The fighters exchanged punches from the opening of round one before Evangelista suddenly took Gurgel to the ground. In response during the final seconds of round two, Gurgel landed a powerful left kick sending Evangelista to the mat. Gurgel almost landed a guillotine choke on Evangelista, but the local favorite escaped during the remaining seconds.

The final round was a back-and-forth affair, but Evangelista pulled through and earned a lightweight title shot.

Following the fight, a disappointed Gurgel stated, “The guy is tough. I have to take my hat off to him.”

In another exciting fight, heavyweight Shane Del Rosario (7-0) defeated local fighter “Cash Money” Brandon Cash (4-1) with a first round submission.

During the third televised fight on Showtime, middleweight Luke Rockhold (6-1) defeated Jesse Taylor (9-4) with a rear naked choke in the first round. The referee called the fight at 3:42 of the round one.

Merritt Warren (2-4) defeated Thomas Diagne (0-1) via heel hook in a lightning fast affair. Warren quickly caught Diagne in the submission forcing the French San Shou champion to tap at 3:49 of the opening round.

The Pit 205-pound prospect, former kickboxer Scott Lighty (5-0) TKO’d Mike Cook (7-7) on the undercard at Strikeforce in San Jose Friday. The referee stepped in to end the beating at 2:05 of the first round.

The fight night opened with lightweight Alexander Trevino (5-0) remaining undefeated by tapping out Isaiah Hill (3-6-1) in a keylock at 3:56 of round one.

Cung Le-trained welterweight James Terry (6-1) TKO’d Zac Bucia (4-3) in 23 seconds. The ref stepped in to grant Bucia a reprieve just after the fight got underway.

And, the jungle got its revenge as “Silverback” Justin Wilcox (6-3) tapped out “Tarzan” David Douglas (4-2) at 2:16 of round three.

Defending champion “Babalu” weighed 201 pounds while challenging prospect Mousasi weighed 204 pounds.

Heavyweight UFC cast-off “Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (11-4-1) weighed 228 pounds. His late replacement opponent, American Kickboxing Academy’s “MAK” Mike Kyle (11-6-1), weighed 219 pounds.

Interim Strikeforce lightweight champion “El Niño” Gilbert Melendez (15-2) and challenger “Endless Fighter” Mitsuhiro Ishida (19-4-1) were both at the 155-pound limit.

“I know I’m in the best shape I can be right now and I’m just ready to get in there and fight,” said Melendez, though he remains annoyed by the circumstances leading to Ishida replacing Strikeforce lightweight champion “Punk” Josh Thomson (15-2-1). “I was training a lot of wrestling and stand-up for a taller, conventional fighter and now my opponent is a short, southpaw wrestler. So there have been some changes and there’s not really a lot you can do. I’ve been training wrestling so I’m OK there but I wish I had more time to train specifically for Ishida. At the end of the day I train hard to fight whoever they put out there so I’ll be ready.”

Welterweight “Thoroughbred” Jay Hieron (14-4) weighed 169 pounds. He’ll match-up versus “JT Money” Jesse Taylor (8-2), who weighed one-half pound more.

The Pit light heavyweight Scott Lighty (4-0) had three pounds to spare while his opponent Mike Cook (7-6) was spot on the 205-pound limit.

Lightweight “Tarzan” David Douglas (4-1) was the admissable one-pound over and “Silverback” Justin Wilcox (5-3) was one-pound under the 155-pound limit.

Cung Le-trained welterweight James Terry (5-1) weighed 169 pounds. His opponent, Zac Bucia (4-2), weighed 170 pounds.

Lightweights Isaiah Hill (3-5-1) and Alexander Trevino (4-0) matched each other at 156 pounds.

Maybe it was scheduled at 4:20 PM?

A card-carrying medical marijuana toker, Diaz was popped for marijuana use by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after tapping “Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (28-6) in a gogoplata at PRIDE 33 in Las Vegas in February 2007.

