Episode No. 8 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter: Live'
A quick recap of the previous week's episode opens the seventh episode of "The Ultimate Fighter: Live" and includes Vince Pichel's gutsy win over John Cofer in sudden victory. This week's fight features Team Cruz's No. 2 pick Sam Sicilia versus Team Faber's last-picked, Chris Saunders. Sicilia earned a quick knockout in his elimination fight but has since struggled in the gym. Saunders, on the other hand, has blossomed in the gym, earning high marks from coach Faber.
The episode begins with Pichel, who feels like he's just climbed Mount Everest (and can still breathe). Cruz praises him for exploiting Cofer's cardio by turning up the pace in sudden death. In the opposing team's locker room, Cofer is devastated for his late-fight lapse and feels he could have given more. He can't get through his producer-led "I'll be back" speech without breaking down. Faber attempts to inject some humor into the locker room and fails.
With that, we jump to training for the impending fight, and there's an "Ultimate Fighter" first. A pretty, muscular blonde walks into the Ultimate Training Center: Ronda Rousey. The Olympic judoka there at the invitation of Cruz to teach the boys a few things about throws for MMA.
"She almost broke my damn ribs."
"She's bad."
"Badass."
"Beast."
This the feedback on Rousey from Team Cruz, who toss each other around like training dummies as Rousey looks on. After training, Faber and Cruz flex for damsel Rousey outside the training center.
The cast, however, does exactly the opposite when Rousey shows up to the house to watch UFC 145. She's, like, a girl, and she's in the house. The guys don't know how to act. So they don't. Hardly anybody talks to her, and when everyone convenes in front of the TV, Rousey is sitting on an island of couch unto herself. Not even when she says she's craving salted nuts is an off-color joke offered. Chick magnet Faber, for one, thinks the boys blew it.
As expected, both teams are beginning to go stir-crazy. Chris Tickle doctors the faucet to spray water on unsuspecting users. Mike Rio's chapstick is superglued to his nightstand. Which is cool because if anyone messes with his hair, there will be blood.
Meanwhile, Saunders talks about his difficult childhood, which includes several stints in foster homes. Sicilia talks about his on-again, off-again start with this sport and his rebirth within the past year, a guns-blazing scheduled that saw him fight as many as three times in one month. Cruz notes that Sicilia finished his training partner in the elimination round and immediately got his attention. Gameplanning in the gym, Cruz tells him to push the wrestling and keep a high pace so Saunders can't set up with his kicks.
Cut to a Faber training session, and the original "Alpha Male" decides to make Cruz's dressing room his workout area. He and the coaches clear out the furniture and turn it into the world's smallest 24-Hour Fitness, pumping away in a frenzy of circuit-training and ball work and pushups. Oh yeah, and in their underwear. Faber hopes a little piece (or smell) of him will be forever stuck on Cruz, who just shakes his head in disgust when he discovers the mildly homoerotic scene.
And then it's time to fight.
TEAM CRUZ'S SAM SICILIA (10-0) VS. TEAM FABER'S CHRIS SAUNDERS (9-2)
Round 1 - Immediately, Saunders threatens with a kick, and Sicilia presses in with a punch and knee before smothering Saunders against the cage. Saunders replies with knees to the body and reverses position briefly. Not much doing when Sicilia breaks off with a wide bolo. Sicilia charges in with punches but isn't landing the big shot and Saunders takes him down. Silica pops right back up and briefly trips Saunders to the mat. Saunders is back up and working knees against the fence. They break, and Saunders leads with a Superman punch that misses. A kick to the leg doesn't though, and then Saunders catches Sicilia flush with a kick to the head. Sicilia pitches forward but wakes up when he hits the canvas. Saunders is all over him but can't land the finishing blow, and Sicilia recovers and charges back with a flurry of punches. But he quickly tires and pushes Saunders against the fence. He briefly deposits Saunders on the mat, but again, Saunders pops up.
With less than a minute to go, Sicilia lands a big right and drops Saunders briefly, attempting unsuccessfully to cinch a guillotine in the scramble up. Saunders escapes, and they again trade with Sicilia landing another big shot before the bell. MMAjunkie.com scores the round 10-9 for Saunders.
Round 2 - Both men look fresh again, and Sicilia opens with another volley of punches. Saunders evades and works the jab. Sicilia missing with big punches. Saunders attacks the leg. Sicilia backs him up and lands a body kick. Sicilia lands a nice right counter and a combination. He pulls back before working the takedown, and Sicilia lands a big left hand that hurts Saunders. Sicilia can't land the big shot again. they clinch, and Saunders reverses to his back. He can't keep things there, and before you know it, Sicilia is throwing another volley of punches. They clinch again, and Sicilia gets the takedown. But Saunders reverses, and he has back mount. Sicilia turns into guard, and escapes. Sicilia drops Saunders with a big left hand, but in the ensuing scramble, it's Saunders on top. An exhausting fight for both. Saunders lands a big elbow and takes the back when Sicilia tries to escapee. Sicilia turns out of it again and Saunders gets to his feet. Sicilia lands another huge punch and looks for the big bomb while Saunders tries to box as the final bell rings. Close round, but MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Sicilia.
Judges call it for Saunders by split decision.
Chris Saunders def. Sam Sicilia via split decision
UFC president Dana White reveals the final fight of the reality show tournament's quarterfinal, which pits Andy Ogle against Mike Rio.
White notes he had Sicilia and Saunders going to a third round.
