...OH, ONE MORE THING - PLEASE BOOKMARK US & VISIT DAILY!
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
The ninth season of the Ultimate Fighter officially comes to a close tonight with the live finale on Spike. DaMarques Johnson faces James Wilks for the TUF welterweight crown and Andre Winner faces Ross Pearson for the lightweight crown. Also, in the main event, Diego Sanchez takes on Clay Guida in a lightweight showcase. Stick here for live round by round updates throughout the event.
-Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan introduce the show and break down the main event for the evening and then the two Ultimate Fighter final fights. We're starting tonight with Diaz vs. Stevenson after the break.
[Commercial Break]
FIGHT ONE: NATE DIAZ VS. JOE STEVENSON (LIGHTWEIGHT)
PRE FIGHT: Diaz said Stevenson shouldn't have signed the paper to fight him because now he's the enemy and he's going for the kill. Stevenson said he wants everyone to see how much better he's gotten so he can get back to another title shot. He said he doesn't go with a gameplan, he's a mixed martial artist and he'll whoop his ass from anywhere.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND ONE: Diaz immediately comes at Stevenson. Stevenson shoots in for a takedown and Diaz holds onto a guillotine. Stevenson worked out of it eventually but Diaz had it on pretty tight for awhile. Stevenson stands and gets into half guard and tries to throw a few shots. He lands some good right hands as Diaz tries to get to his knees. Stevenson controls Diaz with a crucifix on the back. Diaz moves it to the cage and tries to roll Stevenson over and Nate gets Stevenson to his back. Stevenson locks a guillotine and Diaz tries to power out of it. It's really tight but Diaz rolls over to his back and gets loose. Stevenson tries to posture up and Diaz scrambles to his feet. Stevenson gets him down again and gets to side control. Diaz again gets Stevenson off him and gets to his feet. Stevenson holds onto him and throws a couple of knees to the head. Diaz drops to a knee to avoid the knees and the round closes.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Stevenson. Very good control throughout that round by Stevenson. Good tactical start to this fight.
ROUND TWO: Diaz lands a couple of shots and Stevenson shoots in for a takedown. Diaz again tries to lock in the guillotine but Stevenson rolls him off. They roll through on the ground and Stevenson gets back to his feet and throws a knee in a clinch. He's got an arm over Diaz's head and throws some good knees to the thighs of Diaz. Diaz gets back up to his feet and Stevenson takes him down again. He postures up and throws a couple of shots. Diaz throws his feet up in a triangle attempt but Stevenson stands up and carries him over to the cage. Stevenson grapples Diaz on the cage after Diaz got back up to his feet again. Stevenson lands a knee to the inside of the thigh and then he grabs a single leg. Diaz tried to drop and grab something and Stevenson scrambled to get on top. Diaz throws some shots from the bottom as Stevenson tries to improve his position. Diaz again throws his legs up for a triangle and Stevenson holds him off. Diaz gets back to his feet as the round ends.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Stevenson. The control again was all in Stevenson's corner, though he hasn't been able to do too much when on the ground so far. He's just overpowering Diaz right now.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND THREE: Stevenson shoots in and grabs a single leg early and rolls Diaz down. Diaz tries to climb up the cage and Stevenson rolls him down again. Diaz again gets to his feet and he throws Stevenson down and moves eventually into Stevenson's guard. Diaz pops up and throws a couple of shots. Stevenson tried to throw him off and Diaz tries to throw another shot. Diaz tried to lock in a choke and Stevenson scrambled out. Stevenson gets to his feet again and gets Diaz down. He throws some knees to the body and the leg with Diaz down on the ground. Diaz yells out "come on Joe get to work bitch." Diaz stands back up and Stevenson grabs a single leg again. Diaz finally gets Stevenson off him and they stand with a minute left. Diaz lands a couple. Stevenson shoots in and Diaz barely misses a throw. Diaz misses a couple of shots. Stevenson shoots in from across the cage and runs into the cage. Diaz tries to throw a couple of shots but doesn't have too much time left on the clock. The round ends.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Stevenson. Not much going on in that round, they kind of off set each other. Stevenson again had the majority of control, however, and will take this decision.
[Commercial Break]
WINNER: Stevenson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
POST FIGHT: Stevenson gives Diaz a ton of credit and calls for an applause for him. He says Diaz makes his opponents tired and does a good job there but he pulled it out. He says happy Father's Day to all the father's in the crowd.
STAR RATING: (**+) That was a very good technical battle between these two but may have been boring for some. It was a really good back and forth battle, though, with both nearly getting submissions locked in at one point. Stevenson won with control and better wrestling there, and was a much needed win.