He was denied a license to fight on a Strikeforce card by the Armando Garcia-headed CSAC in March 2008 after admitting his medical marijuana use in a pre-fight medical exam, but failing to present his California medical marijuana card.

Strikeforce President Scott Coker indicated Monday that Diaz was in the process of resolving the issue with the CSAC and that Coker has a backup plan for Hieron if Diaz isn’t denied a license. The CSAC has confirmed they’ve licensed The Ultimate Fighter alum “JT Money” Jesse Taylor (9-2) to replace Diaz, according to Sherdog.

Lithuanian “Whitemare” Marius Zaromskis (12-2) upset “Mach” Hayato Sakurai (32-9-3) and Jason High (7-2) both with fight-ending head kicks to win the Welterweight Grand Prix.

Returning to Japan after an odd stint in the WEC and returning to MMA after nine months off, Filho was rusty and lucky to exploit the chink that has resulted in three of Manhoef’s six losses: the armbar.

After eating murderous uppercuts and a left hook from the Dutch kickboxing champion, Filho slid into the fetal position in a corner of the ring and Manhoef followed. Filho may have been playing possum as he clammed up on his side and grasped for Manhoef’s wrists as Manhoef tried to sneak punches through Filho’s guard. But, Manhoef wisely stood out of the corner and invited Filho back to his feet.

Manhoef stalked Filho into the ropes, but a nifty hip toss from the clinch put Manhoef on his back with Filho passing from side mount to full mount swiftly. Filho secured Manhoef’s right arm and climbed his mount high on Manhoef’s chest before twisting into the armbar that left Manhoef slapping frantically to end the fight.

Filho won, but it should be noted that he missed weight for the second consecutive fight.

Wearing both trunks and matching leggings in the pattern of the Japanese flag, Aoki fended off Ribeiro, draped in Brazil’s colors, with an incessant left roundhouse kick to the body. Aoki threw little else, most were blocked, and a few were caught and countered with a stiff jab, straight, or single-leg takedown. But, the ones that landed left a red welt on “Shaolin’s” left rib cage, wearing on him and keeping him at bay. Midway into the second round, Riberio planted Aoki with a double-leg takedown, but the “Tobikan Judan” held on in adequate, if dull, defense for the judges’ unanimous decision.

Zaromskis went on a reckless, but effective tear through DREAM’s welterweight contenders, beginning with an almost inconcievable KO of Grand Prix favorite Sakurai. After walking through big punches and returning fire that left Sakurai with cuts over and under his left eye that required a doctor’s opinion, Zaromskis connected his left shin to Sakurai’s skull to move into the final versus High.

After handin Andre Galvao (3-1) his first loss in a split decisino, High crowded Zaromskis early in the final, taking him to the mat twice and controlling the grappling. But, after Zaromskis crawled to his feet, he struck like a scorpion with a right roundhouse kick that put High on his back, limp and unconcious.

Welterweight Katsunori Kikuno (6-0-1) TKO’d “Dida” Andre Amade (1-3) at 3:47 of round one. If Sakurai doesn’t secure a rematch with Zaromskis, Kikuno might step in to challenge the new DREAM champion.

The Ultimate Fighter alum “JT Money” Jesse Taylor (9-2) beat middleweight Dong Sik Yoon (2-7) by submission after Yoon injured his foot one minute into the first round.

Team Quest’s “Sponge” Tarec Saffiedine (2-0) won a two-round UD over Seichi Ikemoto (13-15-4) in the Welterweight Grand Prix reserve fight.

Taylor tapped Eric DaVila (14-9) in a rear naked choke at Shark Fight in Lubbock last May.

Yoon was TKO’d by Andrews Nakahara (2-0) at DREAM.6 in Saitama last September.

Perhaps Taylor’s most publicized win was against a rented limousine at the Palace Station Hotel in Las Vegas, which led to his dismissal from TUF’s seventh season and admission to Alcoholics Anonymous. Taylor has evidently remained sobor since.

