The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9: Episode 1 recap and discussion
by Jesse Holland on Apr 1, 2009 10:22 PM EDT
61 comments
Episode one of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Season 9 is finally underway. The "US vs. UK" format features Coach Dan Henderson leading a stateside team against Coach Michael Bisping and his British squad.
We kick things off in the United Kingdom with UFC President Dana White riding in a creepy van like Buffalo Bill for a little rendezvous with Coach Bisping at the Wolfslair gym.
Dana greets the UK boys and tells them only half of the group of 16 gets to board a plane to the United States. Anyone looking for a trip to Vegas will have to fight their way onto the show.
Dana said it best: Welcome to The Ultimate Fighter motherfucker.
The first episode was taped prior to UFC 93 so both Dan Henderson and Rich Franklin are on the scene for the evaluations. It was no secret that "Ace" was disinterested in the coaching job, but I haven't seen such a catatonic expression since they took the batteries out of Vicki on "Small Wonder."
After a few mild pleasantries, the staff takes their place at the cageside desk and the elimination fights get underway.
Elimination bout #1: Gary Kelly (2-1) vs. Andre Winner (9-2-1)
Round 1: They trade blows and clinch. Winner pushes him to the cage and they exchange knees. Bisping talking it up for Kelly who trains out of Wolfslair. A stalemate against the cage. Winner creates a gap and drives his knee right into the exposed head of Kelly. Lights out.
Andre Winner defeats Gary Kelly via KO
Elimination bout #2: Jeff Lawson (12-2) vs. James Bryan (3-1)
Round 1: Both come out swinging and Lawson secures a takedown into top position. Lawson spins and sits on his face. More rotating and some early panting. Lawson swings into an armbar and after some scuffling locks it in for the tap.
Jeff Lawson defeats James Bryan via submission (armbar)
Elimination bout #3: Che Mills (7-2) vs. James Wilks (5-2)
Round 1: Che opens up swinging and they go to the fence. Wilks tumbles to the ground and eats a few punches but grabs a leg and rolls Mills right into a heel hook. From there it's academic.
James Wilks defeats Che Mills via submission (heel hook)
Elimination bout #4: Martin Stapleton (5-1) vs. Dan James (3-0)
Round 1: Brief exchange and Stapleton takes him down. James traps him for a bit and Stapleton sneaks in a headbutt. He spins and gets mount and lets the hands fly. James rolls into a rear naked choke, gets flattened out and eventually taps.
Martin Stapleton defeats Dan James via submission (rear naked choke)
Elimination bout #5: AJ Wenn (7-2) vs. Ross Pearson (9-3)
Round 1: Requisite feeling out process and they go to the cage. An exchange of knees and Pearson briefly sweeps him. Wenn back up and more cage hugging. Wenn drops a level buts finds nothing. Tries it again and Pearson reverses and shows him how its done with a big slam. They're back up and against the cage once again. Huge knees for Pearson who again picks up Wenn and slams him. And whaddaya know, they're back up and leaning against the cage. I catch Dana in the background not paying attention. He mutters something to Bisping in disapproval. They finally push off and Pearson unloads with a jumping knee. A stunned Wenn backpedals and eats a few shots at the bell. Referee Dan Miragliotta (on location) gives Pearson a shove across the ring to save Wenn and prove how tough he is.
Round 2: Pearson pauses for a moment, then rushes in and unloads on a helpless Wenn who collapses and eats a few extra punches for good measure.
Ross Pearson defeats AJ Wenn via TKO
Elimination bout #6: Tommy Maguire (5-2) vs. Nick Osipczak (3-0)
Round 1: Huge height difference, Osipczak is a giant -- especially against Maguire who looks like that kid from "The Sandlot." They immediately find their way to the cage and Maguire gets him down. He sort of plops down on him and shoves his crank in his face. Osipczak stands up into a guillotine. Maguire jumps up and uses his considerable weight to drag him back down. He loses the choke and his position but Osipczak kind of lazily stands up and backs away. Some sloppy striking ensues until Osipczak finds his target and repeatedly blasts Maguire into a heap.
Nick Osipczak defeats Tommy Maguire via TKO
Elimination bout #7: Alex Reid (10-9-1) vs. Dean Amasinger (4-1)
Round 1-3: "The Reidinator" goes all Marshall Applewhite for the camera while Amasinger does a hackneyed impression of B.A. Baracus. Both are unconvincing. We get the ol' TUF fast-forward job which is the Zuffa equivalent of an English Bobby standing on the street in front of a car wreck saying "Nothing to see here folks." Reid starts hootin' and hollerin' and I star to wonder if these guys have been tested for LSD. A third and final round sees the Reidinator come up short despite sounding off like Bobo the mechanical owl.
