TUF 7: Separating Boys From Men
Posted by Jason Wawro on May 15th, 2008Fighters.com’s top-ranked light heavyweight “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (28-6) finally got make his first match-up on season seven of The Ultimate Fighter Wednesday.
Team Jackson drafted Gerald Harris (6-2) to face Team Forrest’s Amir Sadollah (0-0) in what Rampage dubbed “the classis wrassler” versus kickboxer match-up.
Rampage was high on Harris, with whom he shares fight styles. They like to slam opponents and pound them.
Fifth-ranked light heavyweight Forrest Griffin (15-4) had questions about Amir’s confidence before the match.
Gerald Harris (6-2) v Amir Sadollah (0-0)
Ding, ding! Harris immediately shot in and drove Sadollah to the fence for a double-leg takedown.
From Amir’s half-guard, Harris landed a few punches and short elbows. Amir controlled his posture to minimize the damage.
Sadollah was able to stand back up and Harris clinched him up looking for another takedown. Again, Harris brutally slammed Amir like a child.
After some light G’n’P, Gerald once again slammed Amir and fought from Sadollah’s open guard.
Working to their feet again, Amir threw a big knee, but missed, setting up Gerald for the low single. Gerald grabbed on to Amir’s leg; but, Amir managed to reverse the position before Gerald could take him down.
Amir was trying to get Harris in the crucifix position, popping Harris with two elbows to the body in the process. Gerald escaped as Amir tried to take his back and Harris drove Sadollah against the fence to finish the round.
Amir began round two determined to keep his feet. He connected with a couple of sharp leg kicks before Harris pushed him against the fence again for the takedown.
From the top, Gerald landed a wide-arcing elbow before standing again.
Amir, who had been getting dominated to this point, responded with a knee that looked like it stunned Harris. Gerald looked immediately for another takedown and shot in low, grabbing Amir’s leg near the ankle.
Refusing to the let go of the leg, Gerald eats a few body shots from Amir, who tries to take his back. Harris escaped the ensuing scramble and took Amir down against the fence.
The fighters stand back up; and, Amir, sensing defeat landed a right knee to the jaw of Harris that dropped him for a flash knockout.
Harris turtled-up and grabbed Amir’s leg instinctually. Sadollah threw a few punches before the referee stopped the fight.
Winner by technical knockout: Amir Sadollah
Rampage was depressed because Gerald was one of his favorites. Harris was crushed and enraged. Neither had time to lament on the loss as the final fight pairings for the first round were quickly named.
Team Forrest selected Cale Yarbrough (0-0) to face Team Rampage’s replacement fighter, Patrick Schultz (5-1-1), leaving Team Forrest’s Nick Klein (3-0) versus Team Rampage’s top pick, CB Dollaway (6-0)
Both Yarbrough and Schultz are stand-up specialists and make a “no jiu-jitsu” truce.
Forrest said Yarbrough could beat anyone in the house as long as they stayed away from “that hippie stuff”, referring to wrestling and jiu-jitsu.
Patrick said he was looking forward to having a kickboxing match ending in a knockout.
Cale Yarbrough (0-0) v Patrick Schultz (5-1-1)
Early on, the fight between Yarbrough and Schultz looked exactly as hyped. Yarbrough threw a high kick that Schultz caught and used to send him to the mat; but, Schultz allowed Cale to stand right back up. They wanted to bang! The boxing match continued and Schultz was effectively working his jab, mixing in a few power punches.
Both men were content to strike and neither would capitalize on the many openings for takedowns. Schultz appeared to have a more technical boxing game and was getting the best of the stand-up.
Finally, with 1:45 left in the round, Cale realized he was getting picked apart. He shot in for a double-leg takedown and, with no defense from Schultz, got in Schultz’s guard, pounding him with hammer fists.
After about a minute, the fighters stood and Cale scored another easy takedown, ending the round with some light G’n’P inside Schultz’s guard.
Fighters.com scored this round 10-9 for Schultz.
Schultz, looking gassed, wanted no part of the ground game. He came out swinging to start the second round.
Cale got another takedown into Schultz’s half-guard. The fight stayed on the mat the entire round; and, Yarbrough was dominant. He connected with punches and a few elbows while keeping Schultz’s back on the mat.
Cale looked like he was getting stronger and gaining confidence as the round wore on.
Schultz, however, was gassed out. He wasn’t trying to escape, just trying to avoid the stoppage.
Fighters.com scored the round 10-9 for Yarbrough.
When it was announced that a third round wasn’t necessary, everyone knew the outcome.
Winner by decision: Cale Yarbrough
Rampage was upset, thinking Schultz had won round one.
Forrest offered Yarbrough for another round.
Schultz told Forrest, “Go back to your corner. I can’t wait until you fight Rampage.”
Forrest countered with a “Who the fuck are you?” stare.
Rampage warned Forrest, “I bet my whole purse our fight doesn’t end in a decision,” then stormed off.