“The Truth” Brandon Vera (9-2) def. Reese Andy (7-3) via unanimous decision (30-27; 30-27; 29-28).

“The Answer” Frank Edgar (9-1) def. Hermes Franca (18-7) via unanimous decision (30-27; 30-27; 30-27).

Cain Velasquez (4-0) def.  Jake O’Brien (10-2) via TKO, 2:02 of round one.

“The Fire” Kevin Burns (7-2) def. “Rumble” Anthony Johnson (5-2) via TKO, 3:35 of round three.

“Doberman” CB Dollaway (7-1) def. Jesse Taylor (6-3) via submission (Peruvian necktie), 3:58 of round one.

Timothy Credeur (10-2) def. Cale Yarbrough (0-1) via TKO (punches), 1:54 of round one.

Rory Markham (16-4) def. Brodie Farber (13-4) via KO (head kick), 1:37 of round one.

Nate Loughran (9-0) def. Johnny Rees (10-1) via submission (triangle), 4:21 of round one.

“Bad” Brad Blackburn (15-9-1) def. James Giboo (11-3) via TKO (strikes), 2:29 of round two.

Shannon Gugerty (11-2) def. Dale Hartt (5-1) via submission (rear naked choke), 3:33 of round one.

The wrestlers will meet at Fight Night on 19 July in Las Vegas.

Taylor was kicked off The Ultimate Fighter for drunken antics after the show wrapped.  He was to face Amir Sadollah (1-0) in the finale.

Dollaway was Taylor’s replacement after winning a fight-off with Tim Credeur (10-2), but lost the finale match via first round armbar to the new TUF champ Sadollah.

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.

But, business called on Wednesday night’s episode; and, both men looked to family and friends back home for some tear-jerking motivation.  (I promise I didn’t almost cry when Credeur was talking about his wife.)

Round one: Nah, let’s talk about Fighters.com’s eighth-ranked light heavyweight coach Forrest Griffin (15-4) first.

1. He can choke out ninth-ranked “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (16-3).

2. He can coach as good as anyone on the show thus far.

3. The man can play hoops.  And dunk!  Easily.

In a game of The Ultimate Fighter, Vegas’s version of H-O-R-S-E, Griffin pulled no punches when he slaughtered Fighters.com and UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (29-6), who confessed, “I suck at basketball.  I’m probably the world’s worst basketball player.  I don’t play basketball.  I kick ass.”

After Griffin won the 10G’s offered by apparent money bags UFC President Dana White, each fighter on his team socked away two grand themselves, thanks to the traditional $1000 offering being doubled after Jackson nailed (okay, he banked it…) a three-pointer when White challenged the gameless champ.

Okay, now round one.  Actually…let’s talk about getting drunk and peeing on carpet.

When one thinks of the phrase “cerebral fighter”, one will never, ever think of Jesse Taylor.

While the man is sculpted like a Greek statue in body, his thought patterns could easily be drawn out on an Etch-A-Sketch.  He pretty much goes in one or two directions.

He combined famous quotes and scripture and came up with sentences like these: “In prayer and in steed (yeah, not deed, like one might think)…A flock of seagulls, waiting, watching, yearning…On fight day all shall be destroyed.”

He said all the above while getting several “$” emblems buzzed into his hair.  They didn’t look like “$”, they looked more like ”p”.  But Jesse was happy with his new ‘do.

And when he got drunk, he ran very fast across furniture, not unlike a water-walking lizard.  He busted the top off a glass beer bottle and attempted to mouth it.  He stood on plush carpet and watched yellow urine puddle beneath him.

He had a great time, and, breaking tradition in the TUF house, didn’t destroy much or challenge nine or so other guys to a fight, and didn’t once say anything about a “Fatherless Bastard”.  He was very likable, even when soaked in his own waste and literally trying to drown himself in the hot tub.

Okay, seriously, round one:

It started as expected.  Jesse tackled Tim. 

