The Ultimate Recap Live*: Episode One

*Recap not actually live

Weekly recaps of The Ultimate Fighter Live, airing Friday night at 10 pm ET/PT on FX. Click here for international channels and here to see past episodes.

Seeing that there was a significant gap between UFC events, I graciously accepted the offer to do The Ultimate Fighter Live Recap. Expect some of the same things that you get from the Downes Side -- expert analysis, proper grammar, and maybe even a reference to the Lincoln-Douglas presidential debates.

After an intro to the new season and format (the show is now half-taped content from the last week of training/living in the house; but the fights at the end of the episodes air live each week) from Dana White we fly through some snapshots of the fighters. Michael Chiesa stands out to me due to his similarities to Cody McKenzie. Not only do they have similar looks, but apparently they both live out of their cars. Now he just needs a submission named after him -- Chies-a-tine or Chies-a-plata are my early favorites.

Next up we go right into team selections. Urijah Faber wins the coin toss, which gives him the right to choose either the first fighter for his team or the first matchup of guys to fight. Faber elects to choose the first fight, giving Cruz the first fighter pick. Later we’ll hear Faber explain how this strategy puts his team in position for a “guaranteed win.”

Cruz takes Justin Lawrence with the first pick (that’s the guy who poured it on and knocked out experienced vet James Krause inside of 90 seconds in the premiere) and Faber chooses Al Iaquinta (the toe ruiner). Cruz fills out his roster with (in order) Sam Sicilia (the 8-second knockout guy from the premiere), Myles Jury (a TUF 13 contestant who had to leave due to injury and a training partner of Cruz in San Diego), Mike Rio, James Vick, Vinc Pichel, Chris Tickle, and Jeremy Larsen. Faber’s crew grows with Cristiano Marcello (the Gracie black belt), Daron Cruickshank, Joe Proctor, Mike Chiesa, John Cofer, Andy Ogle (the British kid) and Chris Saunders (The One With the Mohowak).

The picks go largely without incident until Cruz opts for Chris Tickle because Tickle had been openly lobbying to be on Faber’s team. In a mind-eff of things to come, Cruz explains that he was purposely throwing a wrench into Faber’s plans – since everyone knew Tickle was Faber-focused, Faber didn’t have to use up one of his picks on him, because he knew Dominick wouldn’t take him. Or in his words, “I took him because Urijah would take him, and by me taking him, Faber couldn’t take him anymore because he was taken.” While I applaud him for showing all the verb tenses of take (despite lack of the pluperfect) it was a little confusing. we’ll see if “Bad Boy” Tickle ends up being a great pick up or if it’ll just be a really creepy piece of fan fiction.

After a couple of training clips, the guys gather in the gym for the fight announcement. As the teams are waiting, we get a little of the beloved trash talk between the two coaches. Faber confronts Cruz about comments he made in UFC magazine about Urijah’s parents helping him set up a gym. Faber warns Cruz against bringing his family up, and tells him to stop. Dominick apologizes and says he meant no offense. Faber accepts Cruz’ apology on behalf of his dad (really.)

Reasoned discussion followed by an apology and understanding -- are you listening, Jon and Rashad?! The church bake sale I went to last week had more tension than that. (In my defense, those cookies were over-baked and I deserved a refund.)

Team Faber decides to pit Michael Cruickshank against James Vick. The prevailing attitude is that boxer Vick is too one-dimensional for this fight and that Cruickshank, a seasoned kickboxer trained by his parents (“My mom can beat up your dad,” he smiles), will easily win. Even Cruz admits that his fighter is the underdog. Now, I have an unfair bias in favor of lanky lightweights, so right away I was hoping that Vick wouldn’t embarrass himself.

After some more training clips, the coaches call Michael Chiesa into the back. He takes a phone call from his mother, who informs him that his father has died of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Chiesa later meets with Dana White and learns that he’ll be able to leave the house for the funeral and return if he wants. Chiesa immediately says he’ll return and compete. Chiesa is obviously devastated, and frankly, his raw emotion and the unflinching cameras make it devastating to watch.

