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LAS VEGAS — For all of one round, Saturday night’s TUF 14 Finale main event was a competitive fight. Unfortunately for Jason “Mayhem” Miller, it was scheduled for five.
The MTV star and Ultimate Fighter coach managed to use his grappling skills to stymie Michael Bisping for most of the first frame, but late in the opening round he began to fade, and his decline only got worse as the fight wore on.
Bisping, meanwhile, got sharper and crisper with his striking as Miller got slower and sloppier, and the result was a mostly one-sided beatdown for the next two rounds that came to a merciful halt at 3:34 of round three.
After the event, Bisping brushed off suggestions that he’d only managed to stop Miller because of fatigue, saying “Any time I stop someone it’s because they gas. I guarantee Jason didn’t gas. I guarantee Jason could have gone five rounds.”
As Bisping saw it, his win wasn’t a result of Miller’s fatigue so much as Miller’s fatigue was a result of the punishment Bisping doled out over the course of the three rounds.
“This was a big opportunity for Jason. I guarantee he had the cardio to go five [rounds],” Bisping said. “Guess what? You might have cardio, but when someone’s landing big body shots like I was, kneeing you in the stomach and punching you repeatedly in the face, your cardio gets affected. The best runners in the world, you kick the [expletive] out of them, they won’t run quite as well.”
Whatever the cause, Miller was running on fumes by the end of the second round. Bisping kept the strikes coming, bloodying Miller’s face and following him around the cage, while all Miller could do in response was wing looping punches and dive for takedowns that got easier and easier for Bisping to avoid. Near the end of the second frame, Miller even put his hands at his sides and taunted Bisping as the Brit teed off on his face.
“I had Charles McCarthy do that back at UFC 83. He did the same thing. That’s normally the sign of a man who hasn’t got anything else to do. They’re trying to get a bit of bravado because they can’t fight back, so they’ll just try and look tough while they’re getting their asses kicked.”
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The end came for Miller after a failed takedown attempt in round three left him turtled up and helpless to respond as Bisping hammered his head and body. When it became clear that Miller was incapable of fighting back, referee Steve Mazzagatti stepped in to stop it.
“This was a satisfying victory,” Bisping said afterward. “Jason jumped on the bandwagon of that a) nobody likes me, and b) I’m not a very good fighter, and I don’t deserve…all the rewards I’ve received for being a professional fighter all this time. He was quick to discredit me, that I was given hand-picked opponents and things like that. That doesn’t sit well with me, and I find it very offensive. It was nice to go out there and teach him a lesson.”
It was particularly satisfying to end the fight via TKO since Miller had criticized him for a lack of power, Bisping said, saying he had “pillow hands.”
“For someone who has no punching power, I do believe the statistic is that seven out of eight of my last opponents have all gone to the hospital. While I’m sitting here doing this, he’s probably in the back of an ambulance.”
Miller was, in fact, taken to a hospital to get checked out, according to UFC officials. Bisping, however, showed little damage aside from a lump above his left eye that he said was the result of an accidental headbutt.
And while the UFC’s announcement of a number one contender bout between Chael Sonnen and Mark Munoz in January likely means that Bisping won’t rocket up to the top of the division as a result of this one win, that’s fine with him, he said — as long as he gets a fight that help to keep moving in that direction.
“I class myself as one of the best in the world. I think I consistently prove that. I want to fight for the belt. I’ve been around the UFC a long time, and that’s what I want to do. That’s what all fighters want to do. Looks like Chael and Mark Munoz, they’re going to fight for number one contender. Fair enough. In the meantime, I want to fight whoever it is that gets me closer to that belt.”
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LAS VEGAS — For all of one round, Saturday night’s TUF 14 Finale main event was a competitive fight. Unfortunately for Jason “Mayhem” Miller, it was scheduled for five.
The MTV star and Ultimate Fighter coach managed to use his grappling skills to stymie Michael Bisping for most of the first frame, but late in the opening round he began to fade, and his decline only got worse as the fight wore on.
