TUF 10 Episode 9 Recap: Chicken Prank

If MMA fans weren't able to pull themselves away from Modern Warfare 2 (I know I need an intervention) here's a quick recap of the ninth episode of The Ultimate Fighter.

The episode begins right where we left off. Team Rashad has seven fighters in the quarterfinals while Team Rampage only has one. Rashad gathers his team up and informs them that the coaches won't be cornering their bouts, as to avoid favoritism, and that the fights are on them.

As Team Rashad is driving back to the TUF house Matt Mitrione begins to become woozy and feel light headed. At the house the dizziness continues and  Mitrione begins dry heaving in the bathroom. Brendan Schaub believes that Matt suffered a concussion in his last bout. With the question of whether Mitrione will be able to fight all eyes turn to Kimbo Slice as a possible replacement.

The next segment focuses solely on the story of how much Kimbo has improved as a fighter since entering the house and how the Team Rampage coaches really want him to come back. Rashad also tows the company line saying that he would be excited if Kimbo came back.

Since Rampage fighters were steamrolled in the competition Rampages has resorted to pranks in order to save face. The latest edition of a Rampage prank features the Team Rampage coaches placing chickens (Rampage called them cocks) in the cars of the Team Rashad coaches. Rashad and company have a good laugh but as they open the cars the chickens escape. For some reason Team Rashad chases the chickens around the parking lot much to the delight of Rampage. Once the chicks are rounded up the joke is flipped on Rampage as the Team Rashad coaches rent new and nicer cars. Sorry Rampage better luck next time.

When Matt Mitrione returns from the hospital he appears to be a little spaced out and the whole house is anxious to know if Matt is out and if Kimbo is back in.

That night Dana White arrives at the house to have a little chit chat with Matt Mitrione to see if he will fight. Mitrione immediately says yes he intends to fight. But the conversation continues centering around a possible concussion (Matt was a former football player and we all know how crazy concussions are in football). In the end, Mitrione will require a doctor's clearance in order to fight. So there is nothing definitive about Matt's injury, which means expect more teasers of "is Kimbo back?" from Spike.

Back at the gym the conversation switches to Roy Nelson and Justin Wren who just happen to be fighting this episode. Who knew?

After a quick preview from Dana White --where he bashes Roy, what else is new?-- and the rest of the cast it is off to the fight. Since there are twenty-two minutes left in the show this one looks like a two rounder.

The first round begins with Justin Wren immediately taking the center of the Octagon and he throws a few jabs. Nelson responds with his own jab. Wren tries to bull rush Roy while throwing a combo. The first attempt fails but the second attempt appears more successful as several punches landed. However, Nelson is able to clinch and then begins to work underhooks but is unable to transition. The referee breaks the clinch and it is back to trading jabs. Once again Wren rushes Roy while throwing punches and again several land. They break and Wren lands another hard punch. Nelson appears to realize he is losing the round and begins to throw more punches. Roy's jabs are crisper compared to Wren's looping punches but with eighty seconds left Nelson appears to have lost round one. Wren land s another looping punch but Nelson's jabs are beginning to make Wren keep his distance. With ten seconds left Wren rushes forward again.

Roy Nelson is down a round going into round two. Nelson throws out his left hand fainting a jab. Wren attacks with a wild left hook but Roy is unscathed. Wren lands an overhand right followed by a leg kick. Nelson doesn't have the sense of urgency he needs right now and appears content with exchanging punches. Wren pushes forward again landing several body shots this time while Roy counters with a straight right. Justin Wren shoots for a double leg but it is quickly stuffed. Wren looks to clinch but receives a punch or two and quickly backs off. Again Wren pushes forward and clinches with Roy along the cage. They break and Nelson throws two power punches but Wren covers up. Nelson throws a combination but Wren answers with one of his own. It is a close second round with sixty seconds left. Nelson lands several flush jabs. With thirty seconds there is no clear winner. Wren pushes forward and clinches with Nelson along the cage.

We have to wait and see if there will be a third round. But the referee informs each corner that the fight is over. It doesn't look good for "Big Country."

Roy Nelson via Justin Wren via majority decision (20-18, 19-19, 20-18).

Wow. That was a shocker. WKR thought that Wren won round one and round two was very close. But hey crappy judging.

Dana White voices some outrage and then my DVR recording craps out.