TUF 5: Last night's fights were exciting. Corey Hill, the 6'5" 155lb. college wrestler who came on the show with very little experience basically tossed around Nate Diaz like a rag doll for most of the first round before using the double leg take down to put his opponent on the mat. His inexperience caused him to get caught in a triangle choke and he tapped. Diaz, who was lucky he kept his head and used his jiu-jitsu, pulled out the victory but didn't look good doing it. His striking was surprisingly weak and I think if Hill would have unloaded and had better GnP he would have beat the Stockton native.
The second fight was between "Handsome" Matt Wiman-who has fought in the UFC already by the way-and little "Manny" ( Manvel Gambaryan), Karo Parisyan's cousin. Manny was the underdog, mainly because he's 5'6"! Dana White said he looks like he's 5'3" though when he's out there. Wiman, on the other hand, has shown good strikes in the past and a decent ground game. Manny came out and put the smack down. Like a little ball of muscle, he would unload strikes when the two broke out of the clinch and took Wiman down repeatedly. He didn't due a ton of damage with his GnP, but he did cut Wiman and he wore him down. At one point Wiman took his back, but he was able to wizard himself out. The fight went the full two rounds and the judges unanimously awarded little Manny the decision. Wiman was pissed and his coach, BJ Penn, criticized him for not looking at where he was punching and for not working more actively from the bottom.
So next week's matchups are the semi-finals. After next week we'll know who's fighting on the 23rd. Now remember, these fights all happened many months ago, but we don't know who won because they all signed NDAs. So the fight on the 23rd is live and will include the final fight, the coaches fight, and other fights. It's basically a "UFC FIGHT NIGHT" like the one happening this next week but it showcases the TUF 5 guys for the $200,000 ($100,000 UFC contract AND $100,000 Xyience contract).
So, as a reminder, there are THREE events coming up during the next two weeks:
First off, Next Wednesday night (June 13th) we're going to watch UFC FIGHT NIGHT (the free event that takes place once every two months or so, live from the Hard Rock..it's the same deal as the last time all of us got together at my place). The event actually takes place on Tuesday night, but because of work and family, we're going to record it and watch it on Wed. June 13th @ 8PM at my place. Just like last time, I am not going to find out any of the results so that it's a surprise to me (and you?). Check out the CARD HERE.
Second, SATURDAY NIGHT, JUNE 16th, is UFC 72. I will be out that night so I am not planning on watching the fight live. There are some great match ups, including a huge middleweight bout between Franklin and Okami and the come back for Forrest Griffin. Walter, if you get this you better DVR it!
Then, as I mentioned previously, the TUF 5 finale is SATURDAY June 23rd in the evening. I'm planning on watching it at my place, so come by!
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