Bisping, meanwhile, got sharper and crisper with his striking as Miller got slower and sloppier, and the result was a mostly one-sided beatdown for the next two rounds that came to a merciful halt at 3:34 of round three.
After the event, Bisping brushed off suggestions that he’d only managed to stop Miller because of fatigue, saying “Any time I stop someone it’s because they gas. I guarantee Jason didn’t gas. I guarantee Jason could have gone five rounds.”
As Bisping saw it, his win wasn’t a result of Miller’s fatigue so much as Miller’s fatigue was a result of the punishment Bisping doled out over the course of the three rounds.
“This was a big opportunity for Jason. I guarantee he had the cardio to go five [rounds],” Bisping said. “Guess what? You might have cardio, but when someone’s landing big body shots like I was, kneeing you in the stomach and punching you repeatedly in the face, your cardio gets affected. The best runners in the world, you kick the [expletive] out of them, they won’t run quite as well.”
Whatever the cause, Miller was running on fumes by the end of the second round. Bisping kept the strikes coming, bloodying Miller’s face and following him around the cage, while all Miller could do in response was wing looping punches and dive for takedowns that got easier and easier for Bisping to avoid. Near the end of the second frame, Miller even put his hands at his sides and taunted Bisping as the Brit teed off on his face.
“I had Charles McCarthy do that back at UFC 83. He did the same thing. That’s normally the sign of a man who hasn’t got anything else to do. They’re trying to get a bit of bravado because they can’t fight back, so they’ll just try and look tough while they’re getting their asses kicked.”
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The end came for Miller after a failed takedown attempt in round three left him turtled up and helpless to respond as Bisping hammered his head and body. When it became clear that Miller was incapable of fighting back, referee Steve Mazzagatti stepped in to stop it.
“This was a satisfying victory,” Bisping said afterward. “Jason jumped on the bandwagon of that a) nobody likes me, and b) I’m not a very good fighter, and I don’t deserve…all the rewards I’ve received for being a professional fighter all this time. He was quick to discredit me, that I was given hand-picked opponents and things like that. That doesn’t sit well with me, and I find it very offensive. It was nice to go out there and teach him a lesson.”
It was particularly satisfying to end the fight via TKO since Miller had criticized him for a lack of power, Bisping said, saying he had “pillow hands.”
“For someone who has no punching power, I do believe the statistic is that seven out of eight of my last opponents have all gone to the hospital. While I’m sitting here doing this, he’s probably in the back of an ambulance.”
Miller was, in fact, taken to a hospital to get checked out, according to UFC officials. Bisping, however, showed little damage aside from a lump above his left eye that he said was the result of an accidental headbutt.
And while the UFC’s announcement of a number one contender bout between Chael Sonnen and Mark Munoz in January likely means that Bisping won’t rocket up to the top of the division as a result of this one win, that’s fine with him, he said — as long as he gets a fight that help to keep moving in that direction.
“I class myself as one of the best in the world. I think I consistently prove that. I want to fight for the belt. I’ve been around the UFC a long time, and that’s what I want to do. That’s what all fighters want to do. Looks like Chael and Mark Munoz, they’re going to fight for number one contender. Fair enough. In the meantime, I want to fight whoever it is that gets me closer to that belt.”
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LAS VEGAS — This is the TUF 14 live blog for Michael Bisping vs. Jason “Mayhem” Miller, a middleweight bout on tonight’s UFC on Spike TV event at the Pearl at the Palms.
After coaching opposing teams this season on The Ultimate Fighter, Bisping (21-3) and Miller (24-7) will battle in the cage for the final word. On a three-fight win streak, Bisping (21-3) is looking to stay in the running as a title contender in the UFC’s 185-pound division. Miller is returning to the UFC after fighting in numerous promotions the last six years.
The live blog is below.