RAMIFICATIONS: Diaz will rebound, but this was a desperately needed victory for Joe "Daddy." Another win against a higher end lightweight and he may get himself back toward another title shot at some point in his career.
[Commercial Break]
FIGHT TWO: ANDRE WINNER VS. ROSS PEARSON (TUF 9 LIGHTWEIGHT FINAL)
PRE FIGHT: Winner talked about his mom telling him he needed to get a job because he may not get his dream. They highlighted his training in England now that he's been away from the show. He said him and Ross trained together leading up to the show not knowing they would face each other and says this is a start of a bigger dream. Pearson says he's proud to be from the northeast. Pearson's got a cool dog. He says he didn't go onto the show to be a tv star, he did it to get the contract. He predicts a war. He says Winner won't be taking him out.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND ONE: They both come out to the center of the cage and each feigns a few shots early. Pearson engages first and lands a couple of shots. They trade leg kicks shortly thereafter. Winner comes in with a quick right but Pearson counters nicely with a quick combo. Winner lands a couple of shots and then shoots in and they clinch on the cage. Winner threw a couple of knees against the cage. Pearson responds with a couple of knees himself. They battle for position on the cage, each throwing knees to the body. They both score another good knee. Still a position battle on the cage after a little while and then Pearson gets Winner's back on the cage. Winner finally backs out and lands an elbow. Pearson responds with a few knees to the body. Pearson tries to go for knee to the body and then they both throw a knee and Pearson gets one low. They restart and both trade quick shots in a collar and tie. Pearson then grabs a single leg but Winner holds him off. Winner grabs a Thai clinch and lands a knee to the body. They trade knees to the body again. Winner backs off and lands a few really good shots to finish the round and that may have been enough to steal it.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Winner. He stole it with the late flurry after an extremely close round where both battled for position and kind of canceled each other out.
ROUND TWO: Pearson lands a body kick and then a leg kick early. They're both a bit tentative early here. Pearson gets another good leg kick in. He then comes in and clinches again. They're again battling in the clinch on the cage. Pearson shoots for that single leg again but Winner holds it off. He separates briefly to throw an uppercut. They again trade knees here in the clinch on the cage. Winner lands two more knees. He gets in a good elbow from the outside. Winner throws a couple of shots. Pearson lands a good uppercut and then another knee. They finally separate and Pearson lands a punch and goes for a high kick. Winner comes in and eats a right hand from Pearson. Pearson got in another knee to the body before shooting in for a takedown that's stuffed by Winner again. Pearson puts Winner's back on the cage now. Pearson throws a nice elbow and another knee. Winner gets in another short flurry at the end of the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Pearson. He landed some more shots there in another stalemate style round.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND THREE: They both come to the center and trade shots immediately. Pearson lands a good shot and again shoots in and they clinch on the cage with Winner's back on the cage. They battle with knees and punches from the clinch here yet again. Pearson gets in a good uppercut. They separate and Pearson lands a good knee and an elbow. Pearson comes in with a good shot and they start trading wild shots with both landing solid right hands. Winner clinches again and gets Pearson's back on the cage. They trade punches in the clinch. Pearson lands a few really good shots before they separate. Winner then gets him back to the cage and lands a couple of punches to the body. Pearson lands a good leg kick and Winner lands a counter right. Pearson puts Winner against the cage again. Winner gets off the cage and Pearson throws some shots from the clinch. Winner responds in kind. Pearson drops for the single leg again and almost gets the takedown but Winner gets back to his feet. Pearson lands a knee to the face. Pearson lands a good uppercut again. They trade shots in the clinch again and then they separate. They come to the center and trade punches with Pearson landing a good right. Winner gets Pearson's back to the cage and they trade shots in the clinch. They separate and Pearson lands a big knee and a big elbow as the round ends.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Pearson. He did some damage in that round, although just slightly more than Winner. It's going to be extremely close no matter who wins.
[Commercial Break]
WINNER: Pearson via unanimous decision.
PRE FIGHT: Dana White congratulates Pearson and gives him the trophy. Pearson says happy birthday to his mother in the crowd and thanks his family and gives Winner props for being a great fighter. He said it was easy to fight a friend because he would have fought anyone.
STAR RATING: (**) That was another good fight, but they definitely canceled each other out. It was a very tough fight to score but the right man won in my opinion.
RAMIFICATIONS: Pearson steps into the deep waters of the UFC lightweight division now, and Winner will surely get another shot in the Octagon. Good fight and good showing from both guys.
