Ultimate Fighter 6: Episode 12 recap and discussion

By Jesse Holland
The twelfth and final episode kicks off with a quick look at the matches that got us to the semifinals. Scheduled to fight are:
- Mac Danzig vs. Matt Arroyo
- Tommy Speer vs. George Sotiropoulos
That is of course until the nimble and fluid Richie Hightower does a faceplant into Matt Arroyo's ribs during training.
Since we already know that someone bows out early this episode, it's no surprise that Matt's X-Rays reveal a cracked rib.
He gamely confronts Dana about the possibility of continuing and almost looks surprised when Dana doesn't throw his arm around him and exclaim: "Safety first!"
Matt throws in the towel (almost a little too easily) and now it's up to Dana and Coach Serra to recruit his replacement.
Since Serra's first choice (Ben Saunders) is unable to compete due to injury, he runs down his list of sloppy seconds.
Just like season three, not everyone is up for the job. Jon Koppenhaver plans to just swing for the fences until he gasses while Troy Mandaloniz and Richie Hightower are afraid that making weight will be too hard for them on just three days notice.
That leaves John Kolosci, who in an unintentional Ross Pointon impersonation storms in and demands a fight with Mac Danzig. Dana likes what he hears and lines up Kolosci/Danzig II.
I wanted to share Dana's enthusiasm, but in the back of my mind I knew there was a reason their first fight ended the way it did: John and Mac are fighters on two very different levels.
Mac, who is starting to sound more and more like Roy Batty with each passing episode, complains that fighting John for a second time puts him at a disadvantage. I didn't agree but I guess it wouldn't be a Mac segment if he wasn't complaining about something.
A confident John Kolosci starts round one with a low kick. He charges in but Mac spins him like a dradle. John goes back to the low kick. He tries a high kick and lands on his keister ala Shamrock/Franklin.
John kicks again but this time Mac kicks back. Mac backs him up with a combo. Mac with a low kick but John catches it and they tie-up. Mac works him over and gets the takedown.
Mac keeps him immobilized and lands a few questionable shots to the back of the head prompting a Mazzagatti warning. More strikes that get Serra and Hughes yelling at each other from across the cage.
John postures up and Mac sinks in the rear naked choke. John taps and sends Mac to the finals. Serra, rarely at a loss for words, calls it a moral victory for John.
The show quickly shifts gears to prepare for Speer/Sotiropoulos. Hughes reveals that Tommy has a secret weapon: His heavy right hand. Knowing that someone gets KTFO in this episode, I feel a bit cheated with Hughes' revelation.
George clomps around oozing confidence. He tries to give one of those foreboding predictions but comes off sounding a little like Jim Hellwig: "I don't know what round it's going to end, but I know it's going to end." Hughes is not impressed and calls George weak.
Round one opens with some fancy footwork as they try and size each other up. Tommy rushes but George simply sidesteps. Tommy charges again, this time throwing hands and gets a warning about his fingers.
Another Speer bumrush and George gets a thumb to the eye.
McCarthy halts the action and a quick OK from the Doc gets George right back into action (despite Serra's advice to take more recovery time). The fight resumes and George looks like he has trouble with his vision.
Tommy takes advantage of a flatfooted George and lands a right. Then another. George goes down. Tommy mounts and pounds him out. Tommy Speer is heading to the finals to face Mac Danzig.
Team Hughes goes bananas. George wakes up and is obviously devastated but handles it with class.
The matches weren't terrible, but they also weren't spectacular. I think that kind of sums up the season for me.
Dana closes out the show with props for the coaches and a look ahead to the finale. The announcer gets perhaps the biggest laugh of the season when he asks: "Will the farmboy devour the vegan?"
Looks like we'll find out this Saturday.
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49 comments
Comments
Wow, there was a bunch of rubes all over the internet, as the “spoilers”, from months ago, ALL said that Mac loses.
