“Ultimate Fighter” Finale: The People’s Liveblog
(Photo courtesy of Combat Lifestyle. Check out the full album.)
You watched a lot of reality TV and sat through the lame TUF theme song countless times just to get to this point. Now we finally get to discover who is The Ultimate Fighter…by watching the rematch of a fight from the tournament semifinals.
Okay, so that part may be anti-climactic, but there’s a whole lot of other action on tonight’s fight card, including the always fun loser-gets-fired match between Kendall Grove and Evan Tanner. The Cage Potato liveblog starts at 9 pm EST. Remember to hit refresh so you can get the most updated acerbic wit possible.
9:00: And we’re off…
9:01: And we get as far as the post-gladiator montage interviews before CB Dollaway refers to himself in the third person again. Oh, those tricky editors.
9:04: The phrase “make or break” gets thrown around liberally by Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan. I can’t help but wonder how many of Rogan’s stories start with, “When I was on ‘News Radio…’” Not that I wouldn’t want to hear those stories.
9:11: Riddle boasts that he is “actually at a real camp” these days. Judging by his haircut, that camp is Vidal Sassoon. Hi-yo! Keep coming back for clever quips like that all night long.
9:16: Goldberg notes: “Nobody smiled more on this season of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ than Matt Riddle.” In all fairness, they only started keeping that statistic after season three.
9:24: A solid back-and-forth battle between Matt Riddle and Dante Rivera takes a turn as Riddle secures the mount. And then gives it up. Riddle attempts a nice little triangle, but Rivera isn’t having it. On to round three.
9:28: Riddle takes Rivera down right on the Keystone Light logo. Ouch. Rivera’s attempts at rubber guard do not escape Rogan’s notice, but Riddle works through it before getting back to his feet.
9:31: More mount from Riddle. Looks like he’s starting to take over, especially now that Rogan is already referring to this as a big victory for him. Presumptuous? Little bit. Accurate? Probably.
9:37: Riddle wins a unanimous decision. He smiles as if someone has told him they’re taking him for ice cream later.
9:43: Now we’re pausing so Dana White can promote his July 19 Anti-Affliction show. Don’t forget to pump up James Irvin. Done.
9:53: Spencer Fisher is taking it to Jeremy Stephens here in round one. That’s about all there is to say about it.
10:00: More of the same in round two. Fisher in total control, with the exception of a takedown from Stephens at the end of the round. I’m pretty sure I can hear Cecil Peoples marking it 10-9 for Stephens after that.
10:03: Referee Steve Mazagatti warns Fisher to “pick those shots wisely”. Are referees dispensing life guidance now? I’m not saying that’s a bad idea. Herb Dean could really sort some of these guys out.
10:07: Spencer Fisher toughs out the guillotine at the end and smiles from the effort. Well done.
10:12: Unanimous decision for Fisher. He responds with a Ric Flair ‘woo!’ We’d expect nothing less.
10:20: Joe Rogan sits down with Forrest Griffin and “Rampage” Jackson for an interview no one seems too excited about. “Rampage” salvages it by making fun of Griffin’s ears.
10:31: Diego Sanchez has got himself a good angry sneer going. Let’s see how it works out.
10:35: Who would have thought that Sanchez-Fioravanti would turn into a stand-up battle? Deal with it. That seems to be where this is going.
10:46: Entering round three, this is a surprisingly competitive and exciting fight. Despite having Fioravanti in trouble, Sanchez has been unable to finish him.
10:48: And right on cue Diego Sanchez delivers a big head kick, followed by a knee and then some punches that are mostly academic. Impressive finish from “The Nightmare”.
11:01: Big Nog and Frank Mir mug for the TUF 8 promo. Apparently we’re still calling Nogueira the “interim heavyweight champion”. That’s kind of like a girl you broke up with eight months ago saying that the two of you are ‘on a break.’
11:05: It’s time for extended packages on CB Dollaway and Amir Sadollah. You know, because we haven’t learned enough about their backgrounds.
11:12: CB and Amir smile at one another in the staredown. If my mom watched MMA, she would have both loved and misinterpreted that moment.
11:13: Dollaway wastes no time in getting Amir to the mat this time around. But Sadollah is wily off his back.