Round 1: Miller looks to pressure Bisping early, coming straight in and eating a jab before getting tied up in the clinch against the fence. The crowd breaks into a ‘USA!’ chant, and we’re not more than 30 seconds in. They separate and Bisping tags Miller. He’s showing damage over his right eye already, but I can’t tell if it’s a cut. Miller lands a looping overhand right, then gets a takedown moments later. Bisping is trying to wall-walk up the fence, but Miller has his legs trapped. Miller tries to work some short punches, but can’t do much without letting Bisping get space. Bisping gets to his feet and Miller jumps in with a right. Good counter right by Bisping. Miller responds with a left. Ten seconds left. Miller forces Bisping back and drops for a takedown, but that’s the round.
MMA Fighting scores it 10-9 for Miller.
Round 2: Miller goes back to work with those looping punches, but Bisping is tagging him with straight shots. Blood from the nose of Miller now. Miller shoots for a double-leg and then transitions to a single, but Bisping shuts him down. They both step in with punches and Bisping pulls away, touching his eye. Not sure if he thinks he was poked or what, but Miller didn’t seem like he was buying it. After the restart, Bisping’s striking is looking much crisper than Miller’s, and Miller is starting to slow down. Miller misses a takedown and rolls to his back. Bisping pressures him as he tries to stand, then wings a head kick while Miller is on a knee. That would have been totally illegal if it landed, but it went over Miller’s head. Miller looking very tired now, and Bisping is taking advantage, peppering him with everything he can think of. Miller puts his hands down and taunts Bisping, even as Bisping tees off on his face. Miller tries for a takedown and ends up on his back, getting hammered with elbows and just barely surviving the round. MMA Fighting scores it 10-8 for Bisping.
Round 3: Miller comes out looking for the takedown and Bisping stuffs him again, then adds a kick to the body while he’s down. Miller is running on heart and fumes now, and Bisping is stalking him. Miller is circling away with his back on the fence while Bisping pursues with pinpoint strikes. Bisping stops and complains of another eye poke, but we’re not paused for long. Miller tries for another takedown and ends up turtled up while Bisping slams him with punches and digs knees to his body. Miller rolls to his back and eats more punches. Bisping is pouring it on him and Miller is too tired to do much about it. Referee Steve Mazzagatti has seen enough brutality for one night, and he steps in to stop it. Miller rises and curses to himself. He’s clearly still in possession of his wits, but just totally worn out. Bisping takes a bow in the center of the Octagon, to a mix of cheers and jeers. Hey, at least there were some cheers. Baby steps.
Michael Bisping def. Jason “Mayhem” Miller via TKO (strikes) at 3:34 of round three
After the official announcement, Bisping extends his hand to Miller, who takes it. Beef squashed? Maybe. For now, anyway.
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LAS VEGAS — This is the TUF 14 live blog for Michael Bisping vs. Jason “Mayhem” Miller, a middleweight bout on tonight’s UFC on Spike TV event at the Pearl at the Palms.
After coaching opposing teams this season on The Ultimate Fighter, Bisping (21-3) and Miller (24-7) will battle in the cage for the final word. On a three-fight win streak, Bisping (21-3) is looking to stay in the running as a title contender in the UFC’s 185-pound division. Miller is returning to the UFC after fighting in numerous promotions the last six years.
The live blog is below.
Round 1: Miller looks to pressure Bisping early, coming straight in and eating a jab before getting tied up in the clinch against the fence. The crowd breaks into a ‘USA!’ chant, and we’re not more than 30 seconds in. They separate and Bisping tags Miller. He’s showing damage over his right eye already, but I can’t tell if it’s a cut. Miller lands a looping overhand right, then gets a takedown moments later. Bisping is trying to wall-walk up the fence, but Miller has his legs trapped. Miller tries to work some short punches, but can’t do much without letting Bisping get space. Bisping gets to his feet and Miller jumps in with a right. Good counter right by Bisping. Miller responds with a left. Ten seconds left. Miller forces Bisping back and drops for a takedown, but that’s the round.
MMA Fighting scores it 10-9 for Miller.
