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The Ultimate Fighter 9: United States vs United Kingdom

Season 10 of the Ultimate Fighter is fresh in our minds, it is fair to say since watching TUF 9 on DVD format, I am reminded how much more successful that season was. Sure TUF 10 ratings at times were fantastic down to the drawing power of internet sensation Kimbo Slice but overall US vs UK was superior viewing.

Series 9 pitted the Brits going head to head against the Yanks, with established fighters Dan Henderson and Mike Bisping as coaches, built up to an awesome showdown at UFC 100. Not only did it build up tension for the middleweight clash it worked as a platform to create fresh and exciting new young stars for the Zuffa brand, most notably Ross Pearson, James Wilks, Andre Winner of the UK and American Demarques Johnson. Giving the show the added international rivalry made the MMA reality TV programme compelling viewing each and every week.

The only downside for us Brits was seeing our boy Bisping brutally beaten by Hendo following TUF 9 at UFC 100. However the series gave Yanks and Brits a reason to watch that fight featured on the mammoth pay per view card.

Whilst viewing disc 1 I realised this was Alex Reid’s first reality TV show he missed featuring in, failing to beat Dean Amasinger for a place in the ultimate fighter house. The second of course for Katie Price’s ex-boyfriend was hit ITV series I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, where he planned to swing into the jungle, Tarzan style and propose to then girlfriend glamour girl Jordan, live on national television.

Relive the whole series once more when you buy this 5 disc DVD set. The finale show on disc 4 features a contending MMA fight of the year, between lightweight battlers  Clay “The Carpenter” Guida and Diego “Nightmare” Sanchez.

On the fifth DVD you will be treated to all the extras not included on the Virgin 1 aired TV series. The UFC take you behind the scenes of the series, a feature on the finale fighters plus UK and US bonus scene. Do yourself a favour by watching the UK bonus scenes alone for Lawson and Faulkner’s pro wrestling exhibition bout. Bournemouth based fighter Jeff Lawson is pure comedy gold.

The Ultimate Fighter season 9: US vs UK is out now on DVD, available direct from www.fightdvd.co.uk, HMV and all good retailers.

Keep visiting BluRayMMA.com for more reviews of brand new UFC and related combat sports and martial arts DVD releases.

UFC DVD review by Duane Farr

duane@bluraymma.com

The Ultimate Fighter - Team UK versus Team USA

Thanks to a friendly neighbour and their Sky Plus box and some useful websites I’ve now caught up on episode 12 along with the awesome finale show. So here’s a brief recap of the final episode from Virgin 1 with the finale review to follow shortly.

Episode 12 focuses on the final fight between American Frank Lester and Brit James Wilks to decide who will go head to head with Team USA welter weight hopeful DeMarques Johnson. Wilks has the advantage since beating Lester once already plus he is the fresher fighter.

It’s interesting to see Wilks and Lester are good buddies despite competing against each other inside the octagon.

Curry night for Team UK courtesy of Dean Amarasinghe. Michael Bisping tells of how chuffed he is to have put British MMA on the map with this series of  The Ultimate Fighter.

Fun and games ensue, as the team mates knock each other in the pool! It truly is fantastic how well Team UK have all bonded so well.

Jame Wilks vs Frank Lester 

Round 1) A tough fought first round, featuring lots of standup action and clinching defending against takedowns. Very close, infact both coaches believe their fighter won the round.

Round 2) Wilks receives a low blow pausing the action straight away but they are soon back to it. Another close tough round with no clear winner.

Round 3) James keeps his composure, eventually winning via knee strikes.

Lester did well, he was one tough cookie, you can’t take that away from him.  Wilks’ win earns him the spot for the Ultimate Finale for the welter weight TUF 9 prize taking on DeMarques Johnson.

Team UK doing so well spurs Dan Henderson on for his confrontation with Team UK coach Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping at UFC 100 on July 11th.

The Ultimate Fighter as shown on Virgin 1 Sunday nights at 11pm
in the UK on Freeview TV, Sky or Virgin Media.
UFC & MMA blog by Dynamite Duane

duane@bluraymma.com

http://twitter.com/BluRayMMA
www.myspace.com/dynamite_duane

The Ultimate Fighter season 9 semi finals

Since cancelling my subscription to Sky as I had planned to switch to Virgin Media instead I have been playing catch up. They told me I would still retain the freeview channels but they never told me that wouldn’t include Virgin 1. Well I’m glad I didn’t take out the Virgin Media package that included Setanta Sports as sadly Setanta is no longer with us.

