Mixed Martial Arts Forum banner

The Ultimate Fighter 21: episode 1 – Rumble in South Florida

976 views 0 replies 1 participant last post by  kantowrestler 
#1 ·
The season opens with Dana White explaining the format change of the show from a single elimination tournament to a truly team based competition. There will be a total of twelve fights with the first four matches counting for 25 points, the next four wins counting for 50 points, and the final four matches counting for 100 points. The eight fighters from each team can fight anywhere from zero times up to three times in the competition.

After that the origins of the two gyms competing are explained.

American Top Team was formed by Dan Lambert in 2001 and competed for a long time before they finally gained the elusive UFC Welterweight Champion from Robbie Lawler. Lambert is disgusted by Blackzilians owner Glenn Robinson as Lambert claims Robinson stole some fighters form him to form his own gym.

Robinson claims that initially he was a part of ATT but was kicked out and four fighters decided to leave, Robinson was able to help create their own gym. Around the same time Rashad Evans left Jackson’s MMA and Anthony Johnson also joined soon.

During the selection meetings, it is mentioned that the fighters from both gyms range from prospects to veterans from the WSOF and Bellator promotions.

Following the team selections, both teams are boated to a local mansion where members of both teams will be housed. White comes in and welcomes both teams to The Ultimate Fighter and flips the coin which results in the Blackzilians getting home gym advantage which they must hold onto by winning their first match.

Both teams make their fighter picks for the blind weigh-ins. ATT picks Michael Graves while the Blackzilians pick Kamarudeen Usman. While both men face off at the weigh-ins the more intense face off is between Lambert and Robinson.

Fight day comes around with both teams cheering on their fighters. In ATT’s corner, Tecia Torres is present cheering the team.

Round one starts out with both men fighting on their feet and Usman eventually takes Graves down several times but doesn’t get in any ground and pound. There are also several times during the round that Graves grabs the fence and is warned but isn’t penalized.

Round two has Usman once again taking Graves down several times and gaining some ground and pound but noting significant. There is a point towards the end of the round that Graves takes Usman’s back and attempts several rear-naked chokes but isn’t successful.

The judges score the fight in favor of Usman by majority decision.
http://mma-freak.com/opinion/the-ultimate-fighter-21-episode-1-rumble-in-south-florida
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top