The last two semifinal matches are set and ready to go down this episode. First up in the bantamweight division is Johnny Bedford versus John Dodson, both from Team Miller. Bedford originally called out Dodson as he had issue with Dodson sharing Team Miller information with his friends on Team Bisping. Bedford planned to use his larger size as an advantage to bully Dodson to the ground, but didn’t anticipate Dodson’s take down defense and the power in his hands to be an issue.
The first round of the fight, Bedford pushed the pace with several striking combinations to set up take downs. He was successful in taking Dodson down once, but Dodson bounced right back to his feet. As the fight was kept standing, both fighters were able to land some good shots.
In the second round, Bedford felt comfortable standing with Dodson and continued to kickbox. Dodson took advantage of the situation by sliping inside of Bedford’s reach and landing a solid left punch to his chin. Beford dropped to the ground and was quickly swarmed with Dodson’s hammer punches until the referee stops the fight. The KO was a bad one as when Bedford was brought back to consciousness he told the doctor that he thought he was still in Ohio.
John Dodson defeats Johnny Bedford by KO at 1:00 of round 2.
The night before the last semifinal match of Diego Brandao versus Bryan Caraway, was the last night at the Ultimate Fighter house, so naturally, all the booze started to flow and the boys let loose. Even Mayhem Miller got in on the action in only his underwear and BMX bike which he rode into the pool. Everyone was having fun except Brandao and Caraway who were trying to stay focused on their fights the next day.
Team Miller’s Caraway is a very experienced fighter with 20 professional fights on record. He exposes, however, that he has much self doubt and nervousness prior to the fight, and even considers whether he should continue fighting after the season is complete.
Team Bisping’s Brandao feels that he is the hungrier fighter. He has the motivation to fight through the need to provide a better life for his family back home in Brazil. His hunger truly reflects in his aggressive style of fighting.
The fight only goes one round as Brandao takes the fight directly to Caraway with multiple striking combinations. Brandao eventually connects and drops Caraway to the ground, but Caraway shows to be extremely resilient as he answers the referee’s call to improve a position or to fight back although he is clearly rocked. Brandao finally hits Caraway with a final ground and pound blow that he cannot recover from and the referee stops the match.
Diego Brandao defeats Bryan Caraway via TKO at 4:45 of round 1.
The final card has been set for the finale on December 3, 2011
Main card
- Middleweight bout: Michael Bisping vs. Jason Miller
- Featherweight TUF Finale: Dennis Bermudez vs. Diego Brandao
- Bantamweight TUF Finale: T.J. Dillashaw vs. John Dodson
- Lightweight bout: Tony Ferguson (TUF 13’s winner) vs. Yves Edwards
- Bantamweight bout: Johnny Bedford vs. Louis Gaudinot
Preliminary card
- Featherweight bout: Marcus Brimage vs. Stephen Bass
- Bantamweight bout: Dustin Pague vs. John Albert
- Bantamweight bout: Roland Delorme vs. Josh Ferguson
- Featherweight bout: Steven Siler vs. Josh Clopton
- Featherweight bout: Bryan Caraway vs. Dustin Neace
Before the fights start on Saturday, make sure to get your votes in HERE for your picks for fight of the season, KO of the season, and submission of the season as each winner will be awarded $25,000.00.
