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FIVE USA are showing episodes 11 + 12 back to back in the usual Saturday night time slot, giving us a double of whammy of The Ultimate Fighter. The finale show is being aired the following Thursday or ESPN subscribers can see the finale live at 2am in the early hours of Sunday morning. Before then let’s take a look back at episode 10 recapping on what took place.

Is Mitrione in or not? Matt Mitrione informs his coach Rashad Evans that he has swelling of the brain but should be OK to fight. Mean while Brit James McSweeney does not trust Matt’s motives.  Street brawler turned mixed martial arts competitor Kimbo Slice prepares for kick boxer McSweeney eager to replace Mitrione.

The confirmed match-up for this episode was Brendan Schaub battling it out with John Madsen. McSweeney does a fantastic job preparing Schaub, while Rashad leaves them to it, remaining impartial.

This episode was the week of the coaches challenge, the challenge was 2 on 2 volley ball – Rashad and Mike vs Rampage and Tiki. Amazingly these sets of tough dudes did well. The win went to Rashad, gaining $10,000 for Team Rashad. As you can imagine Evans was quick to rub it in Quinton’s face.

To the amusement of the rest of the house Kimbo endures an ice bath, to help work through knee pain. There is no doubt Slice is serious about being an Ultimate Fighter.

John Madsen is fortunate to train with fellow wrestler and former UFC light-heavyweight champion Rashad. So he changed his mind about being impartial after all.

Coaches Rashad and Mike have it out with Mitrione about whether he will continue to compete or not. Following this chat Dana White addresses the remaining TUF 10 entrants about the Mitrione situation, explaining how huge an opportunity the ultimate fighter is.

Comparing Madsen and Schaub it’s NFL veteran Schaub going into the fight having more experience but Madsen comes from Matt Hughes’ camp and is a serious threat in the octagon with pure wrestling strength.

Fight time. McSweeney hypes up Brendan by slapping his face.

Round 1)

Madsen utilises his strength advantage slamming down Schaub to the deck. Madsen however doesn’t do enough on top, the referee calls for a restart back upright. Madsen wastes no time once again slamming NFL veteran Brendan but again he lays and prays, simply not doing enough despite his dominant position.

Round 2)

Corner-man McSweeney encourages Schaub at the end of round interval. Brendan defends much better come round 2. The pace of action slows down due to the energy exerted in the previous round. Out of nowhere Brendan knocks out Madsen smashing the wrestler with 2 punches. Schaub is one to look out for, he has heavy hands.

Winner Brendan Schaub advances to the semi finals. McSweeney’s seconding was of a great help in keeping the ex American football player focussed.

That leaves us with Marcus Jones vs. Darrill Schoonover and Matt Mitrione vs. James McSweeney followed by the semi finals.

The Finale show will feature Matt Hamill vs Jon Jones and 2 heavy hitters - Kimbo Slice vs Houston Alexander. Plus of course TUF 10 winner will be crowned.

Don’t forget you can watch all the Aftemath videos at UFC.com

Watch The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Saturdays 11pm on FIVE USA,

in the UK on Freeview 31, Sky 174, Virgin Media 150 and Tiscali 30. Also shown on subscription channel ESPN and ESPN HD.

Wednesdays on Spike TV in the US.

UFC & MMA blog by Duane Farr

duane@bluraymma.com

Following the live action of UFC 105, it is time to catchup on episode 9 of The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights.

This week Roy ‘Kimbo Slayer’ Nelson squares off against Justin Wren. Aside of from the experience factor these guys appear pretty evenly matched when it comes to style and physicality, although Roy seems to carrying some extra timber.

Following the hard hits Matt Mitrione  received from Scott Junk, Matt seems to be still reeling from the effects. Suffering with a bad headache and dizziness, followed by throwing up, seems the Team Rashad member has concussion. Could this be another opportunity for a Kimbo Slice comeback? Whether Slice will be given another opportunity is unclear but the producers love to tease us don’t they?

In another entertaining moment from the show Rampage and Tiki prank Rashad, planting some chickens in his car. A chance for Rampage to get his own back since all the ribbing at his poor coaching ability and only one win for Team Rampage. Mike and Rashad saw the funny side though, the joke backfires and they are treated to  spanking new rental cars.

Mitrione returns from hospital, he wants to fight but is yet to receive medical clearance.

Pre-fight it is clear Nelson and Wren are well matched in grappling, the difference is the experience factor versus youth.

Round 1)

The first round is a tough fought brawl. Nelson defends well against Wren the aggressor, negating his attack. Neither combatant utilise their ground grapple skills. Throughout Brit and fellow member of Team Rashad – James McSweeney does a first rate job cornering Wren.

Round 2)

Come round round 2 Wren appears tired after the exertion in the first. The action continues upright through the majority of the bout. Overall it appeared even, giving good reason for a third round to decide the winner but it wasn’t to be. IFL veteran was announced the winner via a majority decision on the score cards.

Young hopeful Justin Wren was disappointed as you could imagine  but he gave it his all, Nelson had the better defence being the more experienced MMA fighter.

Dana White once again wasn’t impressed Roy Nelson’s performance despite the win, he does not seem to like the guy. Perhaps the fact Nelson is the ‘Kimbo Slayer’ plays a part in his low affinity for the heavyweight contestant? It’s clear Dana sees Kimbo as a good investment and displays respect for the street-fighter earning his dues joining the cast of TUF 10.