Tim did basically two things the entire round: closed guard and use the butterfly guard.  When he was closed, he got pounded hard.  When he put Jesse on his shins, he put Jesse off balance and suffered less.

But, he usually had it closed, in spite of his corner politely telling him repeatedly, “Open up, Tim, butterfly guard.”  And he paid for it, by losing the round with Jesse hitting him with three dozen or so shots to the face.

Round two: It was a twin of the first, almost.

Credeur suddenly got sweeps, submission attempts, even took the bigger wrestler’s back, after taking his corner’s advice.  But, Jesse is a brute and had nothing of it.  He muscled his way out of every attempt, scrambled out of every bad position and ended the round on top.

Round three: It was a “must submit” for Credeur; and, he put Jesse high in the air several times with the butterfly guard.  He even attempted the rubber guard, but his limited flexibility betrayed him.  In short, he threw everything he had, even some wild monkey-esque punches from the bottom at the end.  But, Jesse stayed in the center of the veteran fighter and never slowed.

He pounded out the round and, sure enough, won his semi-final fight by unanimous decision.

In the preview of next week, we got to see Dana White viewing footage from a security camera and declaring that one of the fighters is “out of the finals and out of the UFC.”

Check out next week’s fight right here when Amir Sadollah (0-0) takes on “Doberman” CB Dollaway (6-0) in their own semi-final bout.

Two were slated for the chopping block on Wednesday night’s episode with the winners moving on toward the prize of a six-figure contract.

Dante Rivera (10-2) was pitted against Jesse Taylor (6-2).

Matt Brown (9-6) scrapped with lanky amateur Amir Sadollah (0-0).

With the quarter finals looming, a coin was flipped to assign the coaches to the four fighters.

Jesse and Amir had Forrest Griffin (15-4) backing them.

“Rampage” Quinton Jackson(29-6) cornerd Dante Rivera and Matt Brown.

Jesse, who confessed he enjoys dipping microwaved cheeseburgers in ranch dressing, put on the rubber suit and, like fighters have done for years when they need to cut weight…played Ping Pong?

By the time Jesse left for the hot tub, the table and floor were splattered with pools of sweat.

He was courteous enough to step away from the hot tub where he politely urinated in his shorts, claimed it “feels good on my leg”, splashed his feet in the yellow puddle, and jumped back into the water.

His opponent joined him soon after and soaked in Jesse’s waste, a sign of things to come.

Just before the Octagon door was shut, Jesse offered his last words: “Dante, I love you man, you’re a great guy, but I’m gonna have to kick your ass.”

Rivera had his eyes on the money.  “I’d like to put $10,000 in my pocket.”

The horn blared and, within seconds, Rivera threw a looping and slow hook.  Jesse easily ducked and the takedown was almost a gi’me.

The mat was pretty much where the fight stayed.  Again and again, Jesse threw punches, elbows, and hammer fists, most of which connected somewhere on Rivera’s head or body.

Rivera managed to pull guard, but it was for naught.  Jesse pounded out a winning round with Rivera attempting the occasional impotent submission.

Round two was a mirror image of round one.  Rivera threw an easy to see loop of a punch, Jesse ducked for the takedown.

“Get up,” was Rampage’s main chunk of advice.  “You ain’t doin’ nothin’ on your back.”

Grammar aside, Rampage was correct.  Rivera, clearly outsized by cheeseburger-loving Jesse, was frustrated and mostly flat on his back, his hips rarely raised for an easily thwarted offense.

Jesse pounded down strikes to end the round.

Dana White chimed in with a scowl about Dante’s seeming lack of skill or effort.  “And Jesse, he didn’t look like a world-beater either,” White said, not impressed with the decision win by Jesse.

The second fight was, of course, expected to be a stark contrast to the slow pace of the first.

Stark indeed.

Brown and Amir admitted they had become good friends while rooming together.