After a level of gravitas previosly unseen on TUF, it’s fight time. Vick gets a pep talk backstage from Cruz, who implores him to go out and have fun. Vick’s only response is a nervous-sounding “Yes, sir.” Meanwhile in the Team Faber locker room, Cruickshank is relaxed and ready to get out there.

The first few minutes are uneventful. Crankshaft (isn't that easier to remember?!) throws some flashy Tae Kwon Do kicks that look cool, but like most of what you buy at Bed Bath & Beyond, don’t really accomplish much. Suddenly, 'Shaft dives in on a double leg and eats a hard right knee to the face. It puts him out cold and lanky underdog James Vick is on his way to the quarterfinals. All in all, things worked out well for Vick -- except for when Jon Anik totally left him hanging during the post fight interview.

The show closes with the fight selection for next week and a big psychological play by Dom. Cruz pulls a slick move by choosing first-pick Justin Lawrence for next week’s bout, then telling Faber to pick who from his team he wants to battle Lawrence. Faber sits in stunned silence, unsure who to send in, and asks his team if any of them are “ready to scrap.” No one on Team Faber makes a move. I hadn’t heard that much awkward silence since I told my parents I was ditching grad school to become a professional fighter.

Finally, Cruz picks Marcello and the match that many fans expected to see at the Finale is set for next week. Will Team Cruz’s number-one pick show his worth? Will Team Faber get their first win with their second choice? Will someone finally urinate on someone/something? Find out next week!

In the meantime, be sure to follow me on twitter @dannyboydownes, the show at @InsideTUF and leave comments. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m writing this on St. Patrick’s Day and I have a couple Irish stereotypes to fulfill.

Here’s the season at a glance:

Team Cruz
Myles Jury
Jeremy Larsen
Justin Lawrence - schedued to fight Cristiano Marcello in episode 2
Vinc Pichel
Mike Rio
Sam Sicilia
Chris Tickle
James Vick - (1-0) won via KO over Daron Cruickshank in episode 1

Team Faber
Mike Chiesa
John Cofer
Daron Cruickshank - (0-1) lost to James Vick in episode 1
Al Iaquinta
Cristiano Marcello - scheduled to fight Justin Lawrence in episode 2
Andy Ogle
Joe Proctor
Chris Saunders

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TUF 12 Episode Ten Recap

CAUTION: SPOILERS INCLUDED – This week, two quarterfinal matchups remain on The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck, and we will find out who will join Nam Phan and Jonathan Brookins in the semifinals. The four remaining fighters in contention for the last two spots in the semis are Kyle Watson, who takes on Aaron Wilkinson, and Michael Johnson, who battles heated rival – and teammate - Alex Caceres.

In the first bout, it’s the veteran Watson and the UK’s Wilkinson squaring off, and Watson draws first blood with a takedown in the opening minute. Wilkinson tries to stay close to force a re-start, but the Team GSP fighter keeps working as he looks for a submission. With the three minutes left, Wilkinson is briefly able to get back to his feet, but Watson puts him down again, this time ending up in the mount position. Wilkinson turns to escape, but gives up his back. Moments later, Watson sinks in a rear naked choke that produces a tap and ends the bout.

Following the bout, Team GSP coach Georges St-Pierre brings in another special guest to work with his squad, renowned boxing trainer Freddie Roach, the man behind Manny Pacquiao.

St-Pierre has made a decision regarding the final quarterfinal bout, opting to not corner either of his team members.

“Alex and Michael hate each other, and the best way to take care of that problem is to make them fight together,” said the welterweight champ.

A definite fan of Caceres is opposing coach Josh Koscheck, who tries to stir the pot by saying St-Pierre is using Caceres as the sacrificial lamb for his top prospect, Johnson. St-Pierre and Johnson laugh the barbs off though.