I managed to find links for the semi final light weight fights from episode 11, so here is my recap of those bouts to decide the 2 light weight TUF contestants to compete on the Finale show shown last Sunday.

Ross Pearson vs Jason Dent

Round 1) This first round featured a lot of rough and tough standup action, witha lot of work defending each others takedown attempts against the fence. Tough fought first round going to Pearson the more dominant combatant.

Round 2) Jason Dent comes out attacking, attempting to avenge the first round. All the action is upright until Ross Pearson throws Dent to the canvas at the 2 minute mark. But the action is soon upright once more but the aggressive Brit takes the American down, following up and damn near ending it right there at the end of the round. One more round to decide.

Round 3) Again Dent comes out firing but Ross takes control of the American brawler, once again taking him to the canvas. On the ground Pearson is relentless. Pearson didn’t quite finish the fight against the gutsy Yank but he totally dominated earning a unamanous decision and a place in the TUF finale.

So who would face Pearson? A Brit or an American?

Andre Winner vs Cameron Dollar

Round 1) Andre Winner has to constantly defend against Cameron Dollars wrestling attack, attemting takedowns on the Brit mixed martial artist. Winner does get taken to the mat but it’s a case of Yin versus Yang, turning the takedown to his advantage from underneath acheiving the Tapout win via Triangle Choke.

So there you have that it, how the 2 light weight Brits got to the final, making a win – win situation for Mike Bisping and Team UK. Great for us Brits but not good for Dan Henderson and the Americans. Don’t forget Team USA still have a man in the finale – DeMarques Johnson.

The Ultimate Fighter as shown on Virgin 1 Sunday nights at 11pm in the UK on Freeview TV, Sky or Virgin Media.

Make sure you follow BluRayMMA on Twitter to keep updated on the latest MMA and UFC news, we are sure to have news on the new channel for the UFC very soon.

UFC & MMA blog by Dynamite Duane

duane@bluraymma.com

http://twitter.com/BluRayMMA
www.myspace.com/dynamite_duane

The UFC breaks ties with Setanta Sports

It has finally been confirmed this morning, The Ultimate Fighting Championship no longer has a deal with Setanta Sports. The decision had to be made sooner rather than later as the UFC builds up to UFC 100.

As things stand Setanta is still in business but the ailing sports subscription channel is a sinking ship, Marshall Zelaznik made the right decision to jump now.

The question remains of where the UFC will find as their new home in the British Isles? Gareth A Davies of the Daily Telegraph speculates on a return to Bravo or a move to Virgin 1, Sky Sports or even Channel 5. Another possibility is Disney owned sports network ESPN who are buying the rights to the big football games.

Whatever channel the UFC moves to it is good timing to make the jump now rather than nearer July 11th, as no Brit UFC fan wants to miss UFC 100.

TUF 9 - Team UK vs Team USA

Time for the semi final fights to kick off as we draw closer to see which 2 fighters will be crowned Ultimate Fighter in their respective welterweight and lightweight fight brackets . So who will move one step closer to the finale show?

The show starts as Dana White picks the matchups. Dana is tempted to mix it up with teams mate fighting each other but between him, Dan Henderson, Mike Bisping and the TUF 9 contestants they settle on keeping the competition as USA versus UK. Here are the pairings:

Nick Osipczak vs DeMarques Johnson

Andre Winner vs Cameron Dollar

Ross Pearson vs Jason Dent

James Wilks vs Frank Lester 

First of the 4 bouts is between welterweights Nick and Demarques. In the USA camp Jason Pierce the contestant unable to fight is receiving a hard time from his fellow team mates. Richie Whitson is not keen on Pierce being friendly with Brit Dave Faulkner and Team UK in general.

During Johnson’s training session Hendo tells us Johnson is the one he picks as the welterweight winner of the show. Only time will tell if he has backed the right fighter. Usually in Johnson’s bouts he is the combatant boasting a height advantage but this time Nick has a slight edge over the American.

Leading up to the fight the rumour circulates that Pierce is giving away Team USA’s training secrets to the Brits. Henderson challenges Pierce on the matter but is eager to deny. It turns out Nick was behind asking Dave Faulkner to infiltrate Team USA via Jason Pierce.