[Commercial Break]
FIGHT THREE: CHRIS LYTLE VS. KEVIN BURNS (WELTERWEIGHT)
PRE FIGHT: Burns says they're both going to stand in the pocket and trade in this fight. Lytle said what he'd really like to do is get both the "Fight of the Night" and "Knockout of the Night."
[Commercial Break]
ROUND ONE: Lytle unloads the first shot with a big right hand. Burns comes forward with a shot. Lytle unloads with another couple of shots. They trade shots against the cage. Burns lands a leg kick. Lytle lands a big left hand. Burns throws a high kick that gets blocked. Lytle lands a big left hand again. They trade shots again. Burns comes in and lands a left. Lytle throws a wild right. Burns lands a good right hand flush. Lytle comes forward wildly and Burns avoids the shots. Lytle lands a big right to the body. Burns lands a good body kick. He comes in with a leg kick right after. Lytle lands a left. Lytle is coming forward wildly in this fight. Lytle lands a big left hand. Burns pushes forward with a couple of left hands. Burns lands a hard kick low and the action is stalled. Lytle recovers and they restart. Lytle lands a good right and then a good body kick. Burns lands a big right that drops Lytle. He lands another one and tries to unload with shots. Lytle recovers and grapples Burns back to his feet. Burns separates and lands a big elbow. He lands a bunch of shots in succession on the cage. He then comes in with a big knee before the round ends.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Burns. He was losing the round until that last minute. He rocked Lytle with a big shot and landed a few more before the round ended.
ROUND TWO: Lytle lands a big right and a body kick early. He rocks Burns with a right hand and chases him down to throw a few more. Burns recovers. Burns comes in with a big shot and backs Lytle up. Lytle lands two hard right hands to the body before Burns backs out. Burns shot in and got a takedown. Lytle almost immediately works back to his feet. Lytle stalks Burns down and lands a good body shot. He lands a couple over the top. Burns throws a good right to the body. Lytle again with the body shot. Big right from Lytle connects. Lytle comes forward with another right. Burns throws one of his own. Lytle comes forward with a big left. Another right hand from Lytle. Lytle pushes forward with a few more shots. He backs Burns up to the cage again and lands a few more body shots. Burns throws a kick again that lands low once again. He gives Burns a final warning before they restart. Lytle lands a big right and a body kick. Another big right and body kick from Lytle. Burns lands a punch and runs off. Lytle lands a good left as he keeps walking Burns down. Lytle lands another good body punch. Another couple of body shots land from Lytle. Burns lands a third low kick square. Lytle comes forward as they restart and lands a few punches and a straight kick. They trade shots as the round ends.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Lytle. He was the aggressor and landed a ton of shots and doled out punishment to the body of Burns there. Sloppy fight so far.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND THREE: Lytle catches a kick and throws a huge right that cuts Burns up badly. Burns throws a kick. Lytle lands a few more shots and keeps walking Burns down. Lytle lands a straight left. Burns landed a big body shot. He backed off and came in with another one. He lands a superman punch. Lytle counters and lands a big right hand. Lytle lands a combo as Burns throws a body kick. Lytle again lands a good right to the body. Burns lands a body shot and backs off as Lytle comes at him. Lytle lands another big right hand to the body. He comes in with a combo to the body. Big right from Lytle rocks Burns. He lands another one. He stalks Burns down and lands a couple of light punches. Burns lands a counter right. Burns lands another big right hand and a kick to the body. Big combo with a right left right from Lytle. He lands another right hand and Burns stays on his feet. Another punishing right hand from Lytle. He presses even more and lands a few shots. Body shots from Lytle land in the center. Burns misses a shot and eats a right hand. He throws a head kick that gets blocked. Lytle pushes him back with a feint and lands a shot. He lands another good body shot. Lytle comes forward with another two punch combo. They trade shots wildly as the round comes to a close.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Lytle. Again the agressor, not to mention the nasty cut he opened up, Lytle did enough to win that fight with a bunch of power shots landing. Give Burns credit for hanging with him the whole way.
[Commercial Break]
WINNER: Lytle via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
POST FIGHT: Lytle says if they both fought hard and had a great fight. He said he tried to whether the storm after getting rocked in the first and he recovered alright.
STAR RATING: (***) Good brawl, especially in the third. Lytle knows what he is as a fighter and he fought a Chris Lytle fight. Good win for him.
RAMIFICATIONS: Lytle hangs around as a mid card staple and probably gets himself another "Fight of the Night" check depending on the other two with that third round. Burns probably sticks around for at least one more fight, but he'll need to likely win that bout to stay in the Octagon.
