This season of The Ultimate Fighter welcomed newcomers from the featherweight and bantamweight divisions to the UFC. 32 fighters competed for the chance to advance into the infamous house in Las Vegas, and proved to be not only experienced and well-rounded fighters, but producers of really good fights as well. No lack of talent or excitement with this lineup! And to make this TUF season more interesting, the occasionally controversial coaches Michael Bisping (22-3-0 ) and Jason “Mayhem” Miller ( 24-7-0-1NC) were thrown into the mix.
With two different weight classes and so many fighters, they got to the first fight of the evening without delay. The first fight featured bantamweights Josh Ferguson (7-3) and Casey Dyer (5-1), and Ferguson walked through Dyer with a KO in 15 seconds! No time to blink! The next fight was featherweight time, with Diego Bandao (13-7) vs. Jesse Newell (6-1). Round 1 started out with some striking by Newell, but Bandao threw Newell to the ground, and dove in with a flying punch on Newell to score the knockout victory.
Bantamweights John Dodson (11-5) and Brandon Merkt (11-0) provided the evening’s next fight. Round 1 began with some striking from both guys to establish range, including some leg kicks. Once Merkt got comfortable, however, Dodson began his attack with a liver shot, and subsequently scored a knockout win.
From there, it was time for featherweight action. Dennis Bermudez (7-2) took on Jimmie Rivera (8-1). Round one featured a lot of striking and pushing by the fighters, as both proved to be powerful guys. Rivera, a strong wrestler, was all over Bermudez’s back, taking the position twice in the first round. Round 2 began with both coming out striking, but then it was reversal time, as Bermudez grabbed Rivera’s back, punching and hammer-fisting Rivera’s face until the referee stepped in for the stoppage. Bermudez won his place in the house, and his stint on the show continued.
At bantamweight, BJ Ferguson (brother of Josh from the first fight of the night) (6-2) faced Roland Delorme (6-2), from Canada. Round 1 began with Delorme snatching the neck of Ferguson quickly, then dropping to the ground with Ferguson on top. After the fighters got back to their feet, Delorme again got Ferguson back to the ground, attempting submissions until he was able to finish Ferguson with a triangle choke.
Next were featherweights Marcus Brinage (3-1) and Bryson Wailehua-Hansen (6-1). Both fighters started with the usual feeling-out process of striking, until Hansen shoved Brinage against the cage, transitioning into a takedown. Brinage was impressive on his back, constantly moving and striking, while Hansen, the native Hawaiian, attempted to position himself for chokes. After both men reached their feet, the more powerful and less fatigued Brinage chased Hansen around the cage for the rest of the round. In Round 2, Brinage came out striking, getting the better of Hanson, who could not defend himself. The fight was stopped, and Brinage walked away as the victor.
In the bantamweight division, Carson Beebe (6-1) and Johnny Bedford (17-9-1) squared off. Carson is the younger brother of WEC ex-champion Chase Beebe. In Round 1, Bedford came out dominant and controlling, as both fighters showcased their grappling. Bedford tried a choke, but Beebe wanted nothing to do with it. Beebe tried a choke as well, but Bedford returned to his feet and the fight continued as a striking battle. Bedford benefited from his longer reach and experience advantage, before working Beebe to the ground and finishing him with a submission. Slightly surprisingly, Beford was victorious.
Next, bantamweight fighters Dustin Pague (10-4) faced Tateki Matsuda (6-2). Matsuda, the only fighter ever from Japan on the TUF show, now trains in Boston, MA. In Round 1, both fighters showed off their striking until Pague was able to get Matsuda to the ground. After a rear naked choke attempt by Pague, Matsuda was able to escape, and the round finished with both men on their feet. In Round 2, Matsuda threw some impressive strikes before Pague countered, and took the fight to the ground. After a grappling stalemate, they were able to work their way back to a standing position…but then ended up back on the ground, with Matsuda on his back. However, Matsuda landed a sweet up-kick to Pague’s face, and other strikes from the bottom, as the round concluded. However, at the end of Round 2, the judges rendered a decision, and named as the winner.
Scottish bantamweight fighter Paul McVeigh (18-6) took on Louis Gaudinot (5-1). In Round 1, both fighters showcased punching combinations coupled with leg kicks, as neither fighter could gain a clear advantage. In Round 2 Gaudinot seemed to wake up, and dominated the round with precision striking and power. However,the decided a 3rd round was necessary, so Gaudinot again proved he had superior striking, finishing the round with Ground and Pound on top of McVeigh. The decision was a mere formality.
Next up were the featherweights Eric Marriot (4-0-1) and Bryan Caraway (15-5). After 2 rounds of fighting, Bryan Caraway won by decision. Next, featherweights Josh Clopton (4-0-1) and Dustin Neace (22-17-1) battled, and Dustin Neace was the victor by decision.
Bantamweights Matt Jaggers (20-7) and TJ Dillashaw (4-0) fought next. Round 1 started with both guys feeling for range with strikes, and though Jaggers showed he had the longer reach, both fighters were grapplers. Dillashaw showed strength with an easy takedown of Jaggers, and produced some Ground and Pound action from the mounted position. After both guys got back to standing, Dillashaw landed some body kicks to soften Jaggers up, and then got Jaggers to the ground again for Ground and Pound, knocking out Jaggers for the win.
The next contest featured featherweights: Steven Siler (17-6) vs. Micah Miller (17-4). In this fight, Miller, an ex-WEC fighter, entered as the favorite, so much so that Dana White actually crossed out Siler on his fighter worksheet. In Round 1 both guys exhibited their long reaches, as Siler showed he was up for standing with the favorite, Miller. Round 2 was clearly won by Miller due to his submission attempt. The judges decided another round was necessary, and surprisingly, Siler won with a guillotine choke submission. Dana White and the coaches were left speechless.
The fight between bantamweight fighters John Albert (6-1-0) and Orville Smith (11-3-0) was over quickly; John Albert was the victor with RNC in Round 1. Featherweights Stephen Bass (10-0-0) and Karsten Lenjoint (7-1-0) settled their business quickly as well; in Round 1, Bass secured a triangle choke for the win. And lastly, the featherweight division showcased Brian Pearman (7-1-0) vs. Akira Corassani (9-3-0) from Sweden. Round 1 featured sharp striking and power movements from both fighters, but Pearman, a wrestler, managed a D’Arce choke attempt, and later gained side control. After both guys fought to their feet, they went back and forth with strikes until Akira revved his engine and started teeing off on Pearman with punches and knees until he scored the knockout win.
The 14th season of The Ultimate Fighter got off to an amazing start, and Dana White was really impressed. He congratulated the remaining 16 fighters (8 Featherweights and 8 Bantamweights) who won their places in the house, and into the competition to become the next Ultimate Fighter. It will undoubtedly continue to get interesting with all of the fighters again sequestered in one house, fueled by testosterone, stress, alcohol, and the will to win. Anything can happen!
