TUF 7: Experience, Respect

 This week started with a recap of Jesse Taylor’s (6-0) choke-out of Mike Dolce (3-4).  The fighters all said Jesse’s superior wrestling allowed him to control the fight and grind out the victory.  He won $10,000 for himself and the right for his team to pick the next fight.  That night, he rewarded himself with some beers while “Chipper” Matthew Riddle (0-0) and Dante Rivera (10-2) traded some trash talk.

The next day, “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (29-6) put his team through some circuit training to “see what they are made of.”  The team discussed who they thought Forrest would pick to fight.  They speculated that Forest would put up one of his strongest fighters against one of Rampage’s weakest to maintain control of the matchmaking.  They decided that Rivera versus Patrick Schultz (5-1-1) was the most likely match-up.

Back at the house, Riddle said he wanted to fight next.  At fight selection, he learned he would get his wish versus BJJ black belt Timothy Credeur (9-2).  The memory of Chipper’s violent knockout of Dan Simmler (0-0) was still fresh in everyone’s mind.  Credeur saw Riddle as a challenge and said he went there to fight the toughest guys.

The night before the fight, Riddle was relaxed.  He knew that he was young enough that he could lose and still be successful in the sport.  Credeur knew his clock was ticking and said if he lost he’d have to re-evaluate life as a fighter.  Everyone was anxious to see if the greenhorn, Riddle, could use his knockout power to overcome the fight experience and proven ground game of Credeur.

“Chipper” Matthew Riddle (0-0) VS Timothy Credeur (9-2)

Round 1:

Right off the bat, Riddle shot for a low single and got to Credeur’s back for the takedown.  Tim loosened one of Riddle’s hooks and spun out to get back to his feet.

Credeur landed a jab and a few leg kicks.  Riddle countered with a leg kick of his own and shot for another takedown.  After a brief scramble, “Chipper” slammed Credeur with a hip-toss.  Tim escaped to his butterfly guard and back to his feet.

A few punches were exchanged and Credeur tripped Riddle and got top position against the cage.  After another scramble, Riddle appeared to momentarily have Credeur’s back; but, Credeur rolled and looked to attack Chipper’s leg with a submission.  Riddle defended and got top position in Credeur’s open guard.  “Chipper” tried to pass; but, Tim used the opportunity to pull off a nice butterfly sweep and take the mount on Riddle.  Tim was throwing and landing punches and elbows form the top and bloodied Riddle’s nose.  Looking lost under the mount, Riddle tried to block some of Tim’s shots.  With fifteen seconds left, he gave up his back to stop the punches.

Credeur worked the rear naked choke; but, Riddle was able to fend it off for the remainder of the round.  The atmosphere during the fight was intense.  You could barely hear the coaches over the screaming of the other fighters.

Round 2:

Riddle stormed out and landed a right head kick and took Credeur down.

Credeur looked for a lower body submission; but, Riddle defended and wound up on his back near the cage with Credeur in his guard.  Tim landed some shots.

“Get up!  Get up!” shouted Rampage.  He wanted Riddle to get the fight back to his feet where he had a better chance of beating the ground specialist.

“Chipper” ate some punches and elbows and his nose started bleeding again.  Things looked bad for Matt; but, as Credeur stepped back to throw a bomb, Riddle turned to his knees and pushed Credeur off.

“He’s done!” exclaimed Rampage.

“Chipper”, now back on his feet, started throwing bombs.  Credeur was gassed!  Riddle landed a few punches, got Tim in the clinch, landed a knee to the body, and took him down.

Rampage shouted for Chipper to let him up.

Riddle started connecting with body shots and some elbows to the face.  Credeur attempted a triangle that Riddle quickly slipped out of.  Tim stayed tight to Riddle and used his triangle escape to take the mount and look for the armbar form the top.

“No! No!” shouted Forest.  He wanted Tim to maintain top position and win the decision rather than go for the risky finish.

Credeur’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu took over and he extended the arm, forcing Riddle to tap.

Winner by tap out due to armbar: Timothy Credeur

Rampage and Juanito Ibarra, Team Rampage’s striking coach, were disappointed because Riddle fought hard, but made a huge mistake and didn’t follow the game plan.  He took the fight to the ground against a BJJ black belt at the critical point of the fight.  Team Rampage lost another fight, and a promising fighter.  Team Forrest took a 2-0 lead and retained matchmaking rights for the next round.