Round 2: Miller goes back to work with those looping punches, but Bisping is tagging him with straight shots. Blood from the nose of Miller now. Miller shoots for a double-leg and then transitions to a single, but Bisping shuts him down. They both step in with punches and Bisping pulls away, touching his eye. Not sure if he thinks he was poked or what, but Miller didn’t seem like he was buying it. After the restart, Bisping’s striking is looking much crisper than Miller’s, and Miller is starting to slow down. Miller misses a takedown and rolls to his back. Bisping pressures him as he tries to stand, then wings a head kick while Miller is on a knee. That would have been totally illegal if it landed, but it went over Miller’s head. Miller looking very tired now, and Bisping is taking advantage, peppering him with everything he can think of. Miller puts his hands down and taunts Bisping, even as Bisping tees off on his face. Miller tries for a takedown and ends up on his back, getting hammered with elbows and just barely surviving the round. MMA Fighting scores it 10-8 for Bisping.
Round 3: Miller comes out looking for the takedown and Bisping stuffs him again, then adds a kick to the body while he’s down. Miller is running on heart and fumes now, and Bisping is stalking him. Miller is circling away with his back on the fence while Bisping pursues with pinpoint strikes. Bisping stops and complains of another eye poke, but we’re not paused for long. Miller tries for another takedown and ends up turtled up while Bisping slams him with punches and digs knees to his body. Miller rolls to his back and eats more punches. Bisping is pouring it on him and Miller is too tired to do much about it. Referee Steve Mazzagatti has seen enough brutality for one night, and he steps in to stop it. Miller rises and curses to himself. He’s clearly still in possession of his wits, but just totally worn out. Bisping takes a bow in the center of the Octagon, to a mix of cheers and jeers. Hey, at least there were some cheers. Baby steps.
Michael Bisping def. Jason “Mayhem” Miller via TKO (strikes) at 3:34 of round three
After the official announcement, Bisping extends his hand to Miller, who takes it. Beef squashed? Maybe. For now, anyway.
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LAS VEGAS — This is the TUF 14 Finale live blog for Diego Brandao vs. Dennis Bermudez, a featherweight bout on tonight’s UFC on Spike TV event at the Pearl at the Palms.
Brandao and Bermudez are fighting to determine the season 14 featherweight tournament winner. Brandao (13-7) is an aggressive striker who likes to make quick work of his opponents. Bermudez (7-2) has a wrestling background and finished all three of his fights on the show.
The live blog is below.
Round 1: These two aren’t wasting time. They meet in the center and go right to work. In true Wanderlei Silva fashion (he did come out to his hero’s music), Brandao is putting his head down and winging those hooks. Bermudez briefly gets him down, but can’t keep him there. Good ovrhand right by Brandao. Bermudez forces him into the fence and then flies in with a kick to the body. Big shot by Brandao drops Bermudez, but he doesn’t follow him down and Bermudez is on his feet quickly. Bermudez comes back with a heavy right, and Brandao answers moments later. Brandao runs in with a knee and gets Bermudez down, slamming him back to the mat when tries to rise. Bermudez eventually gets to his feet and takes a glancing head kick on his way out. Brandao walks directly into a crushing right hand and goes down in a heap. I don’t know how his jaw is still attached. Bermudez hammers him with more punches from the top, but Brandao moves just enough to show referee Josh Rosenthal he’s still in it. Less than 30 seconds to go now, and Bermudez is pounding on Brandao. This is close to being stopped, but Brandao rolls for an armbar and locks it up from the bottom, flipping Bermudez over and forcing him to tap right away. Amazing fight, and an amazing finish. One of the best one-round fights of the year, right up there with Nick Diaz-Paul Daley?
Diego Brandao def. Dennis Bermudez via submission (armbar) at 4:51 of round one
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LAS VEGAS — This is the TUF 14 Finale live blog for Diego Brandao vs. Dennis Bermudez, a featherweight bout on tonight’s UFC on Spike TV event at the Pearl at the Palms.
Brandao and Bermudez are fighting to determine the season 14 featherweight tournament winner. Brandao (13-7) is an aggressive striker who likes to make quick work of his opponents. Bermudez (7-2) has a wrestling background and finished all three of his fights on the show.
