The Ultimate Fighter 9: U.S. vs. U.K. Episode 1 Recap & Review
While the last season of Spike TV’s Ultimate Fighter series left much to be desired in terms of production and actual talent throughout much of the roster, the series’ most recent attempt at breaking the mold introduces the first ever nationalistic theme to the format.
The season premier of TUF 9, while not quite living up to the hype that preceded the first episode—an admittedly difficult task, considering the hyper aggressive promotional campaign surrounding the show—did manage to separate itself from the last eight seasons in a few key ways.
For starters, the initial setting was changed from Las Vegas to the Wolfslair gym in the U.K., adding a new look and a bit of a mystery feel to the fights that followed. The atmosphere was refreshing, as were some of the fighters showcased. Also, the decision to jump directly into the opening elimination round bouts with only a short, sweet, and completely warranted promo video showcasing U.K. coach Michael Bisping did a good job of highlighting the Season 3 winner’s undeniable influence on the sport in his home country.
Notable victors from the U.K. squad’s elimination tournament generally demolished their opposition. While this does make for some exciting knockout and submission opportunities, it also firmly outlines the one glaring defect of the cast selection process, at least where this team is concerned, as not one of the opening fights were worthy of calling close.
This disparity in apparent skill levels is at once entertaining and misleading, as it is difficult to compare any of the elimination round survivors to one another in terms of their respective skill sets. Alas, that is what the tournament is meant to discover, so it can and should be forgiven.
For the lightweights showcased, Andre Winner’s combinations looked crisp and accurate, though his chin was almost begging for an uppercut, jutting out beyond his guard. He advances into the house with a dominant KO of one of coach Michael Bisping’s hopefuls in Gary Kelly.
Jeff Lawson displayed the gap in experience in his bout by depositing James Bryan onto the mat and finishing him off with an armbar in the opening frame. Ross Pearson looked confident and collected in his second round TKO of A.J. Wenn. But perhaps most impressive of the U.K. lightweights was Martin Stapleton, whose workmanlike attitude, aggressive posturing, and well-rounded approach earned him a first round submission over Dan James.
The welterweights were somewhat less exciting, but they got the job done and effectively carved out their spots in the house. James Wilks weathered and early storm to take Che Mills out of the competition with a first round heel hook. David Faulkner—another Wolfslair combatant—imitated Mills, only without taking any damage, as he sunk a heel hook of his own to tap James Bateman. Less impressive were Nicholas Osipczak, whose superior reach and range crumpled Tommy Maguire in the opening frame, and Dean Amarasinger, who won a lazy and uninspired decision over the frank and very vocal Alex Reid.
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Overall, the new format has breathed some much-needed new life into a stale program, and it has done so without compromising the integrity of the fighters, the coaches, or the sport they are representing … yet. It remains to be seen if the U.S. team will act accordingly. Unfortunately, a short preview teases that drama—the golden nectar of any reality TV show—is sure to commence.
It is and should well be expected by this point. After all, TUF—no matter what some first-time viewers might think—is still a reality show; its contestants are for the most part untested and unused to being featured in the limelight. Let us only hope that Junie Browning’s younger—and more immature, if that were possible—younger brother does not find his way onto the U.S. team.
U.K. Lightweights Advancing into the House:
- Andre Winner
- Jeff Lawson
- Ross Pearson
- Martin Stapleton
U.K. Welterweights Advancing into the House:
- James Wilks
- David Faulkner
- Nicholas Osipczak
- Dean Amarasinger
Be sure to check back every week to find the latest recap and review of TUF 9: U.S. vs. U.K., airing on Spike TV every Wednesday night at 10 P.M. Eastern.
By Steven T. Kelliher
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer
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