We begin taking a look at the bizarre fight from last week with Jon Manley choking out James Chaney and in an unorthodox play not found in any jiu-jitsu playbook Chaney bit the Team Nelson fighter in the ribs, I’m sure Eddie Bravo was proud.
Chaney has a sit down with UFC President Dana White to explain his actions. He admitted to doing so and probably saved himself from getting some more serious action or consequences laid on him for doing so.
We return to the house where people argue and try to get their sixteenth minute of fame. Here, Julian Lane poked fun at the military that made Colton Smith fire back as they both exchanged words and Lane I guess he “wanted to bang” again.
Dom Waters played peacemaker a little in between them and eventually once they cooled their jets Lane and Smith settled their differences.
We get a little bit of back story on Waters as he preps for his fight with Mike Ricci about his time in the military before cutting to a training session as he hits pads, actually looked pretty impressive.
Mike Ricci gets some spotlight time, speaking of getting in childhood fights and his beginnings in jiu-jitsu learning from the words of wisdom from Renzo Gracie and the influence on his career from this dude named George St. Pierre, you might have heard of him.
Ricci is really defensive about most seeing him as a pretty boy that cannot be dangerous, it almost feels like he’s out to point out that he’s dangerous when he speaks.
Mike Ricci vs. Dom Waters
Round 1:
Steve Mazagatti is in charge of the action and he didn’t say “Bring it on, c’mon” so I already like him more than usual. We begin with Ricci being effective with his kick to maintain distance using the leg kick and high kick. Ricci again tries for the high kick but Waters is throwing wild haymakers. Ricci throws a kick and the Californian looks for a takedown but Ricci avoids danger. The Canadian is landing his shots and circling away. Waters fires off with a pair of high kicks before a stale-mate is closed with a Ricci leg kick. Ricci lands a leg kick before Waters charges with a looping haymaker that misses and presses the Tristar product against the cage. Waters lands knees and tries to force it to the floor but Ricci keeps it on the feet to close the round, 10-9 Mike Ricci.
Round 2:
Ricci fires goes low with the kick and Waters goes high with a haymaker before pressing for a takedown but Ricci gets towards the cage and wall walks. Waters presses him against the wall and lands knees as he tries to take his back. Waters lifts him up and slams him to the canvas and lands shots inside Ricci’s guard. Ricci is active from his back and manages to scramble and get back to the cage to wall-walk again and back to the feet in a clinch we go. Waters peppers with knees before Ricci drops to the ground and stands up immediately, showing signs of fatigue. Ricci is able to turn the tide and press Waters against the cage after a failed takedown attempt. Waters scrambles and takes the back of the Canadian with seconds left on the clock as he lands shots, 10-9 Dom Waters.
As seems to be the trend with this series of TUF, we are headed to a third and final frame.
Round 3:
Ricci takes the center with a leg kick before Waters pushes for a takedown and gives up his neck in the process but before the Tristar product can capitalize he slams him to the ground. In side control against the cage in an awkward situation before Waters scrambles looking to take his back and Ricci pounces to take top position. Ricci has success landing shots on top before Waters almost escapes but he returns to his guard on top again. While posturing up Waters attempts a triangle-choke but is unable to secure it. After scrambling again Ricci has his back landing shots and eventually secured half-guard with 90 seconds on the clock. In full guard Ricci lands shots as Waters tries to escape but the clock runs down, 10-9 Mike Ricci.
Mike Ricci defeats Dom Waters by Unanimous Decision
After the fight Waters is clearly upset, at first he apologizes to those he let down before soon taking I it back because he fought his hardest and rightfully so.
We go to Dana, alongside Nelson and Carwin as they bring in the fighters to ask who they want to fight. After spotlighting their Canadian-bred friendship earlier Ricci breaks that stating he wants to fight Michael Hill. On the flipside, Hill says he will fight anyone, but would rather avoid Ricci.
Hill leaves frustrated that “you can’t trust your fellow bro” as he lives up to every douchebaggery-ridden UFC fan stereotype.
Setting up the next set of fights, Bristol Marunde will meet Neil Magny. Plus, Igor Arugou meets Colton Smith.
The following week we get Joey Rivera paired up with Jon Manley and by process of elimination we get Mike Ricci and Michael Hill in some Canada-versus-Canada action.
