Saunders vs Sicilia - Photo Property of Zuffa LLC
The underdog succeeds, puts his team on top, and takes out the opposition’s number two contender. Team Faber takes the lead again after another incredible battle in the 8th Episode of TUFLive as Chris Saunders defeats Sam Sicilia from the red team. Team Cruz makes history with their guest trainer and the last preliminary fight of the season is set for next week.
Another war took place this week between Saunders and Sicilia, which for sure will be among the nominees for fight of the season, full of back and forth action since the very beginning. In the first round Saunders appear to have landed more shots and dropped Sicilia with a head kick, who popped right back up and continued to fight hard. The second round was very close as we saw them take the fight to all levels. Takedown attempts, scrambles on the ground, combinations on their feet, both sides landed big shots. Both fighters showed big heart and were trying to finish the fight in a big way. In the end, although the majority in attendance and watching at home might have seen it as a draw after two rounds and a third required to settled the score, the judges disagreed and Saunders came out on top with a split decision victory. It could have gone either way, but a third round would have been OK with either corner and with Dana White who scored the fight as a draw after two.
This week Dominic Cruz made history twice for The Ultimate Fighter show when he brought in his friend and Strikeforce 145 lbs women’s Champion Ronda Rousey as a guest trainer. The first women walk in to the TUF gym as a trainer and a big surprise to the guys as they saw this beautiful blond in high heels and tight jeans come in and transform into an MMA athlete full of knowledge and toughness. She showed them a Judo throw technique that can be utilized in MMA to obtain top position. They were all amazed as, despite her size and being a lady, she was able to throw them around with her impeccable techniques. We say history twice as she then joined them later at the TUF house, first lady to walk in there to socialize, for the UFC 145 Jones vs Evans watch party that the guys were allowed to enjoy with the coaches. The lack of contact for the guys with the outside world for the past eight weeks was obvious and things were a bit awkward with a beautiful woman around. A big failure on their part to entertain a lady.
We are now left with the last preliminary fight for next week between Mike Rio and Andy Ogle. Andy set his eyes on Rio as a target since earlier in the season when he showed interest in fighting him when he was having knee problems. The Wolverine is all healthy now and his top level wrestling will be a big problem for Ogle. These two have had plenty of time to train for each other so expect a good game plan from both teams for this fight. Tune in next week as we will be left with the last eight standing. Quarter finals are almost here. TUFLive is in full effect.
