TUF 9 Episode 7 Recap: Tennis for the win

Wow, a lot was going on in this episode of The Ultimate Fighter. First it was Richie Whitson's face bacterial infection, which for the record is totally not herpes. It was quite humorous watching Jason Pierce become a hypochondriac as he sprayed Lysol in every which direction.

Then it was off to the gym to watch team U.K. fail and lifting a sledge hammer. They broke the floor and team member David Faulkner hit himself in the leg causing an infection. If there was ever any doubt that the TUF house wasn't a cesspool for disease to spread this season has answered that question.

On the U.S. side of the training regime Jason Pierce appears to be cracking under the pressure of the house and being tapped 24/7. Pierce is dealing with a foot injury from his prelim fight and appears unhappy that Henderson is making him train. Couple that with some gossiping about Pierce's situation inside the house. Pierce then delivers the classic reality television line, "I am not here to make friends."

Dan Henderson and Michael Bisping faced off in the coaches challenge. This year it was a friendly game of tennis. Unfortunately for team U.K. Bisping has no skills what so ever. Henderson handily beat Michael six games to two winning $10,000 for himself and $1,500 for each member of team U.S.

With Bisping thoroughly humiliated both physically and verbally (thanks to some choice insults from team U.S.) the Brit proceeds to announce the next fight. Team U.K.'s Ross Pearson will fight Team U.S.'s Richie Whitson.

Back at the house we discover that Richie is a member of Dan Henderson's camp Team Quest. During a birthday celebration for the red haired Alaskan one of team U.S.'s members cracks and it isn't Jason Pierce. Cameron begins to freak out which looks like someone either drank too much or took some acting classes. Either way there is a lot of pressure being on TUF. On to the fights!

Personally due to Richie's heavy prevalence in the TUF promo's I assumed he would pull the upset here. Alas Whitson was outmatched by Pearson who submitted Richie with an arm bar near the end of round one.

Team U.K. is now up 4-2.Team U.K. is now up 4-2.