to be introduced as Tito's replacement. Dana is about to announce the assistant coaches when the show ends.
This was a very note-worthy episode. Tito's firing from the show, coupled with Jamie Yager being forced to quit between rounds, makes for some big headlines. The fight itself was really good, if a bit sloppy. Josh Bryant really proved himself able to take punishment, and then give it back. I'm hoping the semi-finals can match this week's fight in terms of quality. I'm surprised that Jamie quit, but I guess Josh just wanted it more.
NEXT WEEK- A special 2-hour episode with both semi-final fights
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