The Ultimate Fighter Heavyweights: Week 4

Written by Mike Wilkerson   |   Monday, October 12 2009

Brendan Schaub and Demico Rogers fight during Episode 4 of 'The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights' (Photo: UFC)

Viewing Date: 10-6-2009
Show Title: Ultimate Fighter: HEAVYWEIGHTS Week 4
Network: SpikeHD
Reviewed By: Mike Wilkerson

It's always been said that good things come in threes. I'm here to tell you today that this week, 4s is the best number. In this 4th week of SPIKE's The Ultimate Fighter, we see some of the best samples of Mixed Martial Arts television content EVER. Is it because of the fight showcased? Nope. Is it because we - see MORE KIMBO SLICE? Not at all. This episode is all about showing you perspective and it's great to see in a show where only a year ago, we were being "entertained" by bodily-fluid-drenched sushi.

Glove-up, straddle in and knuckle up as we get to this 4th week of SPIKE's The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights here at THE SAVAGE SCIENCE!

As with many of my online reviews, I'll be reviewing this episode in a "stream of consciousness" format, giving you essentially what I'm thinking as the show airs. This is the best and surely most one-of-a-kind opportunity for you to  chime in and tell us what you think about this season of Spike's The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights and be sure to listen to our TUF Tally - a quick, no-holds-barred call of this episodes fight via the Savage Style Podcast!

The Savage Science style podcast for The Ultimate Fighter Week #4

-- Kimbo's Style Really Changed: Umm, not really. While his physique surely has changed from training well, eating mostly good things and two-a-day professional training sessions, he still looks to me like the Kimbo that - fights with his hands, doesn't he? Where is all of this dynamic movement and "ground game" that the people featured in this opening volley are talking about? Seemed to me that Kimbo, threw punches, got mounted, lived through the first round and then - in the second round, got mounted and done. Other than LOSING again, what trend have we started here with a "new" Kimbo Slice?

-- Kimbo did good - he lasted out the round...: Kimbo lasting out the round had nothing to do with Kimbo, and everything to do with Herb Dean. Dean allowed the first round to lapse and then stepped in, appropriately, finally, in the second after Roy mounted the crucifix again and was pounding (albeit lightly) on Kimbo's head who did nothing to move, shake or "defend himself." That folks = a "W". Re-holster bitching and move forward.

-- He’s afraid of you - he decided to wrestle: I've never seen anything more ridiculous as several of this year's show participants claiming in that "Roy decided to wrestle with Kimbo." The name of the game and show, is to WIN. Not to do stupid things that get you hurt. Deciding to "stand and trade with Kimbo Slice" is like wanting to get hit by a car in the middle of the street. Why on Earth would you elect to do that? Do any of the people who are legitimate fighters PLAN to take on their quarry with a skill set that's not their bread and butter? OF COURSE THEY DON'T. I don't see Kimbo getting all anxious to wrestle any of the wrestlers on the show. So for the love of all that is Kimbo, can we please stop hating on people that "choose NOT to go toe to toe with Kimbo?"

-- I don't feel like I've been eliminated: Kimbo: You don't feel like you've been eliminated because: 1.) You aren't eliminated. 2.) You just got put into a position where a large man had you pinned and you could mount NOTHING in the way of opposition. 3.) You didn't do anything to test your endurance during the fight. These factors make it feel like you're "not eliminated", Kimbo.

-- Marcus Jones is Sweating Profusely: I've got to ask again - is this the same Marcus that we saw in week 2 of this year's The Ultimate Fighter? What was football training like for this man? While I know we've got the "120% for 30 seconds" rule going in football, it just seems to me that we're tasking someone that would have known about the conditioning part of the regimen before getting here. Just STRANGE. Something else that begs to be answered: WHY is he sweating profusely? Is he sick? Worse yet, is he CONTAGIOUS? Something I've always wanted answered in more depth in The Ultimate Fighter is the "why" of fighters not being able to fight. Was he hypoglycemic? Was he having a cardiac episode? Was it food poisoning from something he and others ate? We never find out in this episode and I think that hurts the progression of knowledge. What's the reason?

-- Going Over Rashad's Fighters: I LOVE THIS SEGMENT. I'd love to see more of this in future seasons of The Ultimate Fighter. Seeing what the coaches think of both the pluses and minuses of each of the fighters was something special. I think that offers great insight into how the chess pieces of the show move and I am one of many people that want to know more about that as well as seeing some great fighting.

-- Seeing the Fight Decisions with The Fighters: Wow! Were they watching/reading what I wanted to see more of at the end of Season 9? This is outstanding material and something I think adds untold value to a show like The Ultimate Fighter on SPIKE. It's natural information progression at its best here and I can only hope that we'll see more of it after these next three fights (which have essentially been picked during this episode) happen.