11:16: Sadollah locks up a very similar armbar to the one he finished Dollaway with on the show, and CB taps once. He apparently feels that this shouldn’t count as real tapout for some reason. CB, you tapped. Because you were locked up. Now let’s move on.
11:22: Amir Sadollah seems as surprised as anyone now that he’s the season seven winner. Somehow that only makes him more likable.
11:27: Here I thought we were going to get through a full Spike TV broadcast of the UFC without a stilted interview/advertisement for some other idiotic Spike TV show. What a fool I’ve been. At least we get a quick look at some show about a factory that seems to be based on an idea that took twenty seconds to think up.
11:34: Rogan refers to Evan Tanner as “a great writer”. If Jim Shepard were watching this, he’d be very sad right now. Rogan then goes on to refer to the “web log” that Tanner writes. If only there were a more succinct word for that.
11:41: Near the end of the first, we’ve already seen a hell of fight. Grove attempts to take Tanner’s back and fails. Both these guys are such unknown quantities, anything could happen.
11:44: Replays confirm that Grove’s knee was, as the kids say, totally sick.
11:45: Grove is using his range well early in the second. If only he could keep out of the clinch.
11:46: There’s that knee from Grove again. But it leads to a takedown. Grove gets back to his feet and punishes Tanner some. Tanner starting to remind us all of his gutsy/bloody performance against Rich Franklin, only with a beard this time.
11:49: Grove ends the round with some kicks that make me feel like vomiting. Or maybe that’s the Chinese food and vodka.
11:55: Both guys look tired and a little desperate here in the final moments. Great effort from both men. It’s a shame someone probably has to get fired behind this.
11:59: Split decision for Kendall Grove. It’s not a finish, but it will keep him employed.
12:02: Eastman-McFedries is up next. Turns out Marvin Eastman is 38. And still holding on to the dream. Is that encouraging, or a cautionary tale? Guess we’ll see.
12:05: Cautionary tale. McFedries just put a hurting on “The Beastman”. Guess who’s going to be selling Lady Kenmore’s at Sears before the month is out.
Results of the rest of the undercard:
Dustin Hazelett def. Josh Burkman via submission (armbar) round two
Dean Lister def. Jeremy Horn via submission (guillotine choke) round one
Rob Kimmons def. Rob Yundt via submission (guillotine choke) round one
Matt Brown def. Matt Arroyo via TKO (punches) round two
The Tim Credeur-Cale Yarbrough fight was cancelled because Credeur tested positive for the prescription drug Adderall.
And on that note, we’re done. Have a good night, Potato Nation.
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June 21st, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Check out my hair.
June 21st, 2008 at 5:19 pm
I hope they both lose.
June 21st, 2008 at 5:53 pm
for the love of god get a new theme song
June 21st, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Hmmm, can Kendall overcome Tanner’s Norris beard technique?
June 21st, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Are Amir and Riddle getting bonuses for having those hair cuts?
June 21st, 2008 at 6:20 pm
I kind of like the theme song. I’m not proud of that.
datter
http://finaldog.com/
June 21st, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Bring on the retirement plaque.
June 21st, 2008 at 6:34 pm
“9:37: Riddle wins a unanimous decision. He smiles as if someone has told him they’re taking him for ice cream later.”
lol, that’s great.
June 21st, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Is it just me or was Rogan all over Riddle’s nuts?
June 21st, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Fisher is the f*cking man!
June 21st, 2008 at 7:22 pm
2 fights, 0 stoppages.
=(
June 21st, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Did you see Fioravanti wag his finger at Sanchez after he flipped him in the first round? Hilarious.
June 21st, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Validate yourself Amir. You can DO IT!!
June 21st, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Amir.
June 21st, 2008 at 8:08 pm
ARMBAR AGAIN!!!! EAT IT C.B.!!! YOU TAPPED BITCH!!!!
