Another week, and Team Mayhem Miller was still on top with the victories! Team Bisping needed to get it together in terms of training and team cohesion. With Team Miller in control of the fights, the mole from that team, John Dodson, informed Team Bisping of the next pick. So Team Bisping started early preparations with Stephen Bass, who was expected to be chosen by Miller.
Bass’s training session with Bisping went as planned; it was intense, and Bass received a black eye from Bisping. However, when it was fight announcement time, everyone showed up from both teams, except for Michael Bisping. Bisping’s team acted like it was no big deal, but Dodson thought it was, and that they were disappointed inside. “Mayhem” Miller introduced the featherweight fight: Dennis Bermudez (7-2) from his team, taking on Team Bisping’s Stephen Bass (10-0).
Bermudez, a wrestler skilled with striking, instilled in Miller the confidence of another victory for his team. Bermudez’s training went really well, and he was especially hungry for a win, since he had lost his previous two fights. Bass also felt strong and ready for the fight.
Round 1 began with both fighters coming out striking to find each other’s range, throwing combinations at each other. As Bermudez attempted a takedown, both coaches yelled out instructions, and both fighters struggled for control, with Bermudez on top.Bermudez ended up standing over Bass, pouring on punches as Bass defended himself. Eventually Bass pulled Bermudez down and wrapped his legs around Bermudez while Bermudez continued throwing strikes. Bermudez ended securing Bass’s back, but just continued to throw strikes. Bass was barely defending himself when the first round ended.
In Round 2 Bass looked desperate when he came out. Both fighters threw a few punches until Bermudez pushed Bass against the fence and landed a Thai knee right to Bass’s face! Bass dropped to the ground, and Bermudez started a flurry of strikes, but Bass got ahold of Bermudez leg and attempted an ankle lock…but he lacked the energy to exert any real pressure, so both fighters returned to their feet. Bermudez pressed Bass against the cage and dropped him to the ground, where Bermudez brought on the punches, climbing on Bass’s back before holding him down and continuing to strike. Bass looked tired, and Bermudez alternated strikes and submissions until the referee stopped the fight.
Another victory for Team Miller! Bisping was upset with another loss, especially since it was due to his fighter not listening to instructions and deviating from the plan. The next fight announcement came from the Bantamweight division: Team Miller’s Dustin Pague (10-4) vs. Team Bisping’s Louis Gaudinot (5-1).
Miller didn’t care if Bisping knew the match ups ahead of time. “They better train harder to win a fight, but kind of tough without a coach,” exclaimed Miller. Training time for Dustin Pague went well, but training time for Bisping’s team do not go as well. Stephen Bass partially blamed Bisping for his loss because Bisping went too hard on him during practice, while Bisping said that he didn’t stick to the game plan, and they hashed that all out in front of the team. However Bisping was able to have a productive training session with Louis Gaudinot, who was Bisping’s #1 pick. Bisping was confident that Louis would win his fight.
In Round 1, Pague, with a significant height and reach advantage, came out throwing strikes, while Louis, with his dyed green hair, used his strength advantage to get inside with uppercuts. Pague tripped Louis, but decided to stand back up, so Louis scrambled back to his feet as well, and resumed exchanging punches and kicks. Pague even got in a few knees to Louis’s face from the Muy Thai clinch, but Louis is a tough firecracker!
Pague pinned Louis to the fence and fired another knee. Eventually, both fighters were moved to the center of the cage — away from the cage — and the two fighters resumed swapping strikes. Pague once again forced Louis against the cage and added more knees from the Thai clinch. Louis was quite resilient for a 5’3″ fighter giving up so much height to his opponent; he struck back, and both guys did not stop swinging until the bell rang.
In Round 2 both guys started out with strikes, each intent on winning the fight right at the outset. Pague tried to hold Louis against the cage, but Louis punched and kicked his way out of Pagues’ controlling grip. Pague would not let go, though, and threw a knee that brought Louis down to the ground. After a few seconds of ground work, both fighters were back on their feet, with Louis controlling Pague against the fence this time. The position was quickly reversed, however, when Pague tripped Louis back to the ground. As blood started dripping from Louis’s face to the mat, Pague attempted a rear naked choke. Louis was able to break free from the submission attempt, but Pague attempted another submission, this time holding Louis’s back. Louis was forced to tap.
Team Miller’s Dustin Pague defeated Team Bisping’s Louis Gaudinot via RNC, giving Team Miller their 4th victory. Louis fought very tough, and Bisping was proud of him.
On next week’s show, Miller discovers the mole from his team, and tries to use him for Miller’s benefit. Also, rage ignites between Miller and Bisping! Please tune in to Spike TV on Wednesday night at 9pm EST, or catch up weekly with me on MMA Ratings.