Dean Amasinger defeats Alex Reid via decision
Elimination bout #8: James Bateman (2-1) vs. David Faulkner (2-1)
Round 1: Faulkner is out of Wolfslair and Bisping predicts a win via heel hook or loss via mental breakdown. Faulkner for the takedown but they roll and go right back to their feet. The fence sees some more action. Bateman with a flying knee and misses. Both swing wildly. Faulkner charges and gets his arm caught but sneaks in a takedown. Bateman stymies him and rolls on top but Faulkner is playing possum and slaps on a fight ending heel hook.
David Faulkner defeats James Bateman via submission (heel hook)
Afterward Dana compliments the fighters for a display of good fights. I try to be forgiving since this isn't exactly the upper echelon of fighters but I wasn't particularly blown away by any of the Brits -- though I did see a lot of promise in a handful of them.
Dana gives the winners a pep talk and the losers a Viking funeral. Coach Bisping looks forward to molding his team into "Little Bispings" and blowing away the US Team.
Stay tuned next week as Team USA gets their crack at TUFdom -- but it doesn't look like a promising start as Yanks are seen passing out and donning the rubber suit for a date with the treadmill. Somewhere out there Bruce Springsteen is hanging his head in shame.
See you in seven!
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a real crappy showcase of the uk i cant want for team usa
by justincredabel on Apr 1, 2009 10:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
are you high? they had 2 heel hooks a great KO and a great armbar! this is going to be the best season in a long time.
by Bill Maher on Apr 1, 2009 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you can see those things in any gym. The first guy Winner looked good but the rest didn’t look exceptional at all.
by pug on Apr 1, 2009 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I like Winner ALOT after seeing that short little bit of him. BY FAR he had the most explosive standup, even though he missed most of his strikes. He also ate a couple of solid elbows from the clinch and shrugged them off like nothing.
Lawson will by wiley and tough to submit and Pearson looks like he can be an animal when he turns it on.
Team UK is going to have thier top fighters where as Team US, all the top fighters in that age group are aleady signed for the most part. I think that Team USA will be weaker than Team UK. And as my early prediction, I got Andre Winner being he Winner!!! (I was hoping Amazinger would be more amazing because the possibilities of nicknames were running wild thru my head)
by ViolentMike on Apr 2, 2009 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i liked the look of the Brit team however I just can’t help but be concerned that the U.S. team will be stacked with wrestlers and be matchup problems for the Brits. However, in the promo for next week, it looks like some of the U.S. guys are gonna be out of shape and mentally weak. Overall I’m pretty excited for this season.
by Crowls on Apr 2, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is it just me or did only 2 fighters from the UK looked like real fighters… i hope they pick up some animals from the US
by mikeybear on Apr 2, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Doesn’t look good for Team USA, judging from the preview. I was fairly impressed with Team UK, except for that guy who put himself in Triangles. What a tool. I’ll take a guess as to how he gets eliminated: Triangle Choke.
by Synyster on Apr 1, 2009 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I missed all the action last night! The only piece of mma that I actually saw last night was the Condit/Kampman fight. I hear a lot of complaining about the way these fights went down last night, but reading the analysis…Only 1 fight went to a decision. U dont get to see to many heel hook finishes in TUF history, and 2 fights were finished that way last night?
I didnt see any of the show, but I have a feeling that the Brits will be better. Im sure that they will be more dedicated and want it more! It has been very hard for a brit to land a spot on tUF in the past…I have a feeling that the fighters on team UK will relish this opportunity, and come prepared and in shape….I promise you that pound for pound…they will probably be more prepared then team USA. I have seen a few fighters from every season of TUF, not making the most of their opportunity…I have a feeling that the TEAM UK fighters will try to make the most out of this opportunity.
Im still drunk, so excuse my rambling!
by john on Apr 2, 2009 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
John-
Good first episode. Some of the UK boys looked pretty good.
They look like they have “the eye of the tiger.”
Great first episode. Let’s see if they keep it this way or if it goes back to the same MTV style drama crap from last season.
by OJR on Apr 2, 2009 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the heads up….I gotta find a chance to watch this episode…
by john on Apr 2, 2009 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I saw real late. .last night.. I was kind of half asleep.. but I think TUF is flowing alittle bit more ont the serious.. Contender type format.. but lets us wait and see what happens in the " house. "
by PhilQNY on Apr 2, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yea, john, judging by the way Bisbing acted on the show, his team should be alot like that. He was all business and was there to win. Trained hard, improved and stayed focused. I expect that from his team. Unfortunately, I also expect some of the U.S. team to be there to get on TV and act like jackasses.
by Crowls on Apr 2, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
News just in – the UK team are a bunch of scally-pikey-chavs and I guarantee they will cause all sorts of trouble and immature shenanigans in the house. These kind of guys just cant help it.