Pre fight  Bisping is shown pushing Nick hard in training. Mean while DeMarques prays for victory kneeling inside the UFC octagon. In paper it would be fair to say the more experienced mixed martial artist Johnson is the odds on favourite with 13 wins under his belt but the less expierenced Londoner Nick is undefeated at 3 and 0

Round 1) Demarques lands a hard blow on Nick. Nick gets taken down by the strong American wrestler but defends well soon regaining the upright position how Bisping taught him. As round progresses Johnson imposes his will on Nick in the ground game. Right at the end of the 1st round the Brit fighter fights back on to his feet laying into the American nearly finishing him. That what was one heck of an exciting round.

Round 2) Nick takes down DeMarques but unfortunately for the Brit he turns it around snatching top position. Johnson continues to dominate on top throughout the round. At one point during the onslaught Bisping from the Team UK corner protests at what appears to be back of the head stikes aimed at Nick. He covers up, defending just enough to see the fight through to a 3rd and final round!

Round 3) In the standup exchanges Johnson lands a huge knee to the head of Londoner Nick. Aiming a kick at Johnson, Nick is taken down once more. Demarques is strong on the canvas, eventually Nick turns it around taking top position. The fight goes the distance, Johnson won on the score card but it was one hell of a scrap.  The first MMA loss for Nick Osipczak but I’m sure we’ll see more this talented young Brit mixed martial artist.  

Demarques Johnson secures his seat in the final versus the winner of James Wilks and Frank Lester. Next episode on tonight at 11pm on Virgin1 tonight will see the 4 light weights square off in episode 11. The following week showing in US on June 20th will be finale show.  

Make sure you tune into Virgin 1 every Sunday at 11pm in the UK
on Freeview TV, Sky or Virgin Media. Setanta Sports subscribers can
catch The Ultimate Fighter second showing every Wednesday.
Over in the States the programme is aired on Spike TV a few days earlier.

Fight fans can now follow BluRayMMA(me!) and BluRayUFC on Twitter.

UFC & MMA blog by Dynamite Duane

duane@bluraymma.com

http://twitter.com/BluRayMMA
www.myspace.com/dynamite_duane

Bisping and Henderson - coaches clash.

The series continues with Team USA trailing 3 to 4 but they are gaining on Mike Bisping’s Team UK. Last time we find out Jason Pierce had lost his opportunity. Dana White meets with the Welter weight fighters to see who wants it the most to take Pierce’s spot versus David Faulkner. Frank Lester is the man begging for the chance to enter the octagon again despite having his teeth knocked out last time. Dana admires his heart and so chooses Lester despite his war wounds.

 Bisping is not happy with Henderson and the change of training times, he doesn’t want to switch just because Dan Henderson says so. The reason for the change is due to Frank Lester not being 100% for the clash with Dave Faulkner. A wound up Bisping squirts water at DaMarques Johnson, the guy he thought made a racist comment at him during the tennis game coaches challenge previously. After it was explained DaMarques was the wrong man Bisping apologises for his antics.

In an attempt to sort his gag reflex problem Dave Faulkner visits a hypnotherapist. But did the therapy do the trick?

So here we  have it the final preliminary of the season from the welters. Bisping has a lot riding on Faulkner, for one he a fellow Wolfslair fighter and secondly if he loses to Lester Bisping’s Team UK will no longer be in the lead but neck and neck with the Americans.

Round 1) A close first round with Faulkner taking a slight advantage.

Round 2) Well Faulkner wasn’t totally cured of his gag reflex problem since the gum shield flew out causing referee Steve Mazzagatti to call for a time out early on in the round. American Lester makes good use of the Muay Thai clinch piling in some strong knee strikes. Faulkner appears tired but manages to land some good punches to Lester. Another closely fought round. Dana declares a third round to decide the winner. Mean while in Faulkner’s corner the Team UK coach Bisping is having a hard job encouraging the Liverpudlian to continue. Despite all the words of encouragement Faulkner gives in to his body, the third round wasn’t to be.

A dark day for Team UK but only Faulkner does how he feels. Frank Lester deserves the victory, the guy has a ton of heart, you got to admire that him taking this fight and winning coming off a loss so soon and losing his front teeth.

Team UK 4 – 4 Team USA

Bisping is gutted to be blunt. Storming off for a breather he takes 4 remaining contestants to one side for a chat preparing them for the semi finals away from Faulkner. Bisping has got to feel disappointed since David Faulkner was the fighter he talked up so much being  a fellow Wolfslair team member.

Episode 10 the semi final picks plus two welters clash in the cage.