After some crisp exchanges to kick off the Johnson vs Caceres bout, Johnson scores a quick takedown. The fighters get back to their feet fairly quickly, and Johnson knocks Caceres’ mouthpiece out before putting his foe on his back again. Both fighters stay active, and in a scramble, Caceres stands and fires off some flurries. Caceres looks like he’s getting his rhythm, but as soon as Johnson gets him against the fence, he regains control. Caceres finishes the fast-paced round strong though.

Johnson gets the bout to the mat immediately in round two, and his superior wrestling is causing problems for Caceres. After pushing his opponent against the fence, Johnson works his ground strikes, giving Caceres enough space to get back to his feet, but only briefly. Another scramble finds Caceres on top, and he’s able to get some strikes off before the two stand, yet in the end, it’s Johnson with another takedown. With under a minute left, Caceres gets up, but he’s unable to mount a serious offensive charge, instead getting slammed to the mat and kept there to the bell.

Scores across the board were 20-18 for Johnson, who moves on to the semifinals.

When UFC President Dana White meets with the coaches to discuss the semifinal matchups, he expects that there will be some debate, but the three quickly come to a decision, and the bouts are:

Nam Phan vs Michael Johnson
Kyle Watson vs Jonathan Brookins

Here’s how the teams look:

Team GSP
Michael Johnson 2-0
Jonathan Brookins 2-0
Spencer Paige – Eliminated on episode five by Nam Phan
Alex Caceres 1-1 – Eliminated in quarterfinals by Michael Johnson
Kyle Watson 2-0
Cody McKenzie 1-1 – Eliminated in quarterfinals by Nam Phan
Dane Sayers – Eliminated on episode seven by Sako Chivitchian

Team Koscheck
Marc Stevens – Eliminated on episode six by Cody McKenzie; lost in Wild Card bout to Aaron Wilkinson.
Sevak Magakian – Eliminated on episode six by Jonathan Brookins
Sako Chivitchian 1-1 – Eliminate in quarterfinals by Jonathan Brookins
Andrew Main – Eliminated on episode four by Kyle Watson
Nam Phan 2-0
Aaron Wilkinson 1-1 – Eliminated on episode three by Michael Johnson; brought back for Wild Card bout, defeats Marc Stevens. Eliminated in quarterfinals by Kyle Watson.
Jeffrey Lentz – Eliminated on episode two by Alex Caceres

For weekly recaps of The Ultimate Fighter, as well as fighter profiles, stay tuned to UFC.com.

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TUF 12 Episode Seven Recap

It’s time for the final preliminary match on The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck, but when Dane Sayers and Sako Chivitchian finish taking care of their business, two fighters will be chosen for the Wild Card bout and a second chance at glory. After the official announcement of the Dane Sayers-Sako Chivitchian bout, it is revealed that Team GSP’s Spencer Paige is out of the running for the Wild Card bout after breaking his right hand in his loss to Nam Phan. The injury and his subsequent surgery will keep him in a cast for three months.

“It sucks that I’m out,” said Paige, “but everything happens for a reason.”

That leaves Team Koscheck’s Jeff Lentz, Marc Stevens, Sevak Magakian, Andy Main, and Aaron Wilkinson as the current candidates for the Wild Card bout.

Meanwhile, back in the gym, Koscheck continues his poking and prodding of Team GSP, now turning his attention to team medic Brad Tate, but then it’s off to the baseball diamond at Las Vegas’ Cashman Field for the traditional Coaches’ Challenge. This time, it’s a batting contest between Koscheck and St-Pierre for $10,000, with each member of the winning team earning $1,500.

Koscheck blasts out of the gate fast, with seven runs in the first inning to GSP’s three. Kos is even more impressive in inning number two with nine runs, but GSP, who had never swung a bat before this competition, puts seven runs on the board, closing the gap to 16-10 with one inning remaining. Koscheck closes the show in style though, with 18 runs to St-Pierre’s 0, and he emerges victorious 34-10.

“Georges, what happened today on this baseball field, get used to it,” said Koscheck. “Because come December, you’re gonna have the same feeling. Swing and a miss, swing and a miss again, BAP, I crack a home run. Lights out.”

