The Ultimate Fighter 4, Episode 3: Tap Dancing

The UFC62 PPV last weekend was, as you might expect, far and away superior to the overhyped snoozefest that was UFC61. Which goes to show, as I’ve said time and time again, you don’t need hype to make a good card, you need good fighters, which UFC62 had in spades.

In the main event, TUF1 coach Chuck Liddell absolutely destroyed Renato “Babalou” Sobral in the first round with the usual devastating series of strikes. With Liddell’s next title defense against Wanderlei Silva in limbo, the question remains if UFC will be able to find anyone to compete with the Iceman.

Speaking of competing, Griffin vs. Bonnar II, a rematch of the fight-of-the-year TUF1 final, did not disappoint. Sure, it wasn’t an incredible slugfest like their first encounter, but no one thought it could be. For one, both fighters have matured enough that they chose their punches carefully as opposed to swinging wildly. In any case, while both put on an excellent performance, Griffin rightfully won the unanimous decision. Griffin was his normal self in the post-fight interview, including complaining of an “inflamed vagina,” which was a swipe at Tito Ortiz, who used injuries as an excuse for a poor showing against Griffin.

The rest of the card consisted of no-name fighters (excepting the Nick Diaz vs. Josh Neer bout) but was nonetheless outstanding. The only other item of note was that TUF2’s Rob MacDonald put in another terrible showing, losing to Eric Schafer in the first round.

The card for UFC63 is more or less set, with one huge change since last week. As announced on the PPV, TUF4 coach Georges St. Pierre is out of the main event title match with Matt Hughes. In his place will be the man Georges defeated to earn that title match, B.J. Penn. It seems to be almost fortuitous for the UFC, as this was actually the match they were hoping for all along. Penn is the last man to beat Hughes, at UFC46, but there was never a rematch due to Penn’s leaving the UFC over contract issues. For those still itching to see Hughes humbled after his egotistical actions in TUF2, as well as those such as myself who just want to see a good fight, this is the much better alternative.

In other action on 9/23, TUF1’s Mike Swick will face unquestionably the biggest test of his career, David Louiseau. This is undoubtedly a test to whether Swick can hang in the main event scene. If he survives, a title match with Rich Franklin might not be far away. TUF2 winner Rashad Evanzzzz will no doubt have another snooze-fest, this time against Jason Lambert. I’m sorry, Rashad has never done anything to impress me, as he uses his amateur wrestling moves to control his opponent and not do any damage. Let’s just say there’s a reason I don’t follow amateur wrestling, and that reason starts with “Zzzzzzzz.”

Also, TUF3’ Danny Abbadi (you may remember him as Matt’s BFF) will take o TUF2’s Jorge Gurgel in what is sure to be a dark match slaughter. Also, supposed TUF5 trainer Jens Pulver will see action, as well as TUF2 bad boy Melvin Guillard.

Two fights for UFC64 on 10/14 have been announced. In the main event, Rich Franklin defends his middleweight championship against Anderson Silva. You may recall that Silva’s only other fight in the UFC was an absolute mauling of Chris Leben at Ultimate Fight Night 5. Many people have complained that Silva is getting the fast-track, but really, how many legitimate contenders are there at 185, much less that can hold a candle to Franklin? In any case, the other matchup is almost as intriguing, as TUF1 runner-up Kenny Florian goes against veteran Sean Sherk, another matchup which will no doubt help determine who gets that first 155-pound title shot.

Finally, Ortiz-Shamrock 3, which I mentioned last week, was officially announced last Friday for 10/10 on SpikeTV. No undercard has yet been announced, but really, I think they could put Screech from Saved by the Bell and Jim Nabors in as the undercard and people would still watch.

With all that, we’ve still got a show to recap! Let’s get to it. Previously, Team Mojo comes together as a team. Edwin bleeds like a pig, but still defeats Gideon Ray. In the fight recap, contestants from both sides note that the fight wasn’t a danger and that the doctors made the right decision to keep it going. Jeremy Jackson mentions how the blood was pouring onto Gideon, and that he’s never seen that much blood. Everyone knew that Dewees won the third round. As Matt Serra talks about how well things are going for his team, cameras pan across the bloody mat.

By the way, I mentioned last week that it seemed unfair that Dewees’ cut was gushing down onto Ray, and that Ray seemed to have to defend against both the blood and Edwin’s strikes. I asked the expert, The Wrestling Observer Newsletter editor Dave Meltzer, and he told me that the doctors are only trained to watch for dangerous cuts, copious blood loss, and vision impairment. Dewees’ cut was certainly a gusher, but apparently the doctors didn’t consider his blood loss enough to be dangerous. And even though it did bleed heavily, the cut itself was minor and the blood was not going into Edwin’s eyes (although Gideon may have been another story), the doctors continued the fight.

Back at the house, it’s Shonie acting out, dressing up, and generally being obnoxious. Jorge Rivera says it was fun at first, but it wears on you after a while. Mikey Burnett likes him, but he’s getting on his nerves. “It looks like a garage sale out there with everything he’s painted and decorated.” Apparently the UFC sign was only the beginning as he’s painting furniture, bottles, vases, torches, you name it. He’s even BeDazzled their Ultimate Fighter hats! Does The Apprentice’s Tana know that her gimmick is being infringed? I know she’d hate to lose those lucrative commercials.

Shonie says they’re a bunch of whiners, counting the days they have left. He’s going to have fun, and do everything he can to make time fly. Even if it means drawing a picture of himself in silhouette.

Team No Love’s turn to train, and they actually decide to train. Jeremy thinks it sucks that they are losing, even though they’re all training the same. Uh, no. He thinks it has to do with a difference in mindset. You’re getting warmer. Shots of people sitting around looking tired and dejected.

Dana White tells us that Jeremy got the call late, and had no time to prepare and is out of shape. Jeremy (with an ice pack on his shoulder) thinks he’ll be next. Mikey (with an ice pack on his elbow) thinks they’ll pick him. And Pete Spratt (looking worried on the scale, I guess trying to say he’s overweight) thinks he’s next too. Jeremy thinks he’s ready to go, if they take him lightly they’ll be wrong.