-- Marcus and His Own Strength: Wow. It's clear that Marcus is a beast (and now, not sick? What WAS that? Do you understand what I mean now from the above commentary?) and I'm eager to see what'll happen inside the cage when he finally gets in there. Will it be soon? I have to assume yes because of he's rolling right now with people that looks close to real speed and if he's "hurting" people while doing so he's going. So what's the story on the whole "sweating profusely while doing nothing" then?

-- Finding Quotes for Rampage: Pieces of sentences rather than whole thoughts? I don't know if they intended this or maybe it's a piece of why Rampage "quit fighting" but - is it just me or do they seem to just get pieces of quotes for him during his onesies (where they get quotes and interjection from him alone) during the show? Several times in this episode, it was like he'd started a thought and then they cut the segment before he can finish it out. Perhaps that's just the way he talks but wow - sure makes him look like an imbecile.

-- A Sincere Apology for Spillin' the Beans: What on EARTH is Matt thinking in this section? He shares the plan for who fights whom - with someone FROM THE OTHER TEAM? Huh? Time to put the bars of soap in the socks and wait for lights-out, guys. What a total BONER. Can or should the fights be changed up? Can you perhaps take a future not to send "disinformation" down a pipe like that in the future to REALLY play with people's minds? Now THAT would be cool.

-- Steppin' Out to the Woods to Talk - With Microphones: Earth to Rampage Camp: You're STILL MIC'd UP when you go into the woods to "discusserate!" What is the point of them going into the woods to have a few moments to talk about the fight? When the show airs, there's nothing to be gained by doing that - the audience is going to follow along and doesn't know the outcome. I'm perplexed on this one, how about you?

-- Seeing the Coaching: "Believe in your jab..." There's a segment in there where you see one of Team Rashad's coaches giving Brendan Shaub some great insight and supportive discussion that really does shine. It's a great reel for the show and something I'd love to have friends of mine see that STILL think that the "cagefighting” thing is all about blood and guts and animalry." There is true learning and mental conditioning happening there and I really appreciate seeing it this season. Thank you SPIKE!

-- The Coaches Aren't There - Again? Ok, you've been contracted to be a coach/assistant coach on this year's SPIKE The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights. You have 8 fights to attend. 8 fighters to school and support and so - you're going to assume that you have at least some kind of schedule to keep - right? Not so much for Rampage and his assistant coach squad. WHERE WAS RAMPAGE and his coaching entourage for the beginning/warm-up/prep time for his fighter, Demico?  This is a career and schooling that we're talking about, Rampage! Are you a coach or aren't you? Please CHOOSE and get your and your fellow coaches' asses in gear and be there for your fighters when they need you!

-- Rampage Wonders who didn't warm up Demico? Are you kidding me here, Rampage? What's the protocol set up for warming up a fighter pre-fight? Does it include, perhaps, just wondering... A COACH? A TEAM COACH perhaps? I just don't get it. I am NOT a professional fighter, I don't know "the fight game" but I know that you're falling down on the job as a coach for this fighter and your team this year. What's the story? All of your late arrivals can't possibly be "bad editing in the show" - what's the story, RAMPAGE?

== General Fight Prediction Vibe:

- Demico Rogers looks like a well-rounded fighter that's going to like the ground game more than not. Again, this plays a good solid contrast to what they're showing us from Brendan Schaub.

- Brendan Schaub claims more boxing skill and all-around skill than Demico but is physically smaller. Will he be mauled on the ground? Will he have the ground skills to stay in the game and move? I think yes.

The Fight Begins!

- Demico Rogers Vs Brendan Schaub

Two quick and short leg kicks launch the fourth week of SPIKE's The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights! Both fighters trade quick jabs and Rogers shoots at the end of a quick jab but falls short! Schaub takes advantage of the shortfall and snakes his arms around Rogers' neck and tries to set in the guillotine! They rise in the same position and a Rogers' shove takes them both to the cage wall!  They pommel and spin and begin the stand up again. Schaub lands several solid body shots and Rogers responds with another - this time effective - shoot down the middle and takes Schaub to the ground!

Rogers is in Schaub's guard and they're eeking to the cage wall. Schaub has Rogers arms rigged up and Schaub is able to deliver some damage from the bottom. And now a solid two left hooks in the ground and pound! Schaub attempts to kick Rogers off and succeeds but Rogers is quickly back down on top. 

Schaub uses the cage to spin his head to the center of the ring as Rogers tries to pass guard and now Rogers is in side control! A HUGE elbow then two land for Rogers and Schaub has no answer. Rogers tries to mount and can't finish the move and as a result is reversed by Schaub! He's on top now delivering some solid blows to the face in a raucous ground and pound! Schaub ramps the outstretched guard of Rogers and passes to side control! He spins quickly to North South - Oh my gawd! The arms of Brendan Schaub have darted underneath Rogers and he's securing an outstandingly tight Anaconda Choke! Roger's eyes begin to roll almost as quickly as Schaub rolled in the choke and with a minute 42 seconds left in the round Rogers taps out and week 4's fight is quickly over!