“If you’re going to lose, it’s better to lose to a friend than an enemy,” Amir said, sporting a black eye going into the match.  “I don’t think I’m gonna fold.  I don’t think…”

Forest commented on Amir’s apparent lack of confidence and dare I say it, even fear?

“It’s exactly the feeling every fighter has,” Forest said, laughing.  “He’s just sissy enough to vocalize it.”

Jackson believes if Brown was in Japan, he would be a Samurai.

“I think Matt was born to be a fighter.  He has a fighter spirit.  I have that same spirit,” Jackson said about the former “Team Brown Nose” fighter in his corner.

The first minute showcased excellent stand-up work from both men.  Amir, the rangier fighter, used foot jabs to keep distance.  Brown’s punches were tight and accurate, at least touching Amir with nearly every attempt.

Amir responded with classic Muay Thai technique while against the fence.  A hard knee crashed into the rib cage of Brown, near the liver.  Brown moans and sinks a little.  He showed why everybody believes he’s made of the right stuff by staying clinched.  That body shot that would have dropped lesser men.

Amir showed great takedown defense as Brown tried to wrestle him to the ground.  Off the cage, the two threw almost an equal number of strikes, with both fighters hitting with regularity, though Brown started to edge ahead when the horn ended the violent round.

Brown came out in round two like a man on fire, but Amir withstood the attack and mounted his own offense, chasing Brown and throwing a flying kick (sure, it didn’t land, but it made it into the preview last week).

The action slowed a little, to the level where most fights peak.  Brown landed a knee on Amir’s head from the clinch.  Amir responded with a foot jab to Brown’s face.

Amir grabbed a body lock and tripped Brown to the mat.  Amir worked into mount, got pushed to guard, and worked to mount again.  Brown, turning on his side and hipping into Amir, pulled guard again.

After this position exchange again, a scramble ensued with Brown landing on top.  Amir, with no professional fights on his record and a “striker”, slipped a triangle around Brown and the Cincinnati fighter tapped.

Amir and Jesse moved on to the quarter finals.

UFC President Dana White began this week’s The Ultimate Fighter episode explaining what many people have had on their minds since last week’s episode: Why didn’t the fight between Cale Yarbrough (0-0) and Patrick Schultz (5-1-1) go to a third round?

Simple.  Round two was scored 10-8 in favor of Yarbrough.

While Schultz has a legitimate beef, it was Fighters.com’s top-ranked light heavyweight “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (28-6) who took his aggression out on fifth-ranked light heavyweight Forrest Griffin (15-4), telling Griffin that there upcoming title fight won’t go to a decision.

Forrest then had what he referred to as a “man period”, smashing through one of the doors in the training center and shadow boxing while a very confused White was left to wonder exactly what was happening to his coaches.

Meanwhile, the remaining fight was set between “Doberman” CB Dollaway (6-0) and Nick Klein (4-0).

CB is a former All-American wrestler at Arizona State University and entered MMA because he lacked options after college wrestling.  His strength and skill have made him a dangerous fighter, as Rampage found out first hand.

After being mocked by Rampage for getting caught in a kneebar in practice, CB delivered a light kick to Rampage’s side, provoking his coach to strip off his socks and go toe-to-toe with CB.

Rampage shot for a double-leg takedown which CB turned into a guillotine choke, submitting the current UFC Light Heavyweight Champ.

While Klein had received praise from his coaches for his jiu-jitsu and all-around ability, he seemed to be a bit self-deprecating, referring to himself as the “weak link” on the team.

Back at the training center, Forrest found a way to release some of the tension he was carrying from Rampage’s earlier comments.

Griffin found a net gun and proceeded to shoot Rampage as he sat against the cage after a sparring session.

Rampage took it all in good spirits, seeming to be more concerned that his family saw him “get netted” on national television, than anything else.

As for the fight between CB and Nick, it was fast, intense, and technically advanced.

The fight opened with CB attempting a leg kick, which Nick caught and turned into a takedown.

