The Ultimate Fighter: US vs. UK Week #11

Written by Mike Wilkerson   |   Saturday, June 13 2009

Ross Pearson slugs Jason Dent during their fight in Week 11 of 'The Ultimate Fighter: US vs. UK'. This season will pit fighters from the US against their counterparts from the United Kingdom and our Mike Wilkerson will be here bring you all the action. (Photo: Zuffa, LLC)

Viewing Date: 6-12-2009
Show Title: Ultimate Fighter United States V United Kingdom: Week 11
Network: SpikeHD
Reviewed By: Mike Wilkerson

It's week 11 of Spike's "The Ultimate Fighter" and it's never been clearer - the faster they get to the fights and discussion of them, the more satisfied I am. There are currently several reality/real-time fight shows in production via a variety of networks and I hope that ALL of them take into account the desires of people like me who want to get the details, and get straight to the action. The "drama" that sells so many other avenues of storytelling that Spike lost BIG with last year with The Ultimate Fighter needs to simply go away. Get us into the game like we start THIS 11th week of The Ultimate Fighter for SavageScience.Com! Let's get to this week's review!

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. I encourage everyone to send feedback in regard to any of the points below and let's use this opportunity sounding-off point to tell us what YOU think about this year's Ultimate Fighter season.

-- The fights are set via voiceover from Mike Rowe: I cannot tell you how much I love just having Mike Rowe set up the fights and we're essentially into the first series of discussion about the fights, the comparison of training between the two teams, and eventually into fisticuffs. This is how ALL shows about fighting should be managed and they help to craft one of the best episodes EVER.

-- Dana's nightmare = no UK guys: I love the subtle veracity of Dan Henderson in this episode and really all through the season. It really does help to build the anticipation for the final fight between he and Bisping when the season ends and it may just be the first time I purchase a UFC pay-per-view to see it. This season's show really has shown me the greatness of Dan Hendo Henderson and I really love coming back to see what's going to happen next each week.

-- Is Andre Winner the UKs Demarques? The similarities are undeniable and they're both very cut fighters. Does anyone else see the same thing I do looking at both of these fighters?

-- Sucking your thumb in your 20s? A strange habit is showcased for the first time on this episode of Spike's The Ultimate Fighter. We learn from Andre's teammates that - he sucks his thumb. I'm sorry, SUCKS HIS THUMB? Are any of you sucking your thumb right now? Ok, but if you were sucking your thumb now, would you suck your thumb if you were surrounded by testosterone in a house full of Mixed Martial Arts fighters? What's the story there? Am I missing a vital piece of knowledge that surrounds those that suck their thumbs into their 20's? That would sure put a kink in a job interview or Dr.'s appointment. Tell me now or forever suck your thumb in silence.

-- God's speed and devil's rage and god wouldn't give me a task I'm not up to: Cameron Dollar begins providing us some with some religious colloquialisms that are the hallmark of professional athletes. I'm not going to get on a rant here, but why don't we ever see the athlete cursing God when the tables turn in their perceived effort? As we continue into this episode, we'll see firsthand just what happens with positions like this.

-- Andre is ripped: I wanted to take a moment to comment on Andre's physique. The man is in INCREDIBLE shape and is one of the samples of what I usually expect to see when I watch a program of people staying in a house for weeks at a time, with nothing to do but train, fight and train and fight some more. A comparison sample of this episode would be to look at Andre, and then look at someone like Jason Dent. Jason clearly makes it to The Ultimate Fighter because it's more than looks - I understand that completely. But Jason looks like one of my friends that's been over for BBQs - regularly. kind of chubby, some love handle action started - pretty general as far as people go so it's good not only to see him in there, but not gassing like so many of even the best intentioned, physically fit fighters. Dave is a perfect sample of that.

THE FIGHT BEGINS

== Cameron Dollar Vs Andre Winner

This semi-final fight will be in the same format as previous seasons, with 3 5-minute rounds, and should it be tied at the end of those 2 rounds, there's a "sudden victory" round that will decide the match. The largest difference with this and following fights is that the winner of this bout goes to Vegas as one of the last remaining finalists for Winning "The Ultimate Fighter."