Make sure you tune into Virgin 1 every Sunday at 11pm in the UK on Freeview TV, Sky or Virgin Media. Setanta Sports subscribers can catch The Ultimate Fighter second showing every Wednesday. Over in the States the programme is aired on Spike TV a few days earlier.

Check out my brand new UFC blog by visiting http://blurayufc.com/ the sister site of bluraymma.com

MMA blog by Dynamite Duane

duane@bluraymma.com

www.myspace.com/dynamite_duane

The TUF 9 lightweight fighters

This episode we see Brit fighter David Faulkner not struggling with training in the usual sense but trying to get over his gum shield phobia. Dave’s problem is a gag reflex from wearing a gum shield. Something you can do without as a mixed martial artist, seeing as it is essential to protect your teeth inside the octagon.

Mean while in Dan Henderson’s American training camp Jason Pierce is suffering from what is now known to be a Staph infection. It is still unclear wether Pierce is going to fight.

Next up Henderson gives his trainees a timeout  from the gruelling sparring and strength training as Team USA play the Ultimate Frisbee. It’s a game of Frisbee but with a squad of ultimate fighters it is resembling a game of Rugby on a dusty pitch in Arizona. Despite the morale boost of the team game out in the open Pierce with his ailment is a source of negative energy for the his team mates.

The next fight in the lightweight category is decided between Bournemouth Bulldog gym fighter Jeff Lawson against American Jason Dent. Both guys are technically sound MMA practioners. Lawson is the fighter I have been waiting to see since he impressed me on the first episode plus he is a Bournemouth lad so I’m rooting for him.  

Over in Team USA coach Hendo is having problems with Dent who is not open to learning, strange considering this is a once in a life time opportunity for the American mixed martial artist.

Along with being a fantastic grappler and all round exciting fighter Jeff Lawson turns out to be a funny entertaining bloke to watch on TV. This my friends and fellow ultimate fight fanatics is the episode of the pro wrestling match! What a classic moment seeing 3 real fighters Faulkner, Amarasinghe and Lawson donning Lucha Libre style masks acting out WWE wrestling in the TUF 9 house. Not only was it fun to see them vertical suplex each other off the diving board but a great example of Team UK’s bonding. There was me presuming Team USA would get up to tongfoolery of that kind.

Jeff Lawson is fully prepared for the fight ahead of him having recovered from a chest infection earlier in the series. By appearance Lawson does not standout as an obvious tough guy like Brit MMA legend Ian Freeman for instance but watch out for this red devil.

Mean while Dana White questions Jason Pierce if he can fight because a decision needs to be made. Dana is not convinced he really wants it. Could someone else get another crack at it? Who might replace Pierce?

Jeff Lawson’s opponent Jason Dent is sure of himself, expressing confidence in kicking Lawson’s butt.

It’s fight time, Herb Dean is the fight official for this lightweight bout.

Round 1) Lawson is exciting watch, impressing attacking with a Capoirora  style kick. Dorset lad Lawson dominates the 1st round on the mat, attempting numerous submissions to tapout Dent. Dent defends himself managing to last the round but it doesn’t look good for the American fighter.

Round 2)  Another exciting fast paced round which inluded more aerial  assault from Lawson in the form of a flying knee. The problem for Lawson despite the heart he shows he is gassed appearing not to be fully fit to go the distance since his chest infection. Dent on the ground sneaks in an Anaconda choke to take the win by tap out. The chest infection affected Lawson’s cardio but still looked ace despite gassing. If anyone can recommend me a DVD featuring Lawson please let me known.

Dent won but Dana White was not impressed by Dent’s performance. There you have it UK 4-3 USA. We are still ahead but the Yanks are gaining on us.

At the close of the show Dana declares Pierce is not going to fight. The question remains of who will take his place?

Make sure you tune into Virgin 1 every Sunday at 11pm in the UK on Freeview TV, Sky or Virgin Media. Setanta Sports subscribers can catch The Ultimate Fighter second showing every Wednesday. Over in the States the programme is aired on Spike TV a few days earlier.

 
MMA blog by Dynamite Duane

duane@bluraymma.com

www.myspace.com/dynamite_duane

Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping is pleased to be in the lead once again but will
Team UK maintain their lead over their American counterparts – Team USA?

The next pair of Welter Weights to compete on TUF 9 will be Brit and Wolfslair graduate David Faulkner taking on the American Jason Pierce. A bit of an odd matchup in the sense that these 2 have bonded well and become good mates. All of that will have to be left behind when they enter the UFC octagon.