Now it’s time for Koscheck’s win to translate to his team, and Chivitchian is motivated to do the job. It’s Sayers who draws first blood though as he sinks in a guillotine choke after a Chivitchian takedown attempt. After a few moments, Chivitchian escapes and starts firing ground strikes at his foe. Sayers fights his way back to his feet, but he remains pinned to the fence. With 3:25 left, Sayers breaks loose, but Chivitchian remains the aggressor with the exception of a late takedown attempt from the Team GSP member.

Chivitchian opens the second with a throw to the mat, some striking when Sayers gets up, and another takedown followed by ground strikes, making it clear that he wants to finish the fight strong. With three minutes left, Sayers is able to scramble to his feet, but Chivitchian continues to pressure him and keep him locked up against the fence. Eventually, Sayers reverses position and almost gets a takedown, but Chivitchian grabs the fence, drawing a warning from referee Josh Rosenthal. From there, Chivitchian simply keeps Sayers pinned, securing the unanimous decision win for the Armenian battler.

Sayers is still alive in consideration for the Wild Card bout, and now it’s time for GSP, Koscheck and UFC President Dana White to decide who will get a second shot at staying in the competition. And the winners are…Aaron Wilkinson and Marc Stevens.

With Chivitchian’s win, Team GSP finishes up the prelims at 6-1. Here’s how the teams look:

Team GSP
Michael Johnson 1-0
Jonathan Brookins 1-0
Spencer Paige – Eliminated on episode five by Nam Phan
Alex Caceres 1-0
Kyle Watson 1-0
Cody McKenzie 1-0
Dane Sayers – Eliminated on episode seven by Sako Chivitchian

Team Koscheck
Marc Stevens – Eliminated on episode six by Cody McKenzie
Sevak Magakian – Eliminated on episode six by Jonathan Brookins
Sako Chivitchian 1-0
Andrew Main – Eliminated on episode four by Kyle Watson
Nam Phan 1-0
Aaron Wilkinson – Eliminated on episode three by Michael Johnson
Jeffrey Lentz – Eliminated on episode two by Alex Caceres

For weekly recaps of The Ultimate Fighter, as well as fighter profiles, stay tuned to UFC.com.

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TUF 12 Episode Six Recap

CAUTION: SPOILERS INCLUDED – On last week’s episode of The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck, Josh Koscheck’s squad finally got on the board thanks to Nam Phan’s win over Spencer Paige. Now the task is to see if they can grab two victories in a row. Still basking in the glow of victory, Josh Koscheck has control of the next fight pick and he and his team are pondering which matchup to make. Meanwhile, the members of Team GSP aren’t too happy about Team Koscheck’s post-fight celebration after the Phan-Paige fight, and they’re vowing to get even.

“I think the yellow team completely forgot that we already won three fights and we didn’t rub it in at all, and it shows their true side – they’re just not good sports.”

Koscheck didn’t make matters any better when he came to the house and started getting into some trash talk with Team GSP’s Michael Johnson. But what really matters is what happens in the Octagon, and for this week’s first fight, Team Koscheck’s Marc Stevens is pitted against Cody McKenzie, who gives Koscheck a little poke in the face at the square off with his opponent.

And when the bell rings, McKenzie lives up to his confident words, taking Stevens out within seconds with his signature move – the guillotine choke.

“Man…oof,” is all Koscheck can say. “Did that just happen?”

With the win, Team GSP moves to 4-1 and regains control of the fight picks. And in the next fight, St-Pierre picks Jonathan Brookins to face Sevak Magakian.

First, there’s a little bad news for St-Pierre, who gets cut on the eyebrow while training with his team, but he insists to his future opponent, Koscheck, that he’ll be ready for their December bout in Montreal.

In this week’s second bout, Brookins takes control early with a nice takedown, and when Magakian tries to scramble up, Brookins takes his back. Magakian makes it to his feet, but eventually he succumbs to a rear naked choke and, like Stevens, gets put to sleep.