Round 1

The jabs start up quickly and Dollar lands twice.

Winner starts to respond and they trade. Dollar is flails a series of punches wide and Winner lands a very solid uppercut!  Dollar seems unfazed and shoots on Winner but instead pushes Winner to the cage and lands a knee and - oh no! Winner gives back a knee and Dollar takes a knee to the tender point he referred to earlier in the show!

He stands slowly sucking air and takes a fist to the top of the head! Winner flushes a knee that misses, but the follow up right doesn't! Boom!

Dollar shoots in an attempt to get out of the devil's chute and escapes but Dollar pulls him down from behind like a now no-longer standing alligator.

Dollar rises from butterfly guard as Winner also rises and it looks like Dollar's head has cleared
as he shoots for a single leg and Winner sprawls against the cage

Dollar finally eases on the single and tosses in a solid knee to Winners midsection.

Two quick hands land for Winner as they move away from the cage but Dollar lands a very solid pelt that snaps Winners jaw like a flapping pork chop!

They begin to grapple and Dollar looks to have a takedown but as he falls Winner pulls a Greg Louganis-inspired twist and lands in full mount on top of Dollar with 2 min left!

He rolls to his right and instantly cinches in a very tight could-be-the-end-of-it-all triangle choke and it looks as though that task that Dollar was set out to conquer by "the lord" will be an obstacle in Dollar's memory for eternity.

Andre Winner is a winner by triangle choke.

-- Great speeches from both: Unlike many of the previous fighters, both give outstanding post-fight dialogs that really help me to understand that at least for these few moments on camera - they GET IT - what it means to be a fighter on a show like The Ultimate Fighter. This above all else is almost like seeing people learning how to add numbers together and suddenly seeing things click. The satisfaction for this episode CONTINUES to build.


FIGHT TWO BEGINS

== Ross Pearson Vs.Jason Dent

Dent comes out aggressive and misses with a low kick and goes for a left middle kick that Pearson negates with a forearm.

A low inside kick lands for Dent, as a left jab connects for Pearson who then turns it up a notch with a flurry of solid jabs and pushes Dent back against the cage who twists and offers a solid right knee to the ear of Pearson.

Dent underhooks and spins Pearson's back to the cage. Dent lands a knee, but Pearson lands two fists on Dent's forehead

They spin again and now it's Dent on the inside and the dirty boxing ensues! Pearson's tossing some nice leather and Dent eggs him on with a little mini-morpheus action (not a smart move!).

They stand off in the center for a moment but it's Pearson that's got punches that find their way to the end of the tunnel. Dent's able to weather the punches and send back a few of his own as Dent assimilates the blows and moves forward.

With a minute left Pearson sends thru a high kick that connects and he rushes Dent against the cage and lands a crazy solid right hand as Dent arrives against the wire.  It's time for more dirty boxing as they grapple and an uppercut connects for Dent!  A high kick for Pearson hits and he finishes the round with knees, solid punches and they grapple with a minute left.  Dent is starting to wheeze and his kicks are a lot slower than the beginning of the fight.  As a minute left arrives Pearson is the fresher fighter and Dent spins to the inside and they trade center-ring! What a great end to the first round and Dent ends the round with a solid series of combinations.

Round 2

Dent scores a solid low kick that's semi-checked as the round opens. Both corners are pressing combo instructions as the fighters land here and there as they circle in the middle. Pearson responds to two dent-based jabs with a temple-curdling straight right.

They continue to trade center stage with leather being let loose. Pearson has the crisper hands but Dent is there and ready to fight.  As the 3:30 mark arrives Pearson is pinpointing shots while Dent is covering up quite a bit.

Dent tries to push through a single leg and just doesn't seem to have the strength to whip Pearson to the ground is it possible that Dent's endurance is being tested this early? As Dent cups a series of knees, they move back to center ring.