The live blog is below.
Round 1: These two aren’t wasting time. They meet in the center and go right to work. In true Wanderlei Silva fashion (he did come out to his hero’s music), Brandao is putting his head down and winging those hooks. Bermudez briefly gets him down, but can’t keep him there. Good ovrhand right by Brandao. Bermudez forces him into the fence and then flies in with a kick to the body. Big shot by Brandao drops Bermudez, but he doesn’t follow him down and Bermudez is on his feet quickly. Bermudez comes back with a heavy right, and Brandao answers moments later. Brandao runs in with a knee and gets Bermudez down, slamming him back to the mat when tries to rise. Bermudez eventually gets to his feet and takes a glancing head kick on his way out. Brandao walks directly into a crushing right hand and goes down in a heap. I don’t know how his jaw is still attached. Bermudez hammers him with more punches from the top, but Brandao moves just enough to show referee Josh Rosenthal he’s still in it. Less than 30 seconds to go now, and Bermudez is pounding on Brandao. This is close to being stopped, but Brandao rolls for an armbar and locks it up from the bottom, flipping Bermudez over and forcing him to tap right away. Amazing fight, and an amazing finish. One of the best one-round fights of the year, right up there with Nick Diaz-Paul Daley?
Diego Brandao def. Dennis Bermudez via submission (armbar) at 4:51 of round one
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LAS VEGAS — This is the TUF 14 live blog for John Dodson vs. T.J. Dillashaw, a bantamweight bout on tonight’s UFC on Spike TV event at the Pearl at the Palms.
Dodson faces Dillashaw to determine the season 14 bantamweight tournament winner. Dodson (11-5) is a flashy fighter out of Jackson’s MMA in Albuquerque, N.M. Dillashaw (4-0) is the less experienced fighter, but holds a strong wrestling background.
The live blog is below.
Round 1: Dodson starts of with a straight left counter that clips Dillashaw and sends him staggering back, but he recovers quickly. They trade leg kicks, and already Dodson looks like the quicker fighter. Dodson flicks out a left and then a head kick that stings Dillashaw. Dillashaw walks right into a left hook that catches him behind the ear, and he’s down. Dodson jumps on him with hammer fists, and referee Herb Dean jumps in just as Dodson is rolling to his stomach and looking for a single-leg. Might have been a quick stoppage, but Dillashaw staggers up to his feet and wobbles to one side, still on shaky legs. Dodson, meanwhile, runs up the side of the cage and does a backflip with a half gainer, then sprints across the cage and does the same thing on the other side. That was the most impressive physical feat he’s performed all night.
John Dodson def. T.J. Dillashaw via TKO (punches) at 1:54 of round one
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LAS VEGAS — This is the TUF 14 live blog for John Dodson vs. T.J. Dillashaw, a bantamweight bout on tonight’s UFC on Spike TV event at the Pearl at the Palms.
Dodson faces Dillashaw to determine the season 14 bantamweight tournament winner. Dodson (11-5) is a flashy fighter out of Jackson’s MMA in Albuquerque, N.M. Dillashaw (4-0) is the less experienced fighter, but holds a strong wrestling background.
The live blog is below.
Round 1: Dodson starts of with a straight left counter that clips Dillashaw and sends him staggering back, but he recovers quickly. They trade leg kicks, and already Dodson looks like the quicker fighter. Dodson flicks out a left and then a head kick that stings Dillashaw. Dillashaw walks right into a left hook that catches him behind the ear, and he’s down. Dodson jumps on him with hammer fists, and referee Herb Dean jumps in just as Dodson is rolling to his stomach and looking for a single-leg. Might have been a quick stoppage, but Dillashaw staggers up to his feet and wobbles to one side, still on shaky legs. Dodson, meanwhile, runs up the side of the cage and does a backflip with a half gainer, then sprints across the cage and does the same thing on the other side. That was the most impressive physical feat he’s performed all night.