I hope it’s Mac vs George in the finals, as it should be.
by xx2000xx on Dec 5, 2007 10:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Does anyone know if the finale is gonna be in HD? DirecTV has Spike in HD now so this is an option.
by EaZyE on Dec 5, 2007 10:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Not 100% sure, but I’m 90% sure yes, as even if a channel is in HD, but not setup with HD cams, then it won’t be. But UFC has gone all HD now, and downsample for regular users.
I’m 95% sure it is, the more that I think of it.
by xx2000xx on Dec 5, 2007 10:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Tommy knocked the shit out of George!!!!!!!!!!!
by PhilQNY on Dec 5, 2007 10:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
George looked like he was on pcP. That was some seizerish nastty right(s) that doped him..get him to hospital doulbe time.
by PhilQNY on Dec 5, 2007 10:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
So how about this? Serra was the face at the start of the season, then we did a double turn with him being the heel and Hughes being the face. How fitting is it then now, with both Hughes’s fighters going to the finals. Don’t think that was a fluke though, as the editors had all the power, and they worked us to root for this team, to that team etc…. All the spoilers said Mac would lose, but they gave him soooooo much face time that I thought it was odd, yet George had really no time, except for that he is in it for himself and that old bit.
It all makes sense, and we should all learn that tv time = fighters going far, as it’s just a promotional tool. Will farm boy strength rule over the experience vet? Find out this Sat. night.
Too bad we won’t see Hughes vs Serra ever in our lifetime though.
After GSP beats Hughes, then he takes Serra. Hughes will NEVER do a non-title match with Serra, he’ll go after Anderson, if he does beat Hendo, as styles makes fights, and Hughes could beat Anderson. If the talk is true, if he beats Anderson, he’ll retire then.
Rampage and Forrest are the next coaches. LHW title is up for grabs in May 2008. Let the promotional cycle start a new round.
by xx2000xx on Dec 5, 2007 11:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Mac and Tommy in the finals this sat will be nutz..Im leaning towards the farmboy..but regardless lets see if this fight brings tuf finals to the next level.
by PhilQNY on Dec 5, 2007 11:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
wonder if the finger in the eye was a factor.left eye and right hand dropped him. idont know.george looked skiddish.should be a good finale
by jdawg on Dec 5, 2007 11:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Georgw woke up..saying ¨what happened¨..well now he knows.
by PhilQNY on Dec 5, 2007 11:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
should have made them fight in the semi’s
by d-train on Dec 5, 2007 11:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Mac, Tommy, George, Matt and Ben are all good fighters. TUF 6 has to be considered the season with the best talent. There are five legit fighters this season.
I’m pretty excited about Mac v. Tommy. I’m pulling for Tommy. I think Tommy can be a special fighter.
by Andy on Dec 5, 2007 11:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
what happen to matt arroyo ? i havent seen the episode .
by aussie on Dec 5, 2007 11:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I agree that tommy will be a great fighter but the experience of Mac should pull thru. But I think it will be a good one…
goodluck guys have at the.
by anthony cazares on Dec 5, 2007 11:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I say tommy wins and with brute strength. As proven with this fight with george strength beats skill
by matthew on Dec 5, 2007 11:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Matt A..fractured rib..sucks. I was looking forward to his match in the semis..John-Mac 2 was boring..Tommy was the high light of the show.
by PhilQNY on Dec 5, 2007 11:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
[quote comment=“227114”]
After GSP beats Hughes, then he takes Serra. Hughes will NEVER do a non-title match with Serra, he’ll go after Anderson, if he does beat Hendo, as styles makes fights, and Hughes could beat Anderson. If the talk is true, if he beats Anderson, he’ll retire then.