Decision:

Winner by Anaconda Choke - Brendan Schaub!

-- No Support from Rampage: Just when you thought last episodes review had certified that Rampage is truly worthless, even more un-value is added to the shoulders of Rampage Jackson. After the fight, he completely discards care for Demico, even withholding and wondering why Demico might need a stool after being choked out. UNBELIEVABLE. What adds certainty and value toward Rashad is that he - RASHAD goes to Demico's side inside the cage for some consolation post-lost. It's a true, venerable moment for Rashad and those of you that "hate Rashad" - including Jackson, should take a large mental note of this moment and subsequent discussion by Rashad. It's moving, stapled truth and should be a centerpoint for all future coaches on The Ultimate Fighter on SPIKE.

-- "I" Must have the worst luck in the world: Rampage thinking of what's most important: While we're focusing on the worst luck in the world, how about focusing on what I think is the worst COACH in the history of The Ultimate fighter on SPIKE? What a SELFISH ASSHOLE! The machinery around you is falling apart, Rampage. Get it together and rally that machine to start making strides or you're going to have an even longer run here on The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights.

-- Coaches We Need to Have a Meetin' for Real...: We witness a perplexed and answerless Coach Rampage at the end of this episode that asks his coaching staff about the decisions they've made in the last fight and more. Umm, where is the mantle of responsibility and asking people for different viewpoints on how you can turn it around? Announcing that we're losing, that you have a stable of "green fighters" and wondering if you're dreaming or not, is not the way to inspire your coaching crew. SPIKE/UFC: I'd like to make a plea for something even MORE outside the box than this season of The Ultimate Fighter. I know NOTHING about the fight game other than what I've watched, written about and seen over a period of three years. I do however know how to communicate what I feel, how to think critically and am a great problem solver. I challenge you to LET ME COACH a side of The Ultimate Fighter: Green Machine where you let "green coaches" take over the teams of perspective fighters to get not only a different taste of coaching, but of how to help and encourage people to SUCCEED. I know that I can coach a team of people better than what I'm seeing from Rampage this season and it SICKENS me to know that I can encourage people to rally around a common goal to believe in themselves and a goal more than a "seasoned, experienced fighter turned coach" can. WOW! Bring it ON, SPIKE/UFC!

-- The Savage Science Review Moral: This is easily one of the most satisfying episodes of The Ultimate Fighter - EVER. You get to see so much behind the scenes as well as the disintegration of a fighter/turned coach that is completely self-absorbed. ALL of the fighters in this season and watching it on television should take to heart that THIS is what your career and future SHOULD NOT BECOME. PERIOD! Anyone can put on board shorts, gloves and jump in without a plan and very little in the way of knowledge from a coach. A true, successful fighter NEEDS those things to not only improve their game but to believe in themselves, and you see BOTH SIDES of that here from Rampage and Rashad respectively. An outstanding sample of how people deal with diversity and it's right here on SPIKE. Great stuff!

-- Quote of the Episode: "What's he need a stool for?" -Rampage Jackson The Answer to this question, Rampage, is to offer not only a seat for your beaten fighter to sit on, but to extend the experienced hand of knowledge to someone that just got BEAT. To create a learning opportunity not only for your fighter, BUT FOR YOU. If you've ever had to console someone about something devastating, you'd understand the reason and "point" for being there for someone that needs to be lifted up - even slightly - during a time of defeat - and YOU JUST FAILED the test of a coach. Any chance that one of your other underlings will be coaching the rest of the episodes? You've clearly got more cell-phoned driving to do so "git" to it.

-- Overall Show Rating: In a world where everyone would have hailed the "Kimbo Slice Fight" episode as best this season, this one is going to top the charts for me so far with 9 of 10 Savage Skullies. The perspective delivered here is just simply unmatched in my opinion and we need more episodes like this, featuring the same kind of samples and schooling of people, for people to help understand many of the positive situation-creating aspects of mixed martial arts. Again, congratulations, SPIKE for creating a show that holds attention and spurs problem-solving thought. Wonderful stuff.

I'm still wondering what YOU thought of this episode and hope that you'll take just a moment to fill out the comment section below to tell us what YOU think, or send me your details to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Look for more here as THE SAVAGE SCIENCE continues to review this season of The Ultimate Fighter: HEAVYWEIGHTS!

Don't miss Mike's podcast review of this episode!

The Savage Science style podcast for The Ultimate Fighter Week #4

< Prev		Next >