TUF 9: Episode 11 Recap - The Ultimate Fighter 9

The Ultimate Fighter 9: U.S. vs. U.K. Episode 11 Recap & Review

While it was admittedly difficult to follow up last week’s three round war between Damarques Johnson and Nick Osipczack to determine the first welterweight tournament finalist, TUF 9 episode 11 made up for it by airing both of the lightweight semifinal match ups en route to the live final, which is scheduled to take place in just over a week, June 20 at The Pearl at the Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The first semifinal in the lightweight tournament pitted the outspoken and painfully honest Cameron Dollar from Team U.S.—who had suffered a rib injury prior to the match—against U.K. striker Andre Winner, whose only real camera time this season occurred in this episode concerning his embarrassing habit of thumb sucking, something Dollar poked fun at prior to their bout.

“I can’t lose to a guy who sucks his thumb,” Dollar said well naturedly on camera.

When the action commenced, Dollar looked to be the aggressor, winging powerful one-two combinations are Winner’s elusive chin, but the fired up U.S. lightweight did not land efficiently. Following a few exchanges in which Winner seemed to land the crisper shots, including a brutal knee to Dollar’s injured ribcage, the U.S. lightweight shot in against the cage for a takedown.

After Winner escaped to his feet, Dollar again dragged him to the ground but lost the ensuing scramble, allowing Winner to mount him, cinch in a triangle choke and roll to his back, forcing the tap out at 2:50 of the very first round. With the win, Winner became the first lightweight as well as the first member of the U.K. team to advance to the tournament finals.

The second lightweight match would prove to be a much more competitive affair, as the compact, aggressive style of U.K. product Ross Pearson was put to the test against longtime MMA veteran Jason Dent.

Dent impressed in the three round brawl with his sturdy chin and a few well-timed combinations that he landed on Pearson, but his unwillingness to listen to his coaches’ instructions during the match as well as Pearson’s seeming strength and size advantage ultimately proved to be his undoing on the judges’ scorecards.

Pearson earned his way into the lightweight tournament finals with a Unanimous Decision over Dent, forcing an all-U.K. lightweight final.

Next week, the rematch between the charismatic underdog from Team U.S., Frank Lester, and James Wilks from Team U.K. will commence, with the U.S. looking to force an all-American welterweight final and the U.K. looking to make Johnson the sole survivor from Henderson’s squad in Las Vegas.


	<![if lt IE 4]> <script src="http://www.servedbyadbutler.com/adserve/;ID=154450;size=728x90;setID=119711;type=js" type="text/javascript"> </script> <noscript> <a href="http://www.servedbyadbutler.com/go2/;ID=154450;size=728x90;setID=119711"> <img src="http://www.servedbyadbutler.com/adserve/;ID=154450;size=728x90;setID=119711;type=img" border="0" height="90" width="728" alt=""></a> </noscript><![endif]>
About \| MMA \| Events \| Rankings \| UFC Previews \| UFC Results \| MMA Forums \| MMA Merchandise \| Tickets \| Profiles \| TUF \| Writers \| MMA Blog
The Ultimate Fighter 9: U.S. vs. U.K. Episode 11 Recap & Review While it was admittedly difficult to follow up last week’s three round war between Damarques Johnson and Nick Osipczack to determine the first welterweight tournament finalist, TUF 9 episode 11 made up for it by airing both of the lightweight semifinal match ups en route to the live final, which is scheduled to take place in just over a week, June 20 at The Pearl at the Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada. The first semifinal in the lightweight tournament pitted the outspoken and painfully honest Cameron Dollar from Team U.S.—who had suffered a rib injury prior to the match—against U.K. striker Andre Winner, whose only real camera time this season occurred in this episode concerning his embarrassing habit of thumb sucking, something Dollar poked fun at prior to their bout. “I can’t lose to a guy who sucks his thumb,” Dollar said well naturedly on camera. When the action commenced, Dollar looked to be the aggressor, winging powerful one-two combinations are Winner’s elusive chin, but the fired up U.S. lightweight did not land efficiently. Following a few exchanges in which Winner seemed to land the crisper shots, including a brutal knee to Dollar’s injured ribcage, the U.S. lightweight shot in against the cage for a takedown. After Winner escaped to his feet, Dollar again dragged him to the ground but lost the ensuing scramble, allowing Winner to mount him, cinch in a triangle choke and roll to his back, forcing the tap out at 2:50 of the very first round. With the win, Winner became the first lightweight as well as the first member of the U.K. team to advance to the tournament finals. The second lightweight match would prove to be a much more competitive affair, as the compact, aggressive style of U.K. product Ross Pearson was put to the test against longtime MMA veteran Jason Dent. Dent impressed in the three round brawl with his sturdy chin and a few well-timed combinations that he landed on Pearson, but his unwillingness to listen to his coaches’ instructions during the match as well as Pearson’s seeming strength and size advantage ultimately proved to be his undoing on the judges’ scorecards. > Check out the UFC apparel & hats and Punishment MMA clothing online through ProFighting-fans.com! Pearson earned his way into the lightweight tournament finals with a Unanimous Decision over Dent, forcing an all-U.K. lightweight final. Next week, the rematch between the charismatic underdog from Team U.S., Frank Lester, and James Wilks from Team U.K. will commence, with the U.S. looking to force an all-American welterweight final and the U.K. looking to make Johnson the sole survivor from Henderson’s squad in Las Vegas. By Steven T. Kelliher ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer > Find all of Steven's The Ultimate Fighter 9 recaps & reviews online with Pro Fighting Fans and check out The Ultimate Fighter 9 fight card & results! The Ultimate Fighter logo used with permission from the UFC