Woah..Hughes beatinng Silva? Thats not happening..Silva beats Henderson and loses to Matt Hughes Nah..if he ever fought Silva..its Gsp part2 on Roids..Don¨t bet your money on Hughes beating Silva..just send that money to charity.
by PhilQNY on Dec 5, 2007 11:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
TUF finale 6:
Main Card
Clay Guida vs. Roger Huerta
Mac Danzig vs. Tommy Speer
Jon Koppenhaver vs. Jared Rollins
Billy Miles vs. George Sotiropoulous
Preliminary Fights
Dan Barrera vs. Ben Saunders (possible swing bout)
Matt Arroyo vs. John Kolosci
Richie Hightower vs. Troy Mandaloniz
Roman Mitichyan vs. Dorian Price
Paul Georgieff vs. Jonathan Goulet
by PhilQNY on Dec 5, 2007 11:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Thanks Philqny, as I knew it all would bet set after this show within the television show.
But who is Billy Miles vs. George Sotiropoulous? Huh, I don’t know who Billy is, but it’s just a easy win.
Paul Georgieff vs. Jonathan Goulet is where it’s at. Most got all ex housemate fights, but not him, Jon Goulet is a beast, and he will fucken kill him, and all knows that too.
That’s a first round KO, that will get TV time, but for the TUF guy, who has 4 fights in his life, and isn’t that good, gets a well seasoned fighter blows my mind.
The KO timer already started about 2 weeks ago when that match got announced, how out of all the TUF kids this year, got somebody, who has the style matchup, to literally KO his ass like Franklin did to Quarrery.
by xx2000xx on Dec 6, 2007 12:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Guess now we know what the real reason behind Dana and the producers’ squelching Serra’s attempt to put Mac versus Tommy as the first fight. That should have been a tipoff to everyone that Hughes was going to be “rescued” and then “resurrected by a little deux ex machina”. The major tribute from Dana for Serra was what everyone already knew: Serra is a great coach and corner man; would he have survived all this time in the business if he weren’t? After the recent MMA fatality, thank God that Matt Arroyo, who is just a kid and Serra who has great instincts as a coach, didn’t cave-in to president Dana’s wishes to continue and fight. No one should be surprized at increased casualties and fatalities if fighters listen to this ruthless businessman and let him twist arms and put fighters at risk. Kudos and best wishes to Serra for being an ideal coach who really encouraged both his team, and Hughes’ fighters (whom Hughes couldn’t bear to look at or even speak kindly to after they lost—showing the real MMA fans which coach is the “littler
man”. In my opinion Serra’s team has the real winners as far as getting the best coaching experience for their sacrifices living in the house and training with such ferocity is concerned.
by gmad61 on Dec 6, 2007 1:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
After GSP beats Hughes, then he takes Serra. Hughes will NEVER do a non-title match with Serra, he’ll go after Anderson, if he does beat Hendo, as styles makes fights, and Hughes could beat Anderson. If the talk is true, if he beats Anderson, he’ll retire then.
I’m pretty sure Hughes would love to do a fight with Serra, title fight or not. He honestly and truly wants to beat the snot out of him. Serra’s been bad-mouthing him for the better part of a year.
by IceMuncher on Dec 6, 2007 1:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
You know rib injury sucks… what fighter goes in a fight with a fresh, fractured, bruised rib injury?…if any do do they ever win?…Arryo could have went for the early knockout only to get worked over… maybe he should have fought just to show how tough he was and threw a few hail mary’s. Looked what happened to BJ Penn in the fight with Matt Hughes, cracked a rib, then got pounded, at least he didn’t quit I guess that’s good, but you can get seriously hurt by protecting an injury in a fight.
Dana may be right that Arryo should have stepped up anyway, but I can also see Arryo’s point of view, ‘why bother’? Safety 1st.
by Thorazine on Dec 6, 2007 3:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
def agree with safety 1st but i dont know many fighters who would throw the opportunity to gain the staredom of being in the ultimate fighter finals. Its hard to remember any of the TUF finalists that didnt become a hit with the fans and didnt move up their division ladder. o josh haynes haha jk he’s a good guy. and despite not being successful brad imes is still a reconizable figure. and among all the fighters this season id say arryo is one of the least. its a chance of a lifetime and a broken neck wouldnt of stopped me…. kurt angle haha
by Vw on Dec 6, 2007 4:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Man, I REALLY hope George kicks the crap out of Billy in the finale.