CB rolled with the takedown and attempted a guillotine choke.  Nick escaped and turtled up.  CB rotated to the back, but made no attempts to sink his hooks in.  Nick went for a knee bar escape from turtle and almost sunk it before CB was able to twist free.  Nick countered by rolling to guard and attempting an arm bar, which CB muscled out of.

CB then began reigning down punches inside Klein’s open guard while attempting to pass to side control several times.  After finally passing Nick’s guard, CB maintained side control only for a moment as Nick was able to pull half-guard again and attempt another arm bar.

Once again, CB passed the guard and Nick rolled to turtle position.  CB continued to reign down punches, most of which landed on the back of Nick’s head, opening a small cut.

Again, Nick rolled to guard, attempting one final arm bar that failed just as time expired in the round.

Round two began with Nick coming out and working his jab.  CB countered with leg kicks that seemed to upset Nick.  So, Nick returned the leg kicks before attempting a few more jabs.  Then, to the dismay of his corner, Nick pulled guard and took the fight to the mat.

Nick was able to keep CB’s posture broken for a short time while he tried to land blows from the bottom; but, CB began to pass and Nick again rolled to turtle.  Klein then attempted another knee bar escape.

Unfortunately for Nick, CB seemed prepared this time and rolled with the attempt, ending up in guillotine position.  CB then pulled half-guard and sank the choke.  Nick was forced to tap out.

Winner by second-round guillotine choke submission: CB Dollaway

With the final preliminary fight out of the way, it was time for the semi-final match-ups to be set.

Fighters were called in one at a time and asked whom they would most like to fight.  Most fighters were ambivalent about their next opponent, except CB who only wanted to fight Cale.

Cale’s mocking comments had been piling up on CB and finally tipped the scale when Cale made a comment questioning CB’s sexuality and choice of sunglasses.

The semi-final match-ups were set:

Jesse Taylor (6-2) v Dante Rivera (10-2)

Amir Sadollah (0-0) v Matt Brown (9-6)

Daniel Cramer (0-0) v Tim Credeur (9-2)

CB Dollaway(6-0) v Cale Yarbrough (0-0)

CBS EliteXC Saturday Night Fights will be the North American broadcast television unveiling of our sport.

“This is more than a spectacular opportunity for Kimbo to be in front of a potential audience of 100-million plus eyeballs,” said EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw, also on Thursday.

“I think it sucks,” White concluded.  “Kimbo Slice isn’t a mixed martial arists.  This is a guy who was fighting in your back yard three months ago.  Now he’s headlining on CBS.”

For those behind White, the argument runs: MMA has gone from groin strikes to Unified Rules since UFC 1, from Kevin Rosier (2-6) to “Rush” Georges St. Pierre (16-2).  Kimbo Slice erases the last 15 years of the sport’s evolution.

How many years does Brock Lesnar (1-1) erase?  At least 12, back to the beginning of the powerful Hammer House era.

Lesnar headlines the UFC’s August card in Minneapolis versus Hammer House’s original “Hammer” Mark Coleman (15-8).

But, an argument that either Slice or Lesnar is going to convince the mainstream that MMA peaked in 1996 is misguided.

That’s what they already think.

We’re blinded inside the MMA bubble to the reality that Slice and Lesnar still represent what the mainstream thinks MMA is.

A backyard brawler or former pro wrestler sell tickets and PPV buys because that’s still the mainstream expectation of MMA.

Despite the last three years of North America  MMA eruption, the mainstream still considers MMA a blood-thirsty, no-holds-barred duel of brutes.

Few minds will be changed, but continued mainstream ignorance may be encouraged.  There’s still so many to educate about the sport.

Notes From Around MMA

* Last Wednesday on TAGG radio, “El Matador” Roger Huerta (20-1-1) became the latest UFC fighter to complain about his compensation, saying, “It’s kind of sad, you know, when the company comes out on the cover of Forbes, and then you definitely just know where all the money is going to. It’s kind of like, ‘What the hell?’”

