The Ultimate Fighter
THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER REPORT 6/9: Hyden's (Virtual Time) rundown of all the fights, all the drama in a 2 hour episode on Spike TV
Jun 9, 2010 - 10:10:32 PM THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER REPORT 6/9: Hyden's (Virtual Time) rundown of all the fights, all the drama in a 2 hour episode on Spike TV

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By Frank Hyden, MMATorch contributor

THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER REPORT
June 9, 2010
AIRED ON SPIKE TV

The episode starts with Dana White showing the new gym and training facility to Rich Franklin. Rich also signs the contract to fight Chuck Liddell. Dana introduces Rich to the former Team Ortiz. Dana also brings in assistant coaches to help Rich. The assistants are Forrest Griffin, Gray Maynard, and Tyson Griffin.

Team Franklin is training with their new coaches. They're really trying to help Kris McCray with his upcoming fight. Team Liddell is in the gym next. Chuck complains some about Tito Ortiz pulling out of their fight. John Hackleman discuss how Court McGee and Brad Tavares are going to have to fight, which is a bit trying since they're teammates. The coaches are torn because they want to coach both guys during the fight. Court and Brad both want to win, and they understand that just because they're teammates doesn't mean they have to not try as hard as they can.

Everyone in the house pranks Jamie Yager, Kris McCray, Brad Tavares, and Kyle Noke. The guys use Silly String and Blow Horns to wake them up. Brad is upset and destroys the chess set.

The weigh-in goes uneventfully. Dana picks Court McGee to win the fight. That bodes well for Brad since Dana is often wrong with his picks.

FIGHT- Brad Tavares vs. Court McGee
Brad has a 3 inch height advantage but Court has a 2inch reach advantage. Josh Rosenthal is the referee.

ROUND 1- They circle each other to start. They finally clinch after about a minute. They go to the ground, with Court on top. Court just lays there as Brad tries to escape. Brad does escape, and they're back on their feet. Brad clips Court with a few good shots, but nothing major.Leg kick by Court. They clinch again. Brad pushes Court off and away. A few punches are thrown by each guy, but nothing lands. court throws a looping shot, but Brad avoids. They clinch again. Court gets a nice takedown, but Brad stands up. The round ends as both guys vie for position.

ROUND 2- Both guys circle each other tentatively. They're trying to test the range they need. Court lands a nice leg kick. Brad throws one of his own, but Court counters with a straight right. Court goes for a takedown, but Brad is stuffing it. Brad pushes Court away. Brad is using his jab effectively. Court with another leg kick. Both guys are taking shots from the other. Brad with a straight right. Brad stuffs Court again. Brad with a nice combo. Court connects with another leg kick, Brad's jab keeps landing. Court again tries for a takedown, but Brad stuffs it again. The round ends as Court struggles in vain to get Brad down.

ROUND 3- They open with a flurry. Brad with a foul stops the fight momentarily. Brad's jab is just working really well for him. Court hits with another leg kick. The guys are starting to slug now. Court hits Brad with a good combo. Court again tries for a takedown, but Brad's defense is too good. Court gets a few shots on the way out, though. Court rocks Brad with a stuff shot. Brad clinches to recover. Brad hits Court with a huge knee, but Court just takes it. Brad goes for the dreaded foot stomp. Court has the foul this time. Court hits Brad with a nasty leg kick, then follows with a power shot. Court hits Brad low again. Court nails Brad with a left hand that nearly drops him. Court follows up and jumps on Brad's back. Court chokes Brad out, who refuses to tap. Well, I guess Dana's right on this one. Court showed a lot in this fight.

WINNER- Court McGee by Rear-Naked Choke

Dana has brought together both teams to meet some Marines in the gym. The Marines are going to train with the guys. They bring out some pugle sticks and the guys are going at it. Both the Marines and the fighters have a good time. The Marines come to the house for a dinner. Kris McCray's brothers are in the military, so it kind of hits home for him. All the fighters are amazed by the Marines and what they've done.