Seriously. He’ll be only the SECOND Australian to get a win in the UFC (The first and only so far being Elvis Sinosic…)
by ShatteredDreams on Dec 6, 2007 6:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I would have rather seen Matt A take on George S.
George disappointed me. I was expecting to see some ground work.
Jonathon G. Should be taking on Dan (Dan is tough so he cant take some damage)… NOt the case with the softie they have Goulet vs.
Roman should be taking on the Softie (Paul).
Troy should be going against Dorian. (I think it would be a better balance)
JOn vs Jared could be the sleeper.
by robin on Dec 6, 2007 6:56 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
TUF finale 6:
Main Card
Clay Guida vs. Roger Huerta
Mac Danzig vs. Tommy Speer
Jon Koppenhaver vs. Jared Rollins
Billy Miles vs. George Sotiropoulous
Preliminary Fights
Dan Barrera vs. Ben Saunders (possible swing bout)
Matt Arroyo vs. John Kolosci
Richie Hightower vs. Troy Mandaloniz
Roman Mitichyan vs. Dorian Price
Paul Georgieff vs. Jonathan Goulet
by PhilQNY on Dec 6, 2007 8:09 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Matt Hughes: However, one thing we did find out from Dana later on was that the doctor found nothing wrong with Arroyo’s rib. When Dana told us, he was ticked. So I don’t know were Matt Arroyo came up with the cracked rib thing; but the doctors couldn’t find anything wrong with him.
by chris on Dec 6, 2007 8:38 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Matt Hughes: However, one thing we did find out from Dana later on was that the doctor found nothing wrong with Arroyo’s rib. When Dana told us, he was ticked. So I don’t know were Matt Arroyo came up with the cracked rib thing; but the doctors couldn’t find anything wrong with him.
if that is true..it’s ass cheeks on matt a.
by PhilQNY on Dec 6, 2007 8:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Rampage and Forrest are the next coaches. LHW title is up for grabs in May 2008. Let the promotional cycle start a new round.
Hells yes!!!
Rampage and Forest as coaches!!
by Dr_D_Sanchez on Dec 6, 2007 8:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Matt Hughes: However, one thing we did find out from Dana later on was that the doctor found nothing wrong with Arroyo’s rib. When Dana told us, he was ticked. So I don’t know were Matt Arroyo came up with the cracked rib thing; but the doctors couldn’t find anything wrong with him.
Where did u hear that from?
by Plinko on Dec 6, 2007 9:05 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Hells yes!!!
Rampage and Forest as coaches!!
PANTS!!! That means we have to wait like half a year before we see another title defense at LHW!!!
On the upside… WOO HOO QRJ will be a wicked coach, REALLY looking forward to seeing the Page on TUF! They should have made the other coach Wandi tho…. as those two have SERIOUS BEEF!!!
by ToeLock on Dec 6, 2007 9:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Serra: “He’s hitting him in the back of the hea…”
Hughes: “He’s NOT hitting him in the back of the head”
LOL
Like I’ve been saying for a while, I was REALLY hoping that Matt Arroyo would get injured this episode (nothing against Matt), and be replaced by Richie Hightower – making the semi final fight be Mac vs Hightower. While Dana was interviewing the guys, I was starting to think that they’d go with Hightower, until dumb John walked in.
MAN, I REALLY wanted to see Mac get the opportunity to beat the shit out of that turd! I still can’t believe in last week’s episode how Hightower was saying that Mac only gets loud with him when Team Hughes is there to hold him back. HAHAHA, what a joke. Mac would beat him senseless.
by ViolentMike on Dec 6, 2007 9:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
THAT WAS THE BEST LAST FIGHT OF ANY TUF SEASON!! Tommy knocked Georgee right the fuck out!! Id also like to note that was a PUSSY arroyo is for backin out on what was probably the biggest fight of his life. I mean at least go in there and throw some bombs and at least try. I mean DAMN!!!