[Commercial Break]
-Joe Rogan talks to Brock Lesnar via satellite from his camp in Minnesota. Lesnar's got a soul thin chin goatee going right now. He says he's winding down his camp and said Mir's luck is going to run out in this fight. He says he tries to stay humble and is trying not to look too far out ahead. He said he's just trying to stay focused. Lesnar said winning is what's most important to him. Lesnar got his award from Spike for the "World's Most Dangerous Man" award from Spike's Guy's Choice program because he wasn't able to attend due to his wife being nine months pregnant.
[Commercial Break]
FIGHT FOUR: DAMARQUES JOHNSON VS. JAMES WILKS (TUF 9 WELTERWEIGHT FINAL)
PRE FIGHT: DaMarques says he wasn't put here just to fight but it's one of the tools he can use to better himself as a person. He says there's something about the actual act of fighting that makes his soul happy. He says his grappling and everything has improved since the show. He says he needs to remove Wilks to attain his dream. Wilks says he's starting a new MMA school due to him being on the show and getting that publicity. He said he's working on some specifics in training partial to what DaMarques is good at. He said anything less than winning isn't going to be enough for him.
-First preview airs for TUF 10 with Rashad, Rampage and Kimbo.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND ONE: Wilks rocks Johnson early with a couple of shots and lands a couple of knees in the clinch. Johnson gets loose. Wilks lands a good jab. Johnson lands a right hand. Wilks gets Johnson in the Thai clinch and lands a bunch of knees. Wilks goes for a takedown and Johnson tries to fight it off but Wilks does get him down. He tries to posture up and then drops for a heel hook. He can't get it however and Johnson gets on top of him and lands a few shots. He gets Johnson's leg compressed as Johnson tries to throw punches. DaMarques gets out and gets into Wilks' guard. Wilks almost gets the omoplata but it's loose. He gets the triangle locked in after an ill advised throw from Johnson. He gets the omopolata again and Johnson gets out of it. DaMarques pops back to his feet with Wilks on his back. Wilks drags DaMarques to the ground as Damarques grabs his arm. He gets one hook in from the back. He gets both hooks in and goes for the choke. Johnson holds him off and keeps his chin low. Wilks gets the choke locked in with ten seconds left and forces DaMarques to tap with :08 seconds left.
[Commercial Break]
WINNER: Wilks via submission (rear naked choke) at 4:54 of the first round.
POST FIGHT: DaMarques hands the trophy to James as Dana announces it to him. Wilks said this is the best moment of his life and he thanks White and the Fertittas for the opportunity. He plugs his new gym.
STAR RATING: (***) That was an excellent performance from Wilks. Almost flawless. He rocked DaMarques almost immediately and then pulled out submission attempt after submission attempt, frustrating Johnson throughout, and finally got the choke locked in with almost no time left in the round to take the crown.
RAMIFICATIONS: Wilks was impressive. His ground game is no joke and he'll give some guys fits in the welterweight division. He's nowhere near a top of the class guy at this point, but damn if that wasn't a great fight by him tonight. DaMarques will likely get at least one more shot in the Octagon, but he'll have to win that fight to stick around if Vinny Magalhaes is any example.
[Commercial Break]
MAIN EVENT FIGHT FIVE: DIEGO SANCHEZ VS. CLAY GUIDA (LIGHTWEIGHT)
PRE FIGHT: Rogan and Goldberg talk both Sanchez and Guida up here before going to the prefight package. Guida said he's going to make Sanchez get the look of "what did I get myself into." Sanchez says Guida's going to be hurt by the fact that he doesn't respect what Diego's done in the past. He said he feels he can finish the fight anywhere it goes. He said this fight's about his destiny, and he's one step away from getting a title shot. Guida bounces off the walls on his way to the cage and Sanchez comes out eyeing Guida intensely as he walks out to the cage.