* TUF 7 cast member Jesse Taylor (6-2) told the North County Times, “”Let’s just say I’m undefeated so far,” about his record on the SpikeTV reality competition show.

* When asked by Eastside Boxing what his most satisfying moment was, “Stitch” Jacob Duran said, “For MMA the most satisfying moment came during the Forrest Griffin/Mauricio Rua fight.  I was working Forrest’s corner during this fight when he received a lightning bolt gash on the center of his forehead.  It was a really bad cut and the fight was close to being stopped.  I managed to get it under control for about four minutes, and Forrest went out and submitted Rua.”  Fifth-ranked light heavyweight Forrest Griffin (15-4) thanked Duran with a card and gift certificate to an upscale restaurant.

* “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva (31-8-1) is urging UFC President Dana White to make a fight between UFC Welterweight Champion St. Pierre and UFC Middleweight Champion “Spider” Anderson Silva (21-4), the top-ranked welterweight and middleweight respectively.  “If Dana can make that fight, I’ll be in the line to buy a ticket,” Silva told Yahoo!Sports.

* “Techno Goliath” Hong Man Choi (1-1) was discharged from the South Korean military two days after reporting for mandatory service.  Officials cited Choi’s brain tumor pressing against his optic nerve as the reason for his dismissal.

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.

Next week, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (29-6) and Forrest Griffin (15-4) will be choosing fighters for their team.  Assuming you’ve watched the first two episodes, who would you choose?

Would you choose fighters who’re rough, but you think have a higher upside; or, fighters who’re already more complete?

Would you choose fighters with styles most like yours?  Or, would you try to fill out a well-rounded squad?

UFC President Dana White was right tonight when he stated, “There are no pussies here.”  The elimination round has held some of the best fights of any TUF season.

The episode opened with Dan Simmler (0-0) versus Mathew Riddle (0-0); and, Riddler came to battle.  He scored a sweet toss early and worked inside the jiu-jitsu fighter’s guard.  But, Riddle gassed shortly into round one and Simmler had the mo’ going into the second.

That mo’ was floored almost immediately in what “Rampage” called, “The gruesomest knockout I’ve ever seen.”

As Simmler launched a kick, Riddle decked him with a right hook, followed by two vicious hammerfists after Simmler hit the floor.

Simmler moaned for several minutes, then woke-up repeating, “Was this a real fight or practice?”  He was carried away by ambulance.

Brutal.  Riddle takes a bed.

In the next fight, Patrick Schultz (5-1-1) looked mean at the bell and piled on Cincinnatian Luke Zachrich (7-1); but, Zachrich woke-up after taking a few shots and rolled Schultz into a guillotine to take another bed.

Erik Charles (2-5) bragged before his fight with Timothy Credeur (9-2) that he was “one of the fastest guys out here.”  He was right!  Charles tapped out in a Credeur armbar quicker than any other fighter in the competiton.  Credeur takes a bed.

In highlights, “Mohawk” Brandon Sene (2-0) beat Aaron Meisner (2-0) by rear naked choke.

Gerald Harris (6-2) was all over Mike Marrello (7-1-1) with G’n'P for a unanimous decision. 

Jeremiah Riggs (1-0) “put Mississippi on the map”, but Daniel Cramer (0-0) put “Mississippi” on the mat for a first-round G’n'P TKO.

Jesse Taylor (6-2) had a quick night taking down, mounting, and wrapping Nick Rossborough  (8-3) in a rear naked choke submission.

Finally, Cincinnatian Matt Brown (5-6) weathered the early pressure of wrestler Josh Hall (1-2), who escaped two tight triangle chokes only to succumb to a G’n'P stoppage.

My team picks, in alphabetical order:

Matt Brown
Timothy Credeur
CB Dollaway
Gerald Harris
Nick Klein
Matthew Riddle
Dante Rivera
Cale Yarbrough