June 21st, 2008 at 8:10 pm
nicely done by amir… hopefully he’s a future super star in the sport, great attitude, interesting fights… looks like another successful TUF season (in the sense that a good fighter is developed)
June 21st, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Can’t wait for the posts on whether or not CB tapped on that armbar. He did tap and I just saw it. It was one tap and then once the pressure was off he started to pull out. I absolutely detest guys that bitch after the obvious
w
June 21st, 2008 at 8:15 pm
I am Stoked Amir won, I was routing for him from day one just cuz he didn’t have any pro fights and was already that good. In CB’s defense I think he instinctivly tapped, then realized what he had done tried to play it off like he hadn’t. But arguing about is not gonna change shit, just make you look like an ass…hahaha Amir’s interview is great.
June 21st, 2008 at 8:15 pm
I’m so glad that blockheaded retard lost.
June 21st, 2008 at 8:18 pm
CB Tapped. No doubt. He tapped. An instinctive tap is STILL a tap. It is not up for debate or discussion. He tapped. Tapping once still counts, even if you protest it. That said, he is still a hell of a fighter & should go on to have a good fight career.
June 21st, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Wow Kendall’s knee was sick.
June 21st, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Anyone know the results to the undercard?
June 21st, 2008 at 8:43 pm
It’s tough to watch Tanner get demolished like this by freaking Kendall Grove
June 21st, 2008 at 8:48 pm
I know Matt Brown won hes fight, thats about it. I am happy for Amir tho, I was rooting for him, but I didn’t think he would win.
June 21st, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Was one judge adding the beard to his card?
If Tanner’s fired after this it was a pretty noble way to go out.
June 21st, 2008 at 8:57 pm
You can get the undercard results here.
June 21st, 2008 at 8:59 pm
That dude is violent!
June 21st, 2008 at 9:13 pm
“Replays confirm that Grove’s knee was, as the kids say, totally sick” ahahahah so true best knee ive ever seen
June 21st, 2008 at 9:27 pm
“The first time I saw that jumping knee, it was used by Urijah Faber…” I thought I saw Yves Edwards use it a few months before Urijah. :\
June 21st, 2008 at 9:37 pm
The phrase of the night for the UFC was ‘You can see the best pound for pound fighter free on Spike TV’…they even got Dana up to say it. They are more afraid of Affliction than I thought.
June 21st, 2008 at 10:02 pm
“The phrase of the night for the UFC”
What he said was true.
June 21st, 2008 at 10:09 pm
spencer and diego won so im happy. im ready for sanchez koschek 2. i didnt really care about anyone else except for brown and aroyo which wasnt on tv for some reason. i think brown will be the best fighter to come out of that show.
June 21st, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Affliction sucks. UFC rocks. I wont even bother to watch affliction fights at all, they have UFC has beens, and cowards who cant cut it in UFC.
with that said, glad I picked amir.
thought it was funny that Cb talked all that shit, and was even talking shit about the armbar, like dude got lucky, then BAM ……hey cb he got lucky again….same song same f’n verse. and cb showed his “pitbull” alright, he did more barking AFTER the fight than ever before.
Diego Sanchez gave way to much respect to fatiorgia, or whatever his name is, happily he ended it in a TKO.
and lastly, I was disappointed in “weird-beard” Tanner, he showed the world!………..thats hes a washed up old man, see ya dude!
June 21st, 2008 at 10:22 pm
teachbug needs a lesson.. Affliction sucks Ufc rocks? I like the UFC, its where my obsession began so i’m not knocking it, but my obsession is not UFC.. its MMA.. i respect all fighters, not just the ones in the UFC.. your what we call a UFC nutthugger, not a real fan of the sport… realize that the organizations are made up of fighters, not that the fighters are determined by their organization.
UFC has some of the best fighters in the world, but some very poor business relations.. I disagree with many decisions they have made, Brock Lesnar came into the UFC making well over what Tim Sylvia made per fight and Sylvia was a champ! Lesnar had one fight coming in! UFC’s monopolizing tactics are like Microsoft! good for business but bad for the sport!
June 21st, 2008 at 10:23 pm
i hate CB’s collagen filled upper lip
June 21st, 2008 at 11:37 pm
does anyone what song amir came out to the ring with??
June 22nd, 2008 at 3:33 am
sucks to see Tanner down…hope he regains what he once had…has the heart of a true fighter somewhere in there.
very impressive performance by Grove…he’s gonna be tough if he keeps at it.