John Dodson def. T.J. Dillashaw via TKO (punches) at 1:54 of round one
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LAS VEGAS — This is the TUF 14 live blog for Yves Edwards vs. Tony Ferguson, a lightweight bout on tonight’s UFC on Spike TV event at the Pearl at the Palms.
Edwards (41-17-1) won in October with a head kick followed by punches against Rafaello Oliveira. Ferguson (12-2) won the season 13 title in June and went on to beat Aaron Riley at UFC 135.
The live blog is below.
Round 1: Ferguson pumps out the jab as each man tries to gauge the distance. Edwards bounces around on the outside, but makes absolutely no effort to check Ferguson’s leg kicks. Ferguson sees this, and tosses out a couple more in rapid succession. Nice head kick by Edwards fools Ferguson and lands flush, but he takes it well. Edwards digs to the body and then chops at the leg. Ferguson goes to work with a nasty uppercut that just misses its mark. More stinging leg kicks by Ferguson. There’s that uppercut again, and this time it may have clipped Edwards. Ferguson flips out a straight right and Edwards is on wobbly legs. Ferguson goes on the attack and Edwards is barely staying upright. He recovers another to smack Ferguson with another head kick that stops the assault. Edwards goes for a takedown and Ferguson rolls into a nifty oma plata before the round ends.
MMA Fighting scores it 10-9 for Ferguson.
Round 2: Round 2: Edwards punches his way in and takes a right hand behind the ear. Moments later Edwards catches Ferguson coming in and cracks him with a brutal right, followed by a head kick. Somehow Ferguson maintains his poker face, but Edwards looks positively menacing as he presses the attack. Ferguson weathers it well and blows a mix of blood and snot out his nose once the onslaught subsides. That might not have been a great idea if his nose is broken, which it may well be. Ferguson lands that right uppercut again and Edwards may have gone cross-eyed for just a moment. A looping left hand from Edwards smacks of Ferguson’s jaw. Seconds later, there’s that head kick again. Ferguson’s corner screams for him to get his hands up. He’s getting caught with that entirely too much. Edwards tries for a takedown in the final 30 seconds, but Ferguson defends and then gets one of his own before the horn. MMA Fighting scores it 10-9 for Edwards.
Round 3: Round 3: Brutal, close fight so far, and neither man looks too tired as they start the final round. Ferguson does a nice job of staying in the pocket and landing some sharp counterpunches, but Edwards comes back with that head kick yet again. They trade kicks, and Edwards seems a tad reluctant to trade in close. “Get ready to drop that hammer,” says Ferguson’s corner. Another Edwards head kick sends sweat flying off Ferguson’s head. He tries to respond, but it’s blocked. Edwards is touching Ferguson to the body, but getting out of there in a hurry. Stiff right pops Edwards’ head back. Both men feeling a sense of urgency in the final minute, and Edwards gets the blood flowing from Ferguson’s nose again with a looping right. Good left hand from Edwards before the horn, and they two men exchange smiles, confident in the performance they put on. As for how this decision will go, neither can feel terribly confident right now. MMA Fighting scores it 10-9 for Edwards, but the consensus opinion on press row is that the last round is almost a toss-up.
Tony Ferguson def. Yves Edwards via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Edwards looks stunned, and there’s a lot of eye-rolling on press row at the two 30-27s.
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LAS VEGAS — This is the TUF 14 live blog for Yves Edwards vs. Tony Ferguson, a lightweight bout on tonight’s UFC on Spike TV event at the Pearl at the Palms.
Edwards (41-17-1) won in October with a head kick followed by punches against Rafaello Oliveira. Ferguson (12-2) won the season 13 title in June and went on to beat Aaron Riley at UFC 135.
The live blog is below.