Favoured dispute resolution of the scally – “U starting, want some!?” followed up by a swift head butt and face stomping session.
The only thing the US and UK guys have in common is language and I can’t wait to see the fireworks once they are all pissed/pissed.
by PanicZoo on Apr 5, 2009 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, because all the previews show that Team USA’s tryouts were far superior…….
by Jas on Apr 2, 2009 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
a real shity uk showing i can’t wai untill next week with team usa
by justincredabel on Apr 1, 2009 10:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
of course dana says its another “crazy season”. personally i think the whole idea is stale. in all fairness though ive never been much of a fan of the tuf brand anyways. hendo crushes bisping in the finale
by tank on Apr 1, 2009 10:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
stale is the perfect word to describe it
by McArthur on Apr 2, 2009 8:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So far, so good. The first couple of shows are always good. The guys are serious and there are none of the house antics, yet.
Don’t really about the whole UK vs. US thing. I’m just happy to see young fighters get the exposure and possibly make a name for themselves.
by Jeff on Apr 1, 2009 11:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
First impression…..the UK LW’s looked good and the WW’s looked a little suspect. Definitely some good finishes, but I saw too many guys that appeared too pudgy to be fighting at the weights they were.
by CL on Apr 1, 2009 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The only people that are gonna talk bad about this epidsode are that are looking for the Real World..no sorry no drama this was just good fighting i want the usa team to show proud but its gonna be tought looking at what the UK fighters are bringing to the table
by dannyboy on Apr 1, 2009 11:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
When did Frank Shamrock change his name to the “Reidinator”?
by MM_Eh on Apr 1, 2009 11:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dan M impressed me the most. He pushed that little brit clear accross the ring.
by pug on Apr 1, 2009 11:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
From what I could tell, none of those guys handled getting hit in the face very well! In fact, it looked like they were outright scared to get hit! I only saw two fighters(I don’t remember their names) I believe may do well. But, we’ll have to wait and see what Team USA has to offer!
by Dana's a CrossDresser on Apr 1, 2009 11:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The one impressive guy was Ross Pearson?? The tuff army guy, he was pretty powerful.
That skinny tall guy Nick something, couldn’t hit hard at all, I don’t know how he actually finished the other guy off.
by UFC Champ on Apr 1, 2009 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no,actually it was by strikes,a knee to the head finished it
by bons on Apr 2, 2009 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He didn’t appear to be hitting hard, but he appeared somewhat technical and well rounded. Everyone says the Diaz’s don’t hit hard either until they get in the cage with them.
by ViolentMike on Apr 2, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ross was good.
The jumping knee at the bell was great, the Heel hook was solid, and he took 4-5 straight shots to the nose to sink it in.
I liked that ginger guy, he was terrible and looked like he didnt even try to stop the guy from hitting him, but I was still routing for him.
by ShaiZ on Apr 2, 2009 12:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
the Nick fellow sure seems prideful. Hope he can actually back up all his talk in his next fight
by T-Rex on Apr 2, 2009 12:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
ross pearson looked quite good,nice octagon control,strong takedown and powerful puncher deadly knees.i thought andre winner was very quick,crisp and accurate,but will need to see more to know if he can keep that up.james wilk,lovely finish,but the better man lost in Che imo.that dean,seriously,just stay home ffs,aggresive but gasses and not very strong,and seems to want to get caught in triangles.and dave,bisping i think way over-hyped him,but unreally quick sub heel-hook.and how sh1t does liverpool look,and how many people are named james lol.at least they looked more prepped than the americans,altho,from the limited clips,looks like they got good fights.
by bons on Apr 2, 2009 1:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The only two I see making it in the UFC are Andre Winner and Mark Stapleton.
The US team was set up filled with lackluster fighters so that the UK team would not look so terrible, had they picked the cream of the crop from various circuits it would not even be competitive.
And as for “oh they had an arm bar and a heel hook and KOs” any fighter can get a submission on another fighter if he is better, it is relative. These guys are not bad but they are not great.
