Fighters.com » TUF 7: Going Once, Going Twice…Dollaway Makes It

TUF 7: Going Once, Going Twice…Dollaway Makes It

Posted by Jon Grilz on June 19th, 2008

The Ultimate Fighter wasted no time this week in getting into the action as the final semi-final match got on between middleweight “The Doberman” CB Dollaway (6-0) and Amir Sadollah (0-0).

Immediately, both fighters came out striking and spent the first part of the round striking and circling, feeling each other out. Amir landed a left roundhouse kick to the body of CB, knocking CB to the mat. However, Amir moved in too quickly and CB was able to get a double leg take down that he turned into a slam.

Amir then pulled guard and attempted and arm bar as CB worked the ground’n'pound that has thus far been successful for him. Amir was able to avoid most shots as well as stopping CB from passing his guard.

Eventually, Amir was able to sweep CB off of him and get to his feet where he landed a body shot that visibly shook up CB. However, CB recovered and was able to get another take down. He passed to half guard, then took Amir’s back with 15 seconds to go in the round. The round ended with CB in mount on Amir.

Round two opened up with more striking. Again, Amir got the better of it when he landed a front kick to CB that knocked him to the ground. Amir again rushed in and CB scored another take down, this time ending up in half guard.

Amir was able to adjust, pull full guard and attempt an arm bar. CB pulled out of it again, then landed a vicious elbow under Amir’s eye, opening up a large cut.

The fighters were soon after stood up. CB looked exhausted and frustrated, but managed to get one more take down as the round expired.

Round three began with a show of respect, with both fighters touching gloves. Immediately after, Amir unleashed a flurry of punches, sending CB into the fence. CB was able to recover and reverse positions, pinning Amir to the fence instead.

Amir was able to avoid the first two take down attempts before CB was able to score the takedown and get into position to sink in a rear naked choke. However, Amir was able to spin towards the choke and pull guard on CB yet again.

Amir immediately attempted an arm bar that ended with the fighters in north/south position. Amir then attempted a key lock on CB’s foot, which then switched into Amir being in inverted guard and attempting a triangle.

Again, Amir pulled guard and CB tried to stand and rain down some strikes. Amir was able to control CB’s arm and swing his leg around CB’s head, securing an arm bar. CB was forced to tap out.

It looked as though the finals were set for The Ultimate Fighter finale. And they were set, for about two days.

In that two days span, three unnamed fighters and finalist middleweight Jesse Taylor (6-2) decided to rent a limo and spend a few extra nights in Las Vegas after the show had ended.

Security footage released to Dana White from hotel security at the Palace Station Casino showed a stumbling drunk Taylor emerge from a limo after evidently kicking out a side window. White then went on to explain that Taylor went into the hotel bar and harassed some of the female guests.

When security arrived, Taylor was confrontational and announced that he was a UFC fighter, perhaps trying to condone his actions.

White was not amused.

Fighters.com’s Ligh Heavyweight Champion“Rampage” Quinton Jackson (29-6) and eighth-ranked Forrest Griffin (15-4) were brought in to be appraised of the situation and confront Taylor.

When Taylor arrived he was not forthright in his admission; but, White pressed the issue and scolded Taylor for his behavior before announcing that Taylor was kicked off the show and the subsequent finale match against Amir.

It was then up to the two coaches and the UFC president to find a replacement for Taylor.

Enter Tim Credeur (10-2) and CB.

Both fighters were flown back in and told of what had happened. They then had three weeks to prepare for their second chance at making the finals.

Amir was also brought back in and told that he would no longer be fighting Taylor at the final. He and White were ringside to see who would come out between Tim, a grappler, and CB, a wrestler.

Round one opened with both men on their feet striking and stayed there. Both fighters seemed to respect the other’s particular talents and opted to trade strikes.

Tim seemed to get the better of most exchanges working counter punches and landing combinations and flurries in response to CB’s jab and cross. CB was able to land the most solid kicks, but they seemed to do little damage.

As the round came to the end, Tim landed a strike that knocked CB down and as he went into finish. CB was able to reverse position and work a guillotine choke. Tim was able to work out of it and both fighters stood.

With just two seconds left in the round, CB managed a double leg take down.

Round two began with more striking and CB going for, and getting, an early take down. Tim attempted to counter with a heel hook as CB stood, but wasn’t able to grab CB’s foot and both fighters went back to their feet.

After trading a few more exchanges, Tim was caught with a right hook and slipped to his butt. CB didn’t pursue and stayed standing. Tim attempted a couple of up-kicks and kicks to CB’s knees with no results and again got back to his feet.

This time it was CB who unleashed the flurry that sent Tim into the cage and knocked him to the ground. Just as it seemed that the ref was about to step in, Tim managed to get to his feet and spin away from the cage. Though visibly worn down, Tim stayed on the offensive, pressing the action.

CB was able to get another single leg take down and Tim pulled guard, where the fight stayed as time expired.

Round three opened with CB landing a strong right cross and following it up with a take down. Again, Tim attempted a heel hook and managed to get back to his feet.

At that point in the fight, Tim continued to move forward, but it was CB that had more power and speed in his punches and landed them more often.

Twice more as the round went on, CB was able to take Tim to the ground, but either stood just out of reach of Tim, slowing the pace of the fight, or, as the round ended, staying low in Tim’s guard, landing shots with his head down.

This fight went to the score cards determining the winner by unanimous decision, “The Doberman” CB Dollaway.