Round 1: Ferguson pumps out the jab as each man tries to gauge the distance. Edwards bounces around on the outside, but makes absolutely no effort to check Ferguson’s leg kicks. Ferguson sees this, and tosses out a couple more in rapid succession. Nice head kick by Edwards fools Ferguson and lands flush, but he takes it well. Edwards digs to the body and then chops at the leg. Ferguson goes to work with a nasty uppercut that just misses its mark. More stinging leg kicks by Ferguson. There’s that uppercut again, and this time it may have clipped Edwards. Ferguson flips out a straight right and Edwards is on wobbly legs. Ferguson goes on the attack and Edwards is barely staying upright. He recovers another to smack Ferguson with another head kick that stops the assault. Edwards goes for a takedown and Ferguson rolls into a nifty oma plata before the round ends.
MMA Fighting scores it 10-9 for Ferguson.
Round 2: Round 2: Edwards punches his way in and takes a right hand behind the ear. Moments later Edwards catches Ferguson coming in and cracks him with a brutal right, followed by a head kick. Somehow Ferguson maintains his poker face, but Edwards looks positively menacing as he presses the attack. Ferguson weathers it well and blows a mix of blood and snot out his nose once the onslaught subsides. That might not have been a great idea if his nose is broken, which it may well be. Ferguson lands that right uppercut again and Edwards may have gone cross-eyed for just a moment. A looping left hand from Edwards smacks of Ferguson’s jaw. Seconds later, there’s that head kick again. Ferguson’s corner screams for him to get his hands up. He’s getting caught with that entirely too much. Edwards tries for a takedown in the final 30 seconds, but Ferguson defends and then gets one of his own before the horn. MMA Fighting scores it 10-9 for Edwards.
Round 3: Round 3: Brutal, close fight so far, and neither man looks too tired as they start the final round. Ferguson does a nice job of staying in the pocket and landing some sharp counterpunches, but Edwards comes back with that head kick yet again. They trade kicks, and Edwards seems a tad reluctant to trade in close. “Get ready to drop that hammer,” says Ferguson’s corner. Another Edwards head kick sends sweat flying off Ferguson’s head. He tries to respond, but it’s blocked. Edwards is touching Ferguson to the body, but getting out of there in a hurry. Stiff right pops Edwards’ head back. Both men feeling a sense of urgency in the final minute, and Edwards gets the blood flowing from Ferguson’s nose again with a looping right. Good left hand from Edwards before the horn, and they two men exchange smiles, confident in the performance they put on. As for how this decision will go, neither can feel terribly confident right now. MMA Fighting scores it 10-9 for Edwards, but the consensus opinion on press row is that the last round is almost a toss-up.
Tony Ferguson def. Yves Edwards via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Edwards looks stunned, and there’s a lot of eye-rolling on press row at the two 30-27s.
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Filed under: UFCThe final season of The Ultimate Fighter on Spike TV is in the books, and only Saturday night’s TUF 14 Finale stands between us and the end of an era. Don’t get misty on me just yet, though. Blink away those tears and enjoy some thought…
Filed under: UFC
The final season of The Ultimate Fighter on Spike TV is in the books, and only Saturday night’s TUF 14 Finale stands between us and the end of an era. Don’t get misty on me just yet, though. Blink away those tears and enjoy some thoughts, questions, predictions and observations before it all comes crashing down.
I. The UFC and Spike TV are going to kick each other in the balls all the way to the bitter end. That’s how White characterized Spike’s decision to counter-program one of the UFC’s events on Versus, and he hinted that he might find a way to land a groin strike of his own before it was all over. This week, with a live TUF Finale set to air on the network, he has. No open workouts. No media events at all to promote the show. If UFC.com was your only source of information, you probably wouldn’t even know Spike TV was still a network, let alone one that’s airing tonight’s UFC event. I realize that it’s strictly business, but it still feels a little sad. These two were so young and so in love once. There was a time when the UFC and Spike needed and appreciated one another. Now, with the relationship coming to an end, it feels like the fighters on this card are children caught in the crossfire of a bitter divorce.