Ginger haired Richie Whitson has the contagious skin condition Impetigo,
fellow American Jason Pierce is paranoid about catching it, hoping to prevent the spread to him and everyone else he sprays a can of disinfectant all over the TUF house.

Pierce has an ankle injury giving him bother in trainin, which doesn’t bode well going into his fight versus Faulkner.

Mike Bisping employs the use of a slegde hammer and a massive 6 foot wide tractor tyre for Team UK fighters which doesn’t go smoothly to say the least!  One wack of the hammer misses the tyre denting the floor while someone else breaks the mat!

Back over in the American camp Pierce grumbles about the way he is being pushed physcially. Dripping in sweat Pierce quits the sparring session inside the cage. Some of his team mates get the impression Pierce does not want to fight Faulkner. We have the same old story of Team USA not sticking together as a unit.

You remember the sledge hammer incidents? Well there was one more, Faulkner accidently hit his own leg causing himself an injury resulted in the need for antibiotics due to infection. Pre fight it doesn’t look for positive for either welter weight fighter.

Time for some fun games as this week is the Coaches Challenge. UFC main man Dana White chooses tennis of all things. The money on the table is $1500 each for the winning team. Dan Henderson turns out to the better man on the court and there is a lot barracking from the USA team mates. Bisping wins some games but ultimately gets thrashed by Hendo to the pleasure of the American TUF 9 contestants. Bisping was peeed off at the jibes aimed at his pale legs.

The programme makers keep us in suspense as to wether the welter weight matchup will happen as a lightweight clash is announced for between American Richie Whitson and Brit battler Ross Pearson from Sunderland. Dan Henderson has high hopes for Whitson one of his proteges. Before their fight Richie celebrates his birthday with a surprise cake complete with candles courtesy of the UFC.

Both Whitson and Pearson make the required 155 lbs weight bracket at the weigh-ins. Pearson looks to be a real force to be contended with for Whitson.

Round 1)
The fight is a real rough and tough brawl. Whitson receives a slamming from the aggressive Pearson. During Whitson’s takedown attempt on Pearson the Brit strikes the American straight in the face kneeing him. Due to Whitson’s position the blow was illegal, consequently he Ross Pearson loses one point and Whitson is allowed a timeout. The timeout does ginger haired Whitson no favours as Pearson snatches a the tapout victory via Armbar submission. A win for Pearson and Bisping’s Team UK extend their lead over their American opposition.

UK 4-2 USA.

The action and excitement gets better each week. Next we’ll finally see what transpires between David Faulkner and Jason Pierce.

Make sure you tune into Virgin 1 every Sunday at 11pm in the UK on Freeview TV, Sky or Virgin Media. Setanta Sports subscribers can catch The Ultimate Fighter second showing every Wednesday. Over in the States the programme is aired on Spike TV a few days earlier.

MMA blog by Dynamite Duane

duane@bluraymma.com

www.myspace.com/dynamite_duane

The Ultimate Fighter - Team UK versus Team USA

Tonight’s first fight is announced between Martin Stapleton from Rochdale
taking on American Cameron Dollar in the Light weight bracket.
Royal Marine Stapleton is very confident where as Dollar
confesses to being nervous.

Following last episodes no showing by Mike Bisping we see him wholeheartedly apologise to Dean Amarasinghe for his absence at cage side. Bisping explains he overslept due to not sleeping sleeping well since landing in the US.

Stapes is the sort of bloke you would respect but not want to get on the wrong side of down your local boozer carries himself with the confidence you would expect from a tough as a nails military man. Dollar looks scared of the northener when he comes near him.

Dollar’s strengths lay in wrestling so in training he concentrates on improving his stand up game. But will it pay off for him inside the octagon?

Stapes the very confident 8 year army veteran confesses to missing his daughter.

All preparation is over – it’s fight time!

Round 1)
It transpired that coach Dan Henderson did a fantastic job training and inspiring Cameron Dollar who demolished the British fighter Martin Stapleton. Stapes following a powerful blow to the head tapped out to the American’s Rear Naked Choke submission. Now that is what I call a surprise result, that is why the UFC and the sport of MMA is so damn exciting for us spectators.

At 2 a piece it made the scores even between Team UK and Team USA but don’t forget there was one more fight to be shown on episode 6.

The next bout was chosen between 2 welters this time, Frank Lester of San Diego taking on James Wilks originally from the Midlands. Wilks a resident in the States moved to the US having trained in Orange County, California. Lester labels Wilks a traitor to his country having left the UK to train MMA stateside, also saying he is spoilt.

