The Ultimate Fighter 4, Episode 7: I Can Beat You on One Knee!

Not much news again this week, as we’re in the lull in between big shows. Not even any injury news that I’m aware of, which surprises me. The only thing of interest is another undercard bout on UFC64, TUF2 fighter Keith Jardine against TUF3’s Mike Nickels, a fight which honestly is not at all intriguing to me. I also just noticed on a commercial that the Sherk-Florian fight is for the long-vacated lightweight title.

And for those interested, my fiancée agreed to let me watch the UFC PPV on our anniversary… as long as it isn’t at our house, and she and her daughter will go out. Don’t worry, I’ll make it up to her.

Also, the UFC is having an “Octagon Search” special on SpikeTV on October 2. That’s all I know, and I don’t pretend to care. But it’s quasi-reality UFC news, so there ya go.

Previously, Rich Franklin arrived as a trainer, Charles McCarthy became Captain Miserable, and Drago beat the crap out of McCarthy. Matt Serra tells us that Drago dominated the fight. Apparently Charles’ scream in the first round was because he felt his knee pop. Ouch, I have to give him credit now! Chris Lytle thought the fight was over then.

Matt is amazed that Charles got out of Pete’s “dangerous” choke. Rich Clementi heard him gurgling, but he got out. Jorge says that Charles won round two because of his positioning – staying on top and in control the entire round. Matt calls round three a beating, and that Drago is getting drunk.

Dana tells us that the only welterweight not to have fought is Matt Serra. Every time they show Edwin Dewees, I have to remind myself who he is, because he’s NEVER in one of those confessionals! Anyway, Pete Spratt will be fighting Matt, as Pete’s second chance as a result of Jeremy Jackson’s idiocy. Matt wanted to be the first fight, here he is, the last fight.

Rich tells us that he was brought in to “train” although he’s obviously not giving away his secrets. He would be willing to give advice, but he’s going to keep it loose. He thinks he’ll be doing a lot of spying, since he’ll end up fighting one of them at the end of the season! He also can’t train because his hand is still injured (why do I think Franklin is a badass? He broke his hand in the first round (of five) against David Louiseau, and his corner’s advice was “just keep hitting him with it until you can’t feel it anymore.” He did. Bad. Ass.) and he’s worried about catching staph. He jokes about wanting a mask.

Jorge thinks Rich was a disappointment since he really didn’t do anything for them. I actually don’t blame him, especially if no one asked him anything. Jorge thinks Rich is there to scout, which is a disadvantage for them because they don’t see him training. Well, feel free to watch him on PPV. Rich is really keeping his distance.

As predicted, Drago and some others are getting toasted. Matt says he parties hard after his fights. Drago is “swaying drunk” and no one can understand him. We see lots more of Drunken Drago, but Matt assures us that he won’t drink any more after possibly tomorrow.

The next morning, Matt is reminding Drago of everything he can’t remember from the night before. Drago asks the group not to hold him accountable for anything he said. He sounds just as bad now!

At Team Mojo’s training session, everyone is taking it easy. Rich comments that he thought it was supposed to be a cardio day, but Matt says they’re just taking a break. Privately, he says he is annoyed with Rich’s attitude, he thinks maybe it’s cockiness. They’ve been working their ass off for a month, and Rich came in on a day that they took off. Rich says that no one is really pushing themselves.

Dana doesn’t care if they are irritated with Rich – they should be using his experience to learn from them. Rich is basically being ignored by the fighters who are doing their own thing, as if they don’t feel that Rich has anything to teach them. Dana can’t believe they’re not working out with him. We’re not shown Rich refusing to do anything.

Later, Matt gets some advice from Rich. Rich tells him to drop to one knee so that Pete can’t kick him. I’m not sure how that would work, but okay. Matt thinks if he goes to his knee, he’ll get hammered. He’s not sure if Rich was joking, but it wasn’t the best advice. He kids around about it, and is polite, but he’s obviously blowing it off. Rich can tell, and just tells him to think about it. It’s quite awkward.

Rich is curious what is being said about him at the house. At the house, Matt mocks Rich’s advice, complaining that he’s short enough, so why should he drop down. As Matt scoots around on one knee, one of the other guys demonstrates how, while Pete might not be able to kick him, he’d sure be able to punch him into oblivion. Matt guarantees that we will not see him use that strategy.

Din wonders what Rich was even doing there, if he couldn’t train with them and gave them the worst advice ever. He expects that from some guy at a bar. Matt appreciates it, but having Rich around didn’t help him at all.

Patrick Cote (wow, I forgot he was in this) says he’s sure that Rich was only there to scout his next opponent. He can’t believe Rich would give that kind of advice either.

At No Love’s training session, Charles asks Rich about the advice, expecting him to laugh about it. Rich doesn’t. He explains that Matt doesn’t want to stand up with him, so he told him to do something unusual. Man, when even Charles is laughing at you, that’s bad. Rich doesn’t see any of these guys as champ as long as he has the belt. No, neither do I. You’ll have to beat Anderson Silva first though. No easy task.

Matt is upset that Charles talked to Rich about the one-knee strategy. Mikey Burnett says Charles is a kid who can’t keep a secret. More busting on Charles for being a loudmouth. Fascinating segment.

Pete Spratt finally appears, saying that he’s getting antsy wanting to fight. He knows that people are writing him off. He thinks he’ll win easily if he works his game plan. We see a lot of training montages with Mikey and Pete. He says he’s learned a lot since his last fight.