The Ultimate Fighter 10: Heavyweights - Episode 9 Recap & Review

Recap of Roy Nelson vs Justin Wren on Episode 9 of TUF 10

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A quick recap of last week’s show starts the tenth episode, including highlights of Marcus’ armbar submission victory which gave Team Rampage their first win of the season. Roy Nelson will square off against Justin Wren in the first of the The Ultimate Fighter season 10’s quarterfinal round bouts. Nelson earned a TKO victory against Kimbo in the opening round, and Wren upset veteran Wes Sims with a 1st round submission to advance.

Rashad is worrying about team dynamics, since he has seven fighters remaining compared to Team Rampage’s one. Before practice begins, Rashad brings up the situation to his team and lets them know that although he will continue to train and prepare all seven of his remaining fighters, he will slow down on the “coaching” part so that he shows no favorites.

Justin Wren admits that it is a unique experience to train in the same place that his opponent (Nelson) is training at. Wren gives the experience edge to Nelson but says that he will push the action as the “up and coming guy.” Nelson is obviously uncomfortable with fighting a friend but says that he just wants to get it over with so that things can go back to normal.

Matt Mitrione is still complaining about his brain being scrambled and his eye hurting. In the car ride home, Mitrione continued to show signs of a concussion, and even though most of his teammates aren’t buying the symptoms, he may not be able to continue. If Mitrione is not able to fight his quarterfinal bout, Dana says that the coaches and he will decide on an appropriate alternate.

Rampage stresses that if Mitrione can’t go, Kimbo should be the frontrunner. Both coach Tiki and Rampage think that Kimbo has shown the most progression during the show. Kimbo looks ready to go if need be.

Team Rampage devoted some of their “free-time” to playing a prank on Team Rashad and their coaches. Rampage thinks that their team is cocky, so he decides to give them some “cocks”, in the form of chickens, inside of each of their cars. Although when Rashad discovers the chickens, he didn’t give Rampage the reaction he had hoped for. Rashad played along with the prank, which set Rampage back to the prank drawing board.

Both Wes and Kimbo questioned Matt about his recent overnight stay in the hospital, and he didn’t give much of an answer as to how he felt. Kimbo thinks that Matt has already backed out mentally. Wes even though about feeling sorry for Matt, until he changed his mind at the last minute saying that picking on him was, “like fishing with dynamite.”

A surprise visit from Dana sparks some interest from others, including Scott Junk, who wants another piece of action. Matt says that he is willing to fight, as long as he is cleared by the doctor.

The other fighters have split opinions on who they think will win, McSweeney thinks Justin, Kimbo thinks Roy. When Dana analyzed the fight, he said that he wasn’t impressed with Roy and was very impressed with Justin.

After both fighters weigh in under weight, they mentally prepare for their battle in a classic “youth vs. experience” match-up. Justin, who fights out of Texas, is first to enter the octagon. Roy, a Las Vegas native, enters second but looks cool, calm and collected as he readies for his fight.

The bout is underway, and Wren charges out with his jab. Roy is taking his time and trying to measure Justin up. Justin lands a couple of good, solid right uppercuts but the veteran clinches and regains his composure. A referee break puts them back in the middle and Justin is confident with his overhand right, throwing it at will. Roy is doing just enough to not get caught and is more offensive as time grows as well. His leg kicks are wearing on a tiring Justin. Nelson adds a couple of strong rights as time winds down in the round. The 1 st round ends and either fighter could have been awarded the edge.

Wren scores first with a nice low leg kick and follows it with another. Roy moves around the cage well for a big guy, both on offense and on defense. Justin is getting careless by throwing telegraphed overhand rights. Roy’s experience is showing in this round with his solid striking and clinching game. Justin looks to be the more tired of the two. He is not moving his head or body and is getting tagged by punches and kicks. He fights back and connects with a combination on Roy. Roy continues to pick Justin apart with consistent striking to the body and head. Justin is landing an occasional power punch but nothing on a regular basis.

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Although Rashad thinks that this fight should have went to a third round, the judges came back with a decision after two rounds. Dana and Rashad both think that Justin dominated in the 1 st round and Roy the 2 nd. The judges scored the fight 20-18, 19-19, 19-18 in favor of Roy.

Justin was obviously disappointed when the decision came in, and Roy was his usual “humble” self. Dana continues to be “rubbed the wrong way” by Roy when he says that he was exciting in that bout. Dana didn’t think so and has his doubts for any future exciting bouts.

Episode 11 is sure to answer some questions, including the one that is on many fans minds. Will Kimbo replace Matt in the quarterfinal round? Check the show out next week and find out.