Frank Lester in training is an intense dude. Dan Henderson sits down and has a chat with him encouraging the guy to loosen up and relax more as he needs a clear mind pre-fight.

Round 1)
Worthy of note here Steve Mazzagatti as the asigned referee. Lester looks the better striker but Wilks takes a leg of Lester’s attempting a heel hook submission showing he isn’t a one dimensional Brit striker but a skilled BJJ grappler. A tough fought round going mostly Wilks’ way, ending with Lester being saved by the bell caught in Wilks’ choke hold. There is a delay in starting the second round due to Lester have teeth knocked out by the Brit fighter stuck in his gum-shield. Mazzagatti instructs the cornermen to remove the teeth and continue the contest. Bisping expresses disapproval that if he is unable to start then his man Wilks has won the fight by default.

Round 2)
The 2nd round under way and Wilks is mauling his American counterpart. It’s not long before James Wilks takes a tap out win via Arm-bar. Awesome fight. Frank Lester showed a lot of heart continuing despite having teeth knocked out but the battling Brit fighter was the better man on the day.

UK 3-2 USA, yes Team UK is back in the lead. Two more scraps next week where it could all change.

Make sure you tune into Virgin 1 every Sunday at 11pm in the UK on Freeview TV, Sky or Virgin Media. Setanta Sports subscribers can catch The Ultimate Fighter second showing every Wednesday. Over in the States the programme is aired on Spike TV a few days earlier.

MMA blog by Dynamite Duane

duane@bluraymma.com

www.myspace.com/dynamite_duane

TUF 9 - national pride.

Following Nick Osipczak’s knockout win for Team UK the American TUF hopefuls came to realise the Brits mean business. Where the Yanks went wrong is believing the British fighters are one-dimensional strikers. Osipczak showed himself to be a canny well-rounded fighter.

Next we get to see Team USA training but mostly not getting on and picking fights we each other. Generally it seems they are all out for themselves, not willing to help each other. Henderson attempts to pull them together as a unit boosting morale in the American camp.

Time to choose the next preliminary bout it’s Bisping’s turn he picks Andre Winner representing the UK against former IFL fighter Santino Defranco in the lightweight bracket.

Dre looks impressive in training taking down Mike Bisping having just learnt the skill from him.

Defranco has got a lot of heart since returning to MMA following brain surgery after attempting to be on an earlier season of The Ultimate Fighter. That really shows strength of character.

Fight time.
Round 1)
Dre looks good defending and attacking in the stand up battle. On the mat Dre gets snared in Defranco’s guard, it doesn’t look good for the Brit but he takes Bispings advice breaking free to drop some bombs on his grounded opponent grabbing the TKO win. Team UK 2-0!

Defranco’s loss was the second consecutive loss for Dan Henderon’s team. Hendo doesn’t seem great at inspiring his fighters plus Team USA are not gelling well as a unit. The difference with the two factions is Team UK have no egos and happily learn from each other and have fun along the way but the American TUF contestants are a different kettle of fish.

This week we are treated to a second battle inside the cage as the competition continues Henderson gets the pick. For the third preliminary bout it is the turn of the welterweights. DaMarques Johnson is chosen versus Dean Amarasinghe of Nottingham. Both fighters are hot prospects, Dean beat veteran Brit mixed martial artist Alex Reid and DaMarques is the more experienced taller fighter. Pre fight the Utah native Johnson prays inside the octagon grateful for the opportunity.

It is fight time but someone is missing, Mike Bisping is AWOL, which does not bode well for Amarasinghe. Dean is not without a corner-man as Bispng’s own coaches Mario Sukata and Dave Jackson are on hand.

Round 1)
Johnson swiftly shoots in taking down Amarasinghe to the canvas. Johnson outclasses the Brit utilising his BJJ skills taking the first win for via Triangle submission tapping him out.

The win appears to be a huge morale booster for the American lads but the UK loss reflects badly on the absent Michael Bisping, ultimately Johnson was the better man on the day getting the result that counted.

Next week:
Where was Bisping? Will Team USA work together? Two more fights inside the UFC octagon.

Make sure you tune into Virgin 1 every Sunday at 11pm in the UK on
Freeview TV, Sky or Virgin Media. Setanta Sports subscribers can catch The Ultimate Fighter the second showing every Wednesday. Over in the States the programme is aired on Spike TV.

MMA blog by Dynamite Duane
duane@bluraymma.com
www.myspace.com/dynamite_duane