TUF 10 Episode 8 Recap: Will it be a Sweep?

The big question going into the eighth episode of The Ultimate Fighter is whether or not Team Rampage can avoid the clean sweep.

But Spike decided it was a better idea to begin by recapping the Mitrione-Junk fight from the previous episode.

Since the fight was borderline unwatchable Spike decided to use a montage of footage almost exclusively from the first round. Yet, it still can't wash the bad taste out of this fight fans mouth.

In the aftermath of the fight we get to see Rampage destroy the door again. Dana White makes some snide comments about how cheap the set gym is and Rashad calls Rampage a "clown" once again taking aim at Jackson's commitment to his team and the show.

Back at the house we see that Scott Junk's left eye is almost swollen shut and his skin is several different shades of black and blue. Say what you will about the quality of the fight but Mitrione had to land some serious power shots to cause those injuries.

TUF 10 joker, Wes Sims, decides to throw Matt Mitrione a victory party. Unfortunately Mitrione is asleep but that doesn't stop Wes, who wakes up Matt with a broadside of silly string.

Back at the gym Rampage bemoans his team's 0-7 record and talks about focusing all his energy on helping Marcus Jones win his fight.

We return from the commercial break to witness Marcus Jones screaming like a girl due to a spider on the floor of his room. Jones describes the beast as a spider-scorpion-"leviathon" hybrid. I think Jones may have seen the trailer of Avatar one too many times as it was just a spider. After some good-natured teasing its back to more serious things, like Jones' opponent Mike Wessel.

Wessel tells us about his wife who has recently undergone surgery for cancer. The strain of being separated from his wife during such a difficult time is visible on Wessel's face. Mike also tells us about his last fight where he lost to Antoni Hardonk at UFC 92.

During Marcus Jones training session we learn a little bit more about his NFL career and his attitude towards MMA. Jones says that he is an absolute student of MMA and gleefully responds with childish laughter every time he learns something new. That enthusiasm doesn't change the fact that Marcus is an extremely green fighter.

At the house Brendan Schaub, of Team Evans, draws some colorful pictures of Marcus and a team member writes "sucks balls" onto one of the pictures. When Marcus Jones sees the picture he is not pleased. Later we find out that Jones' upcoming opponent, Mike Wessel, wrote "suck balls."

Marcus continues to take umbrage over the matter as no one steps up to admit the transgression.

At the gym Quinton Jackson tries to make up with "Titties" who is otherwise known as Darill Schoonover. But "Rampage" takes it a step too far when he grabs Schoonover's titties, which sets off another confrontation. After some chest thumping Team Rashad quickly corrals their fighter and there is no harm done.

After the weigh-ins and a short commercial break it is time for the fight.

Marcus Jones takes the center of the cage while Mike Wessel throws and overhand right and immediately clinches with the bigger Jones. Marcus pushes Wessel off and again Mike attempts to clinch but this time he attempts a single leg sweep. Jones counters the takedown and works on Wessel's back getting both under hooks in. Mike spins into Marcus' guard but Jones transitions to an armbar and Wessel verbally submits. 

Marcus Jones def. Mike Wessel via submission (armbar) - Round 1, 0:50.

Team Rampage avoids the clean sweep and they move up to an unimpressive 1-7 in the preliminary fights. 

Dana White comments that Wessel's arm appeared to snap, at least from a cage side view, but in reality Wessel's arm is okay.

In the post fight interview Mike Wessel is broken up and feels he has let his wife down.

On the flip side Marcus Jones is ecstatic with the joy of victory.

In order to better gauge who should fight in the quarterfinal fights the coaches and Dana White interview the winners of the preliminary fights. During the interviews Rashad takes great pleasure in reminding Rampage that he has only one fighter advancing.

Also Dana White and Roy Nelson get in a verbal spat on possible opponents as White thinks Roy is "cocky." I am not sure if White has looked in a mirror lately...

Quarterfinal fights
- Roy Nelson vs. Justin Wren
- Brendan Schaub vs. John Madsen
- James McSweeney vs. Matt Mitrione (Rampage tells us that the don't like each other).
- Marcus Jones vs. Darill Schoonover (Dana White informs us that he let Rampage pick this fight).

The episode ends with Rashad inviting the Team Rampage fighters to come train with his team, as six of his eight fighters will be fighting one another. Unfortunately the request for sparring partners comes off as an insult to Rampage and his team politely declines the awkward proposition.