ALSO I CANT STAND HUGHE!!! What a faggot prick. The look on his face and the way he said “WEll both of my guys are in the finals so i think we won” i just wanted to jump into the TV and punch his face in!!
by STUNNALATOR on Dec 6, 2007 9:35 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
The announcer gets perhaps the biggest laugh of the season when he asks: “Will the farmboy devour the vegan?”
I laughed hysterically at that line, woke up my wife, and got bitched at. BUT IT WAS WORTH IT!!!!!
by ViolentMike on Dec 6, 2007 9:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Mac has been my favorite since I heard he would be on the show, since I knew who he was and have seen him fight a couple of times – one of them getting beat by Hayato Sakurai on PRIDE 33 Hendo/Wandi. When I say favorite, I actually mean I was rooting for him AND I thought he’d win.
Ben and Tommy become my #2 and 3 favorites once the show got going (favorites as in only who I was rooting for this time) But like most, I thought that the finals would be Mac vs George. Ben has great personality. Tommy has pure brute strength and kind of reminds me of a young Hughes in a way. Hopefully Tommy will learn to move on from the HIT Squad and round off his game. Hughes is just going to mold him into a “Mini-Me”
by ViolentMike on Dec 6, 2007 9:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
“A confident John Kolosci starts round one with a low kick. He charges in but Mac spins him like a dradle.”
Happy Kwanza
by Kevin Kelly on Dec 6, 2007 10:12 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
“Will the farmboy devour the vegan?”
LMAO
by Anonymousf*ck on Dec 6, 2007 1:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I laughed hysterically at that line, woke up my wife, and got bitched at. BUT IT WAS WORTH IT!!!!!
hehehehehhehe ..
by PhilQNY on Dec 6, 2007 1:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Mac, Tommy, George, Matt and Ben are all good fighters. TUF 6 has to be considered the season with the best talent. There are five legit fighters this season.
Did you miss Season 1? Sam Hoger, Forrest Griffin, Stephan Bonnar, Mike Swick, Diego Sanchez, Josh Koscheck, Kenny Florian, Nathan Quarry, Chris Leben
by Ferg on Dec 6, 2007 2:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Great work all season long, Jesse. Really appreciate it.
by MMAmania on Dec 6, 2007 5:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
we should of gotten George vs Ben in the finale (alarm clock beef)
by PhilQNY on Dec 6, 2007 5:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
we should of gotten George vs Ben in the finale (alarm clock beef)
by PhilQNY on Dec 6, 2007 5:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
in the 1st round george wasnt really doing anything besides running from tommy every time tommy tried anything. I knew that fight was going to end with Tommy knocking him out. Tommy used his brute strength to get where he is and besides the strength he really isnt a good fighter and in my opion not UFC quality until he can learn some better fighting techniques and not rely only on his strength.
Mac is a cocky guy but he is right. He is a very well rounded fighter and I dont see him getting caught by any of tommys knockout hits and i dont think tommy has the skill or ability to take mac down and keep him down to be able to ground and pound him. Tommy is going to go for the take down and Mac will be earning points.
Predition!!!!
Mac wins by decision 31/28 across the board.
I dont think Mac has that great of knockout power and i dont see Farmboy tapping. Only way the fight will end with submission will be if Tommy passes out or a bone break, he wont tap.
These 2 both deserve to be in the finals but i was really hoping it would be george and mac. that woulda been a much better fight in my opinion.
by serrasux on Dec 6, 2007 7:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
“Will the farmboy devour the vegan?”
LMAO
haha i was laughing too that was so dumb.
by AzCombat on Dec 6, 2007 7:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Jesse! 50 for Blade Runner! Good call.
by Kenny the Swede on Dec 7, 2007 7:16 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Mac vs. Tommy will end in a boring fight and a 30/27 Mac win. Mac won’t be able to submit tommy – and tommy won’t be able to KO mac. It’ll look like a boring boxing match with Mac doing the occasional takedown – only to be stood up due to lack of aggresion.
by robo on Dec 8, 2007 12:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

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