TUF TALK TOO

Not by choice but I traveled through wind, rain and snow to make it home in time for the Ultimate Fighter Finale. Coach Rashad Evans was in attendance; Quinton Jackson was notably absent…posting a message on his sight of a 2010 return versus Evans.

Posing as two pit gladiators, hammer fisted Houston Alexander and Kimbo Slice faced off at 215lbs. Slice stalked Alexander throwing bombs at every opportunity and for the first time I saw Houston Alexander back away from contact at center cage. Instead he focused on leg kicks to Slices reportedly bad leg. The fight had lulls and lapses at times, fans booed. Kimbo did treat UFC fans to his newly acquired American Top team moves with some awesome wrestling and good solid ground maneuvers. Twice Slice power slammed Alexander like he was on the Junior Varsity. Both men fatigued as the fight wore on but Kimbo clearly carried the fight to Alexander and so his official UFC coronation began with a unanimous decision.

I was intrigued by the prospect of Matt Hamill versus UFC Rookie MVP Jon “Bones” but like fans in attendance was a bit disappointed with the outcome. Both Hamill and Jones are former All-American wrestlers. Matt Hamill from TUF 3 is as tough as they come and has transitioned from just a tough wrestler to an all around MMA fighter. Jon Jones took the wrestlers edge away in the opening minutes with a top shelf Greco Roman trip and slam. On the mat he easily controlled Hamill gained the mount and began to rain down punches and elbows. Hamill could not work out from his back barely fending off Jones’ blows. According to what the referee saw Jon Jones threw an elbow in the vertical position and was initially penalized for an illegal blow. Standing again Matt Hamill informed the referee that he could not continue and the fight was stopped and awarded to Hamill on an infraction. Evidently it was not the elbows but the slam on his shoulder that ended Hamill’s night. Jones’ infraction snatched victory from his mitts Saturday. Perhaps a rematch down the road might erase Saturday’s bad showing.

I said Big Country Roy Nelson stood an even chance of winning the finale and I was serious. Saturday Nelson’s chances went from even to lopsided. Brendan Schaub is a good athlete always in great shape. He came in aggressive working a stiff jab but was no match for Nelson’s strength and takedowns. Nelson had Schaub in trouble early maintaining side control and looking to end the fight on the mat. Schaub is outstanding at getting back to his feet. Nelson, a wile MMA vet found a flaw in Schaubs standup defense because back to the feet for less than :30 Nelson rushed in and landed a thudding right cross that KO’d the Jackson’s prospect and shocked Dana White et al cageside. Big Country has a physique rivaling Humpty Dumpty and Burger King in his favorites but he is a serious UFC masher.

Also, James Mcsweeny of Jackson’s MMA stopped Darril Schoonover in round two of a heavyweight bout. I’m anxious to see when Mcsweeny makes the move to 205. Matt Mitrione the house whiner on TUF 10 KO’d Marcus “Darkness” Jones in their “grudge” match. Mitrione like Brendan Schaub exploited Jones’ tendency to lower his hands and went for the home run bomb. Dana White likes whiner Mitrione so look for him to stick around in 09. I would think that Saturday’s loss pointed Marcus Jones towards the UFC exit but I could be wrong.


Jdon Howard