Dollaway tapped- he admitted it…good move since it was obvious.
Sanchez is still a warrior- proved that last night.
not a bad night…for free.
June 22nd, 2008 at 6:35 am
Check that. Believe Hazelett def. Burkman, impressively.
June 22nd, 2008 at 6:55 am
Who was the judge that gave the fight to Tanner? Is he freakin blind?
End of the fight Tanner’s face was unrecognizable, Groves didn’t have a scratch on him. And that wasn’t just from the final exchange, Tanner was swollen and purple from the end of the 1st on. I’m smart enough to know that yes Tanner scored some points in this match but for 2 rounds Kendall used him as a punching bag.
June 22nd, 2008 at 7:50 am
Josh Burkman def. Dustin Hazelett via submission (armbar) round two ???
Other way around.
June 22nd, 2008 at 8:37 am
CB looks like Matt Damon with downs syndrome.
Tanner was one of my favorites but I’m thinking he should hang up the gloves. He just lost that killer instinct and I think it’s forever. He had a good run, and that was a hell of a way to go out. Evan Tanner’s career makes for a nice story, he should write it.
June 22nd, 2008 at 9:28 am
Fioravanti said he’d test Diego’s “Mexican chin”, which he did… along with Diego’s Mexican knees, feet, and upper-cut fists!!!
June 22nd, 2008 at 9:57 am
I really wanted Tanner to win. Especially after reading the revealing interview w/ Grove. He’s got skills but, after that, I’m done w/ him. Tanner is a character and I hate to think he may leave the sport. Amir pulled it off and it couldn’t have gone to a better guy. Awesome that he beat CB w/ the same sub! Nice to have a fighter that’s not a braggart in every interview. Good show all around. Even though Rogan’s “pound for pound” bit got a little old.
June 22nd, 2008 at 10:33 am
I’m so bummed Tanner lost. That guy just can’t get out of his own way. CB is a little punk for trying the old “I didn’t really tap” gag just so he could walk around with that stupid look on his face and claim he got screwed. He was lucky to even be there, what a jerk. I like Amir, he’s a nice guy and good in interviews. He’ll be a good face for the sport.
June 22nd, 2008 at 11:17 am
I see a bright future for Tanner in Bumfights 3: Assault of the Beard
June 22nd, 2008 at 11:22 am
Is it just me or did Evan Tanner looked out of it before the fight even started. When he first stepped into the ring he looked confused and lost. This was not the best Tanner I’ve ever seen. I’m thinking that maybe the homeless man beard is just an outward indication of his mental condition. What a pity.
June 22nd, 2008 at 11:27 am
“CB looks like Matt Damon with downs syndrome.”
Now that’s funny. CB looks like he stepped out of the chalk caricature drawing Matt Damon got when he went to the Boardwalk.
June 22nd, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Credeur tested positive for Adderall?
Maybe he has ADD. Is this not aloud for a guy with ADD or ADHD?
One way or another — its a fun drug if you don’t have ADD
June 22nd, 2008 at 6:30 pm
“CB looks like Matt Damon with downs syndrome.” Hahaha that says it all, I was trying all season to figure out which retarded version of a celeberity CB looks like.
June 22nd, 2008 at 8:52 pm
@ Galaxy
Amir’s entrance song was To Forgive But Not Forget by Outside.
June 23rd, 2008 at 7:19 am
Good job Amir! I was glad to see CB get reminded he is not the be all end all of TUF 7. (Take that Dana… you picked a tapping cry-baby!) Amir is fun to watch, and respectful too. I can’t wait to see where he is in a year.
As for Tim C. WTF? Nothing I read says he has ADHD. I thought (Adderall) was a study drug when used for recreation. Does it offer anything to a fighter?
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Adderall is an amphetamine and can be fatal in high levels especially if you’re doing strenuous activity. I think you can test positive for certain levels of it if you have a prescription, if not, you’re boned.
June 25th, 2008 at 4:19 am
I am fekking stoked Amir won. To be honest my money was on CB. Amir just cruised in under the radar. He’s quietly confident and that’s the mark of a true champion. Well done. CB should have learned how to escape the arm-bar after his first loss.
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