Each time Dent moves in, Pearson is ready with a response that's twice as hard. But Pearson gets hit with a combination that sends him groggy for a moment and Dent moves in with rights, lefts and kicks to the left body that are very effective.  Pearson is able to spin and shoot and ends up taking down Dent and is now in Dent's full guard

With 2 min left Dent is flat on his back with Pearson looking for daylight between gloves. Pearson senses some urgency on Dent's part and quickly steps over his frail guard to side control and out of nowhere - is now in full mount!?

With coach’s incentive, Dent is able to escape to stand with Pearson again. With just over a minute left they're both trading like the fur wranglers of the 1800s against the fence and eventually take a moment to recompose themselves and settle to center ring

Dent shoots for the single leg at 35 seconds left and doesn't get it. He then flops to guard but Pearson sloshes his way somehow to instant side control and lets the fleshy but bony harpoons fly!

With 20 seconds left dent tries an armbar but is getting reasonably pelted with hands and elbows as Pearson falls into Dent's full guard and the round ends.

Round 3

Both fighters are prepped for a final round as the horn engages.  Dent starts with the jab again and lands a series of gut-level kicks and solid hands that put Pearson on the fence.  He circles out and Dent follows. As Dent lands a solid left Pearson lands a harder straight right that snaps back Dent's head.

Pearson then scores an easy double leg takedown and the sauce is being poured on! It's do or die now for Dent - it’s a knockout or nothing.
Dent is trying to stand but Pearson gets to full guard and lands a grand elbow - two - and three.

Several hammerfists land and the largest elbow of the fight lands squarely to the side of Dent's head making a "dent." Dent is trying to escape and tries for an armbar that is foiled and then begins turtling up.

Pearson transitions back into Dents full guard and is landing short elbows.

A giant right lands but just as quick, Dent tries to stand - but can't and turtles again. Pearson, with 15 seconds left is on top and finally the horn sounds.  Smells like British spirit completely.

Ross Pearson wins by decision.

-- Great kudos from Dana for Dent: Recognizing that Jason really did come out of his proverbial shell for this fight, we see a very genuine Dana White appreciate the effort of a burgeoning fighter and again, the satisfaction for this episode continues to grow.

-- 2 UKers in the final against each other?? Wow!: What else can be said about THIS? I now completely understand what Dan Henderson was referring to by "Dana's Nightmare" of there being no UK members left. Imagine if the two Americans had one? They'd be fighting each other as well to see "who goes to Vegas!  Great stuff and an exclamation point on this episode of The Ultimate Fighter on Spike!

--The Savage Science Review Moral: Rising to challenges isn't anything new to fighters on this show or even in the game of mixed martial arts in general. All of these fighters are new, learning more about the people around them but more importantly - about themselves each episode. The "winner" in this episode clearly is the viewer which - isn't that the point of a television show? Each of the fighters made the right decisions and gave everything they had this episode and it shows brilliantly as we get to the end of this episode. I would ask SPIKE to ensure that the rest of this season and next season's "Carnivale" of already established talent remember THIS episode as a landmark bar for reality fight entertainment and make sure that it always reaches at least THIS height. I can only imagine what would happen if that came to fruition, folks.

Quote of the Episode: "My shoulders come out -pull it out". I have separated my shoulder twice in my life. Once during wrestling in high school, and the other time in a car accident and it's all I have to compare to being shot in the shoulder. The pain is excruciating and that Ross is not only familiar with it but able to get back immediately in the game after separating his during practice is astonishing to me. I'm also incredibly surprised that the doctors and people in charge of safety would take Ross as a fighter that has that as an injury that "is an old injury that happens all the time."

Overall Show Rating: It's a pleasure to offer up my first "10" rating of The Ultimate Fighter, and while I've wanted the makers of the show to use this show as a "bar" to base all of the rest of this season and next on, I realize that a 10 score is very hard to attain - but folks - here it IS. Those shows that are looking for samples of what I want to see as an episode of a reality fight show need to realize that if they were to follow this as a pattern for a future series of episode of this series, they'd have GOLD in hand. I give this episode 10 of 10 Savage Skullies and look forward to more great programming from The Ultimate Fighter and will be GLUED to the finale.

I'm still wondering what YOU thought of this and previous episodes 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 The Ultimate Fighter: The US V. The UK in its 9th season!

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