With this second win of the week, Team GSP improves to 5-1 and retains control. Here’s how the teams look:

Team GSP
Michael Johnson 1-0
Jonathan Brookins 1-0
Spencer Paige – Eliminated on episode five by Nam Phan
Alex Caceres 1-0
Kyle Watson 1-0
Cody McKenzie 1-0
Dane Sayers

Team Koscheck
Marc Stevens – Eliminated on episode six by Cody McKenzie
Sevak Magakian – Eliminated on episode sic by Jonathan Brookins
Sako Chivitchian
Andrew Main – Eliminated on episode four by Kyle Watson
Nam Phan 1-0
Aaron Wilkinson – Eliminated on episode three by Michael Johnson
Jeffrey Lentz – Eliminated on episode two by Alex Caceres

For weekly recaps of The Ultimate Fighter, as well as fighter profiles, stay tuned to UFC.com.

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TUF 12 Episode Four Recap

CAUTION: SPOILERS INCLUDED – 14 lightweight prospects have fought their way into the house on The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck. Two have made it to the quarterfinals. Who will be the third? “If every fight is going to be like that, back and forth, you guys are going to give me a heart attack,” said Team GSP coach Georges St-Pierre after Michael Johnson’s win over Aaron Wilkinson on last week’s episode. But Johnson is still basking in the glory of the victory since it took place in front of boxing legend Mike Tyson, and “Iron Mike” is more than willing to share some of his knowledge with Team GSP after the bout.

Meanwhile, after an 0-2 start, Koscheck is ready to lay down the law on his team in the gym during their next training session.

“If that’s not enough to motivate you,” said Kos of his team’s winless record, “then you’re in the wrong sport.”

And Team Koscheck is motivated, ready to work and ready to get on the scoreboard.

Things are getting heated up even back in the house, as Sevak Magakian and Jeff Lentz don’t take too kindly to some of the statements made by Alex Caceres during Johnson’s fight, calling it unprofessional. Things get particularly heated between Magakian and Caceres, with Nam Phan being forced to break things up as Magakian goes at his rival.

“I think these guys love to hate me,” said Caceres.

After some light-hearted banter between the coaches, St-Pierre picks this week’s fight: Team GSP’s Kyle Watson vs. Team Koscheck’s Andrew Main. It’s a battle between the oldest (Watson, 30) and youngest (Main, 21) fighters in the competition, and both come from solid camps, Watson from Matt Hughes’ H.I.T. Squad and Main from New Jersey’s AMA Fight Club. But all that matters to Koscheck is getting the win for his team.

“This is the most important fight of this competition for us,” said Koscheck. “It’s all about attitude. You’ve got ten minutes to win a fight. You can do anything for ten minutes.”

Early on, the two trade strikes, with both fighters having their moments. Soon after, they lock up, with Main taking Watson’s back as they stand against the fence. Main is the busier fighter, using his punches to force Watson to the mat. Watson remains patient and gets free with two minutes left. He lands a few ground strikes before the bell, ending the round strong.

Watson looks winded between rounds, and Koscheck notices it. In response, Main goes after Watson with his striking attack at the bell for round two, but Watson turns the tables with a takedown. Midway through the round, Main gives up his back, and eventually Watson is able to sink in the rear naked choke that produces a tap out and the victory.

Koscheck is inconsolable after the loss.

“I’m heartbroken. We’ve had three fights that have been close and I’m real disappointed right now.”

With the win, Team GSP takes a 3-0 lead in the competition and retains control. Here’s how the teams look:

Team GSP
Michael Johnson 1-0
Jonathan Brookins
Spencer Paige
Alex Caceres 1-0
Kyle Watson 1-0
Cody McKenzie
Dane Sayers

Team Koscheck
Marc Stevens
Sevak Magakian
Sako Chivitchian
Andrew Main – Eliminated on episode four by Kyle Watson
Nam Phan
Aaron Wilkinson – Eliminated on episode three by Michael Johnson
Jeffrey Lentz – Eliminated on episode two by Alex Caceres

For weekly recaps of The Ultimate Fighter, as well as fighter profiles, stay tuned to UFC.com.

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