II. And how are the fighters holding up during this nasty split? Depends who you ask. “Mayhem” Miller is so used to the old Strikeforce way of doing things, he didn’t even notice what an unusual fight week this was (until we told him). Michael Bisping, on the other hand, definitely notices. He also seems not totally thrilled about fighting on a Spike TV card in the cramped Pearl at the Palms rather than on a pay-per-view in a big arena, but he’s too much of a company man to complain publicly. The TUF finalists? They’re just happy to be here; they don’t know any better. In the grand scheme of things, this probably won’t change anyone’s life. One way or another, the fights that are worth seeing will get seen, and the UFC and Spike will both move on. As Miller said when I talked to him for this SI.com story, “They have their own battles. My battle is in a pair of tight shorts.”
III. Speaking of “Mayhem,” the man is so oddly calm heading into this fight that I fear he might have to change his nickname. Granted, Jason “Mild Disorder” Miller doesn’t sound anywhere near as cool, but the wildman we used to know seems to have given way to a mature, responsible individual. It’s weird, and even he thinks so. This is the same guy who used to dive on tables full of drinks at L.A. nightclubs. Now he almost seems like someone you’d trust to watch your kids, or at least your dog. Maybe it’s a consequence of age. Maybe the trials and tribulations of his last year with Strikeforce matured him a little. If Miller can shed some of the mercurial behavior that’s cost him in his career, yet keep the same fire in the cage, he might really go places in the UFC.
IV. Bisping, on the other hand, is about as calm as a hurricane. But then, anybody who attended Friday’s weigh-ins already knew that. He looked like he was about to explode when he stepped out on the stage, and the incessant boos didn’t do much to settle his spirits. Bisping’s an emotional guy, so maybe it will help him to go out there with a little extra fury in his fists. Then again, this is a five-rounder. If it goes into the late rounds with Miller grinding away at him, you have to wonder whether he might expend all that emotional energy too soon.
V. If you’re betting against Diego Brandao’s takedown defense, you might want to think twice. He’s been at Greg Jackson’s gym working with some excellent wrestlers of late, and the guys in that camp feel that his takedown defense has come a long way even in the short time since the show. That makes it seem unlikely that Dennis Bermudez will get by on wrestling alone in this fight. Even if he does manage to put the terrifying Brazilian on his back, it’s hard to see Bermudez finishing him there. That means he’ll have to ride it out for three rounds, which is a risky prospect against a guy with Brandao’s aggression and power. If you ask Bisping, he’ll tell you that this is a mismatch in Brandao’s favor. Unfortunately for Bermudez, he might be right.
VI. At least T.J. Dillashaw and John Dodson agree on one thing: they need to entertain rather than win at all costs. That’s what both were saying earlier this week, anyway. They have a good point, when you really think about it. The 135-pound division is still thin enough that the loser of this fight won’t get cast out into the darkness. Dodson is probably biding his time until the 125-pound class starts up in the UFC, and Dillashaw is a good-looking kid who the UFC will want to keep around for at least one more go, especially since bantamweights with any name recognition are in short supply these days. All they really have to do is put on a show. That said, it’s better to win than to lose, and don’t think for a second that either of them has forgotten that.
VII. The real victims of the UFC-Spike TV cold war? Yves Edwards and Tony Ferguson. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but that’s a hell of a good fight for free TV. It’s just a shame that it’s getting completely ignored. What really shocked me was when I went and looked at the betting odds and saw that Ferguson is a 3-1 favorite. Don’t get me wrong, he’s looked good in his last two fights, while Edwards is probably on the downslope of a prolific career. At the same time, you can’t count out a guy with that much experience in the art of Thug-jitsu.
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LAS VEGAS — For all of one round, Saturday night’s TUF 14 Finale main event was a competitive fight. Unfortunately for Jason “Mayhem” Miller, it was scheduled for five. 
LAS VEGAS — This is the TUF 14 live blog for 
LAS VEGAS — This is the TUF 14 Finale live blog for 
LAS VEGAS — This is the TUF 14 live blog for 
LAS VEGAS — This is the TUF 14 live blog for 
The final season of The Ultimate Fighter on Spike TV is in the books, and only Saturday night’s