ROUND ONE: Sanchez comes across the cage and they start wildly swinging and Diego rocks Guida right off the bat. He unleashes with a ton of shots. He lands a flying knee and Guida's lost his mouthpiece. Diego lands a buynch more shots with Guida's back to the cage. He comes in with another flying knee. Big straight left lands from Sanchez and he smashes Guida again. Guida shoots in and gets a takedown and this thing slows down for a minute. Holy hell what a start. Diego holds control of Guida from his full guard here. Guida lands a nice elbow and a good right hand. Guida pushes Sanchez against the cage. Diego pulls rubber guard and pushes Guida off. He gets back to his feet and Sanchez lands a shot. Rosenthal finally halts it to give Guida his mouthpiece back. Guid'a bleeding badly. Sanchez knocks Guida down with a head kick. He gets on him but Guida recovers and gets back to his feet somehow. Sanchez pushes forward and gets Guida's back to the cage and lands three straight uppercuts. He lands another combo on the cage and Guida tries to hold him. Sanchez finally picks him up and throws him to the ground and gets into his half guard. Diego puts his forearm onto the neck of Guida. Guida works out of it back to his feet and they swing to finish the round. Good lord what a start to this fight.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Sanchez. I don't know how Clay Guida is standing after the punishment dished out by Sanchez there. Amazing first round and Sanchez looks awesome right now.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND TWO: Much slower start and Sanchez goes for the head kick again. He lands a few shots as he stalks Guida down. Guida shoots in and gets the takedown. Sanchez throws elbows to the head from his back in his guard. Guida tries to posture up but Sanchez covers up nicely. Sanchez rolls to the side and tries to grab a kimura. Guida's trying to get out and Sanchez lets it go. Guida lands a few shots as Sanchez backs up to the cage. Guida gets a forearm loose and lands a couple of shots. Guida lands a hammer fist and Sanchez responds with elbows from the bottom again. He's landing more sick elbows from the bottom here and Guida just covers up. Sanchez tries to pull rubber guard. He goes back to the elbows and Guida is bleeding really bad. Guida tries to throws some shots and Sanchez almost locked in an armbar. Guida lands a forearm to end the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Sanchez. Guida got the takedown but Sanchez did the damage from the bottom with those elbows. Guida tried to use the lay and pray but those elbows did some major damage and he was actively working from his back. Guida may take it on some but it's Sanchez for me.
ROUND THREE: Guida throws a leg kick early in the round. Sanchez gets in with a good right hand and Guida counters. Sanchez slips coming in. Sanchez throws the high kick again. Sanchez lands a straight left. Sanchez lands another big shot and shrugs off a takedown attempt. Guida comes forward and Sanchez gets out of the way. Sanchez with a right and Guida counters. Guida lands a big right hand. Sanchez comes in and they trade rights. Again Sanchez comes in and they trade. Diego lands a right and Guida lands a big shot. Sanchez with a right to the body and a left up top. Sanchez lands another combo. Sanchez lands a high kick. Guida shot in and Sanchez got off and tried to get his back. Guida rolled out and Sanchez almost got a choke locked in. Sanchez goes for the arm again. Guida's bleeding badly. He gets the arm loose but can't get the kimura locked. He grabs an arm bar but loses it and Guida throws a few shots to finish the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Sanchez. Again active on the ground and ever the aggressor. Guida was close in that one but he wound up on top because of the choke from Sanchez. I can see arguments giving either this one or the second to Guida but honestly Sanchez won this fight in my eyes.
[Commercial Break]
WINNER: Sanchez via split decision (28-29, 29-27, 29-28)
POST FIGHT: Sanchez asks the crowd, "are you not entertained?" Sanchez said the weight cut was tough for him, but he said there's a reason Guida's not been knocked out. Sanchez said he was waiting and hoping a something would open up but it got really slippery with the blood. Guida was still hopping around in his post fight interview and said you can't ever hurt him. He gave Sanchez props and still feels great.
STAR RATING: (****) That was an epic battle and definitely "Fight of the Night." That first round was epic and Guida showed why he's never been knocked out. Unbelievable chin from Guida in that first round and an awesome overall performance for Diego Sanchez.
RAMIFICATIONS: Diego should be next in line for a title shot, no joke, especially if Kenny Florian pulls out the victory in August. Clay Guida can hang with anyone in the Octagon. That was just a tremendous fight from both and they are both going to be around for awhile.
-Well that's another event in the books, and it finished great. It was a slow start to the show and the pacing was a bit off, but the performances of James Wilks, Clay Guida and especially Diego Sanchez made this show worth it. It's another season finished for the Ultimate Fighter and now we'll get Kimbo and the heavyweights in the fall. Thanks for sticking with us again tonight and stick around throughout the week for the fallout from this show and more as we move on to UFC 100 next. It's right around the corner!
DON'T GO YET... WE SUGGEST THESE MMATORCH ARTICLES, TOO!
Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
STAFF COLUMNISTS: Shawn Ennis - Jason Amadi
Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
Interested in joining MMATorch's writing team? Send idea for a theme to your column (for Specialist section) or area of interest (i.e. TV Reporter) along with a sample of writing to mmatorch@gmail.com.