Team Franklin is training and trying to get Kris ready for his rematch with Josh. They're trying to sharpen his techniques and get him to improve the things he does in the cage. A lot of the things he's doing should help him do a lot better, and not get him as gassed as quickly.

Jamie Yager and Brad Tavares are talking about how they want to get back at the rest of the house for pranking them the other day. They hide some shoes, and throw some beans and rice at a few of the guys. Jamie threw a bag of flour out the window. James Hammortree was pissed. Things quickly escalate and James and Jamie are face-to-face. They cuss each other out. Kyacey Uscola is upset that Yager made a feint at him. Clayton McKinney gets pissed as well and yells at Yager as well. Kyacey goes outside to fight Yager, but Jamie won't come outside. Everyone wants to fight Jamie in the Finale. Jamie's not very popular in the house.

Team Liddell is training Josh Bryant hard for his rematch with Kris. Josh won the first fight, and his coaches are certain that Josh will win again. The weigh-in goes uneventfully, as per usual. Dana picks Josh Bryant to win. I feel kind of weird about that, because I think Josh wins as well. I just don't see how Josh won't win. He already beat him once, it should be probable that he beats him again.

FIGHT- Josh Bryant vs. Kris McCray
Kris has a 2 inch height advantage but Josh has a 2 inch reach advantage. Steve Mazzagatti is the referee.

ROUND 1- They scramble early. Josh drops Kris with a power shot, but Kris battles back. Kris gets a takedown, but Josh gets up. Kris gets another takedown. Josh stands again, but Kris has a leg. Kris gets another takedown. Josh stands up. Kris hits with a body kick. Josh seems to just be waiting for his spot. Kris has more energy than I thought. They're circling each other. Kris nails Josh with a nasty uppercut. Josh misses a looping right. They clinch against the cage. Josh hits with a nice left hook. Josh has Kris on the cage and is pummeling him with shots as the round ends.

ROUND 2- Both guys are swinging early. They clinch against the cage. Kris with a knee to the body. They separate. Kris charges and is unleashing on Josh. They clinch against the cage again. The ref separates them after some inaction. This has turned into a brawl, with both guys swinging. Kris with a straight right. Both guys are tired. They clinch against the fence. Kris with a nice knee to the face of Josh. Kris goes for a takedown, but can't get it. The round ends as they're clinched up.

ROUND 3- Josh connects with a few good power shots, forcing Kris to go for a takedown. He can't get it, though. kris does get clinched up with Josh. They separate. Both guys are swinging for the fences. Kris finally gets a takedown, but Josh fights to his feet. Josh with a powerful uppercut. Josh with a leg kick. They clinch again. Kris hits Josh with a knee to the body. This is a total slugfest. It ain't pretty, but it's a war. Both guys are trading huge shots. I'm surprised there hasn't been a knockout yet. Kris goes for a takedown again. Josh connects with a nice hook. Kris goes for another takedown, but fails.

WINNER- Kris McCray by Decision

Kris has fought 5 times in 6 weeks. That's impressive. The finals is Court McGee vs. Kris McCray. I might have to go with Court in that fight. Kris has gotten better, but Court seems to be just a shade better.

The fights tonight were both good. You could really tell that this means a lot to all the guys. They all laid it out there and left nothing in the cage. Jamie Yager has made himself a marked man, at least by the other fighters in the house. It's time for him to go fight these guys one by one.

This was a fairly good season of TUF. Most of the controversy took place inside the cage. There was some questionable judge decisions, all the more reason to try to finish fights, but that's almost to be expected. This wasn't the best season ever, but it was better than average. I've always been more a fan of the 2-weight class seasons of TUF, but they made this work.
Now, the countdown to the next season begins.

The Ultimate Fighter Finale is June 19th on Spike TV. The main event is Matt Hamill vs. Keith Jardine.