Episode 10 will feature Brendan battling it out with John for a place in the next round of the competition, plus it will be the week of the coaches challenge.

Don’t forget you can watch all the Aftemath videos at UFC.com

Watch The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Saturdays 11pm on FIVE USA, in the UK on Freeview 31, Sky 174, Virgin Media 150 and Tiscali 30. Also shown on subscription channel ESPN and ESPN HD. Wednesdays on Spike TV in the US.

UFC & MMA blog by Duane Farr

duane@bluraymma.com

Saturday 14th November, Manchester.

This UK card is free for fight fans in the US, who see it live on Spike TV.

Once again another stacked card from the Ultimate Fighting Championships. Get ready for a big one as the UFC makes a highly anticipated return to our fair isle with more world class octagon action. We are in for a rare treat, as the legendary UFC Hall of Famer Randy ‘The Natural Couture’ lands on British soil plus there will tons of hopeful Brits battling it out in the big league from the Manchester MEN Arena.

Here is a peek at the top of the of the UK card.

Randy Couture vs Brandon Vera

Randy Couture and Brandon Vera collide in a light-heavyweight showdown. This is Randy Couture’s first matchup back in the light-heavyweight division since stepping down a weight bracket following 2 losses in a row. One he got pounded on by the powerful champ, The Vanilla Gorilla – Brock Lesnar and the second a close contest against tougher than leather Brazilian veteran Minotauro Nogueira. It is fair to say Randy fought the best and put up a damn good spirited fight in both octagon outings but he knew the time had come to step down a division.

Now the former heavyweight and light-heavyweight title holder is intent on another crack at UFC gold, this time he wants the light-heavyweight strap once more. To work back up the ladder first he must defeat heavy hitting young gun Brandon ‘The Truth’ Vera.

So here we have the story of age versus experience, can the youthful Vera beat the canny dirty-boxing Couture? Vera is a dangerous Muay Thai Kick-boxer, both guys can utilise the clinch work here, striking at close quarters. I see Couture relying heavily on his strong wrestling background and gaining the advantage on the canvas. The fight may well go the distance in favour of the Hall of Famer – Couture. Randy is an inspiration, who seems to magnificently defy Father Time, coming back following defeat, still competing at the elite level. Has he still got it? That question will be answered Saturday night.

Mike ‘Quick’ Swick vs Dan Hardy

It’s interesting to note despite Bisping’s pulling power Dan Hardy is receiving higher billing on the UK card. Mike Bisping is one of the most recognised fighters who made a name for himself via season 3 of the Ultimate Fighter, then went on to further success with the ranks of the Zuffa owned league. Hardy however is the new kid on the block now making a name for himself getting noticed due to impressive performances inside the cage.

Much like fellow Brit Bisping, Dan knows how to sell a fight bringing his own heat doing all the smack talk when required. Previously we’ve seen Hardy talk the talk and back it all up when it came down to the crunch in octagon action paired up with Marcus ‘Irish Hand Grenade’ Davis. Hardy riled up Davis pre fight, then beat the Irish American, Hardy showed what a true sport he was but sore loser Davis did not display the same qualities afterwards. With Hardy it is all business, the guy wants to entertain and get noticed.

Dan’s opponent will be Mike Swick, who most recently beat Ultimate Fighter alumini Ben Saunders. It will be interesting to see how Hardy fares as he steps up against Swick. Let’s hope his momentum continues.

Michael Bisping vs Denis Kang

The pressure in on for Mike Bisping, on the rebound from the devasting knockout loss at the hands of Dan Henderson back on July 11th at UFC 100. Bisping is embarrassed at his loss handed to him by Henderson but the Brit has nothing to be ashamed of, Henderson is one of the all time greats from Pride FC. Canadian Kang also another tough veteran of the Pride squared-circle. Kang is a man hoping to capitalise on the pressure. Bisping is ever confident, having none of it, intending to prove the doubters wrong. Here’s hoping our countryman Mike Bisping has taken enough time to recover from the devastating KO he received from Hendo at UFC 100 and will be returning to form on his north-western home turf in Manchester.

Also featured on the card will be TUF 9 Team UK winners James Wilks and Ross Pearson.

MAIN CARD

Randy Couture vs Brandon Vera

Mike Swick vs Dan Hardy

Michael Bisping vs Denis Kang

James Wilks vs Matt Brown

Ross Pearson vs Aaron Riley

PRELIMINARY CARD

Terry Etim vs Shannon Gugerty

Paul Taylor vs John Hathaway

Nick Osipczak vs Matthew Riddle

Paul Kelly vs Dennis Siver

Alexander Gustafsson vs Jared Hamman

Andre Winner vs Rolando Delgado

UFC 105 Countdown starts at 7pm on ESPN and ESPN HD, then watch UFC 105 live at 8pm in the UK .

UK EXCLUSIVE – Two of England’s own battle it out before the live broadcast of UFC 105 – see Paul Taylor and John Hathaway go head-to-head free on UFC.com at 7:30pm.

You can also view this huge MMA event live world wide at UFClive.com

UFC & MMA blog by Duane Farr

duane@bluraymma.com