I think they match up lower skill sets because more finishes happen, if you have two great fighters fighting there is less of a chance of them making amateur mistakes, like half the finishes in fights tonight.
by DirtyML on Apr 2, 2009 1:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Lets not pass judgment so soon! u r already to proclaim that only 2 of these guys should fight in the UFC, after a whole episode of action? chill! I have seen fighters transform through out the course of a show. Fighters that showed little promise in the 1st fights, became very promising young fighters by the end of the show. Remember Amir Sadollah? my point is, dont put to much into the 1st impressions….Give these guys a chance, I am sure they will all improve dramitically by the end of the season!
by john on Apr 2, 2009 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
anyone else find it fairly unprofessional that bisbing was only shouting instructions to his 2 lil buddies? this was a fucking evaluation, he shouldn’t be shouting instructions at anyone let alone his friends. did you bring your teacher to the SAT’s?
by storhaug on Apr 2, 2009 1:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Eh, I didn’t have a problem with that. I’m sure Bisping is in their corner normally, so it would be odd for him not to try and help them.
If I remember correctly, Rampage did the same thing in season 7. I could be wrong, though.
by R-Dizzle on Apr 2, 2009 7:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What?! Not at all! Of course he’s guna be supporting the guys from his gym.
by BritishBulldog on Apr 2, 2009 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
bisping was shouting for his friends but the other guys had corner men also shouting instructions
by gtio on Apr 5, 2009 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nick Osipczak is HUGE for a welterweight…..judging from this fight, he could be the best UK welterweight…..will have to see the U.S. welterweights before I tab him the early favorite at 170. Good 1st show. Love the theme.
by Clint on Apr 2, 2009 2:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thank you. Everyone says this kid hits soft, but I see potential!
by ViolentMike on Apr 2, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can anybody find the link to watch the 1st episode in full cant find it no were. Well the 1 place that got it say i need active x which still doesnt play once i installed it. Thanks would be much appreciated.
by john on Apr 2, 2009 3:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m sure Spike will replay soon. Sure it does you no good now, but you’ll see it on a tv.
Andre Winner is my main man followed by Nick Osipczak and then the wiley Jeff Lawson
by ViolentMike on Apr 2, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The theme is great but it would have been better if it were canada… Oh well.
They should have done a n&c american vs european type thing.
I would say osipczak is dead meat, he has no power.
I hated that ginger kid, out of shape and dumb…
Reid was a tool, he even thought he won. I dont see how it went to sudden victory.
Pearson, winner & Larson, Faulkner were good.
Dean will have to work on triangle defence for 3 weeks.
I agree that even mediocre usa fighters would be on par with them. And they want a balanced show.
by Robin on Apr 2, 2009 6:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Lets be fair the talent pool is a little lop-sided but Im just hoping the UK guys put up a good fight and Im not even interested in the US v UK bullshit whats the point?
by Spidermonkey on Apr 2, 2009 8:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hey mania, The UK is gonna kill the US punk, 5 years from now there will be hardly any US fighters at the top of the sport. By the way if I ever see you Im gonna smash your fucking skull open
by wildcard on Apr 2, 2009 10:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Since when did “wildman” start blogging as “wildcard”???
by ViolentMike on Apr 2, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
give the new fighters a break..if they were perfect in the first place they would not need the training and improvement they are about to get..this will be exciting if they keep it about fighting…looks like the yanks are not making weight (again!)and what’s that?? someone is gonna quit on the u.s. side?? hmmmm good opportunities wasted..
by sarah on Apr 2, 2009 10:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Typical reaction from the yanks-were bigger and better at everything. I think there could be a few surprises from the UK team-as much as I hate to admit it being an Irishman but I think the yanks are going to take team UK too lightly at first.
by Morgan on Apr 2, 2009 12:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Im a born and raised American, and if anyone thinks that was a poor showing for the UK deosnt know MMA. all but 1 or 2 of them looked great… and i have become a instant fan of a few of them.. I would love to see the US team get smashed :)
by Salatious on Apr 2, 2009 12:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I was pretty confident the U.S. team would win when I heard the concept of the show. After watching the first episode I’m convinced.
by MauiPimpin on Apr 2, 2009 1:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
A Small Wonder reference? Seriously? That had to be one of the worst shows ever to appear on television.
by PW on Apr 2, 2009 2:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Best quote so far:
"Tommy Maguire? Don’t know anything about him apart from that he’s GINGER.
I’ve never fought a GINGER person before so should be fun…"
Classic!
by johnnybravo on Apr 3, 2009 8:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
does anyone know where i can watch the first episode havent got virgin 1
by ian renault on Apr 3, 2009 1:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Pretty good fighters have made the team. SOme better than others.
US sneek peek looked very funny. SOmoene trying to make weight…falling on treadmills….passing out. SHould be fun.
by UK_Chris on Apr 5, 2009 7:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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