Sherdog.com’s Guide to the “Ultimate Fighter”
Scott Holmes Nov 2, 2005
Somehow I missed the announcement that Spike would air the last two
semifinal fights Tuesday. Sorry about that, sometimes I don't know
my T.U.F. episodes from my UFC Unleashed and Fight Nights.
Monday night Rashad Evans (Pictures) put on quite a show and sidetracked Keith Jardine (Pictures)'s Octagon plans. Tuesday all the loose ends were tied up as Joe Stevenson (Pictures) faced off with Jason Von Flue and Seth Petruzelli (Pictures) took on the goliath Brad Imes (Pictures).
Jason Von Flue entered the show as an alternate when Josh Burkman (Pictures) was injured back early on; now
Jason was two fights away from getting a UFC contract. There was
worry that he wouldn't be able to fight due to the cut on his
forehead. The doctor, however, took a look at the injury and gave
him the green light.
Jason's a different type of fighter. He's real wiry and fights a little spastically and at weird angles. Jason would need to stay combative and a little wild if he wanted to get past Joe Stevenson (Pictures).
The first round began with both men calm and focused. For the first few minutes they both felt each other out but stayed busy. Both men landed the occasional punch or kick but neither did any damage. Well not any serious damage — Von Flue has almost no body fat so every time he gets grazed he looks like a shovel hit him.
With a couple of minutes left Joe realizes he's got a cut on his face and decides to change the game. He takes Jason to the fence and puts him on his back. Once on the ground Stevenson is in clear control and is able to get the mount and lands some hard shots on Jason's face. Jason rolls over and Joe works for the back. Once Jason starts squirming Joe is able to set up and get an armbar with seconds left to go in the first round.
Joe knocks off Jason Von Flue and puts himself in the finals to face Luke Cummo.
Next up is Seth Petruzelli (Pictures) against 6' 7” Brad Imes (Pictures). Everyone claims that Seth is a giant killer and that his experience will match well with the colossal Imes. Listen, nothing ever matches well with 6' 7 except for maybe an elephant gun.
Seth has beaten bigger men before with his speed and he seems to be a pretty tactical fighter. In the first round of this fight he comes out strong with devastating leg kicks. Imes' lead leg is hit hard early and often. The bruises and welts show up and Imes has trouble standing on it.
Imes has quite a reach and occasionally he'll bull rush Seth backwards and throw some straights down the pike. Seth picks his shots and pops Brad several times. Brad ends up on his back during a scramble and finishes the last minute on his back kicking out at Seth's knees.
In the second round Imes comes back at Seth but ends up on his back where things turn out to be in his favor. With his length Imes is able to keep Seth more on his stomach and gives himself room to swing.
Brad's able to get off some great elbows and short punches. Seth has a hard time being able to posture to get any distance between himself and Imes. Imes does a great job of holding Seth close and once Seth does get back on his feet he opts to fall back into Imes' thorny guard.
The final round is all Brad Imes (Pictures)’. This time he ends up on top of Petruzelli and is able to keep him against the fence and out of position to fight effectively. Imes has been breathing hard the whole fight but his motor never stops. He stays busy by punching and elbowing Seth throughout the rest of the round. Brad punches hard and even pops the cauliflower right out of Seth's ear. I thought he'd busted his grape!
Seth fought tough but not as wise as he could have. Nobody could have said it better than Brad himself: "I wanted it and I took it." Now Brad is in the finals with Rashad.
It's cool that the two guys picked last for the teams (Cummo and Imes) are in the finals. What makes this season better is that the two guys actually fought and earned their way in which should garner some real respect.
I really like these finals between both weight classes. Not so much because they all match up well but because I know at least all four guys are going to show up and fight their asses off. So moms you can release your daughters for one night since I'll be staying home on Saturday.
Monday night Rashad Evans (Pictures) put on quite a show and sidetracked Keith Jardine (Pictures)'s Octagon plans. Tuesday all the loose ends were tied up as Joe Stevenson (Pictures) faced off with Jason Von Flue and Seth Petruzelli (Pictures) took on the goliath Brad Imes (Pictures).
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Jason's a different type of fighter. He's real wiry and fights a little spastically and at weird angles. Jason would need to stay combative and a little wild if he wanted to get past Joe Stevenson (Pictures).
Stevenson is pretty much the pick of the litter when it comes to
the welterweights. He is shorter than Jason but he's great at the
basics and has all the tools to dominate. His ground game would be
a great advantage against a taller fighter who can throw.
The first round began with both men calm and focused. For the first few minutes they both felt each other out but stayed busy. Both men landed the occasional punch or kick but neither did any damage. Well not any serious damage — Von Flue has almost no body fat so every time he gets grazed he looks like a shovel hit him.
With a couple of minutes left Joe realizes he's got a cut on his face and decides to change the game. He takes Jason to the fence and puts him on his back. Once on the ground Stevenson is in clear control and is able to get the mount and lands some hard shots on Jason's face. Jason rolls over and Joe works for the back. Once Jason starts squirming Joe is able to set up and get an armbar with seconds left to go in the first round.
Joe knocks off Jason Von Flue and puts himself in the finals to face Luke Cummo.
Next up is Seth Petruzelli (Pictures) against 6' 7” Brad Imes (Pictures). Everyone claims that Seth is a giant killer and that his experience will match well with the colossal Imes. Listen, nothing ever matches well with 6' 7 except for maybe an elephant gun.
Seth has beaten bigger men before with his speed and he seems to be a pretty tactical fighter. In the first round of this fight he comes out strong with devastating leg kicks. Imes' lead leg is hit hard early and often. The bruises and welts show up and Imes has trouble standing on it.
Imes has quite a reach and occasionally he'll bull rush Seth backwards and throw some straights down the pike. Seth picks his shots and pops Brad several times. Brad ends up on his back during a scramble and finishes the last minute on his back kicking out at Seth's knees.
In the second round Imes comes back at Seth but ends up on his back where things turn out to be in his favor. With his length Imes is able to keep Seth more on his stomach and gives himself room to swing.
Brad's able to get off some great elbows and short punches. Seth has a hard time being able to posture to get any distance between himself and Imes. Imes does a great job of holding Seth close and once Seth does get back on his feet he opts to fall back into Imes' thorny guard.
The final round is all Brad Imes (Pictures)’. This time he ends up on top of Petruzelli and is able to keep him against the fence and out of position to fight effectively. Imes has been breathing hard the whole fight but his motor never stops. He stays busy by punching and elbowing Seth throughout the rest of the round. Brad punches hard and even pops the cauliflower right out of Seth's ear. I thought he'd busted his grape!
Seth fought tough but not as wise as he could have. Nobody could have said it better than Brad himself: "I wanted it and I took it." Now Brad is in the finals with Rashad.
It's cool that the two guys picked last for the teams (Cummo and Imes) are in the finals. What makes this season better is that the two guys actually fought and earned their way in which should garner some real respect.
I really like these finals between both weight classes. Not so much because they all match up well but because I know at least all four guys are going to show up and fight their asses off. So moms you can release your daughters for one night since I'll be staying home on Saturday.
