With the two semi-final fights on lock, pitting teammate versus teammate in both bouts, both teams have a chance to give their feedback about their coaches’ coaching style.
As expected, the Team Nelson members are less than impressed. The sporadic practices and the lack of synergy behind the team left them with a jaded feeling. Roy Nelson felt that the team did not follow his instruction and blames his team for their lacking performances.
John Manley vs. Colton Smith
Round 1:
As Herb Dean starts the action Smith takes uses his wrestling advantage to initiate a clinch against the fence. That lasts the first minute until Manley is able to circle off the cage. Colton throws a few punches to regain his clinch and wears down Manley with several knees to the legs. Eventually he is able to trip Manley and ends up in his butterfly guard. Colton attempts a standing pass and ends up in Manley’s quarter guard. Manley whizzers and is able to make it to his knees and stands up, only to be clinched and pinned into the fence for the last minute of the round.
10-9 Colton Smith
Round 2:
More of the same grinding wrestling from Smith as in round 1. Smith establishes a clinch and takes down Manley. Manley again makes his way back to his feet off a strong whizzer. Colton shows his confidence in this fight as he bounces around in a taller boxing stance to bait Manley into a fist fight, only to rush in, establish the clinch and go for a takedown. Rinse and repeat a couple more times until the last minute of the round where Manley attempts a double leg. Colton defends with a strong sprawl and a takedown off the cage of his own and finishes the round on top, raining down punches.
10-9 Colton Smith
Round 3:
Colton Smith is clearly in the driver’s seat. Colton spends the first minute and a half dancing around John with confidence. Then he reestablishes his original game plan. John is driven to the cage, and Colton dominates the clinch with elbows and strong pummeling. Colton disengages for the last 2 minutes. He circles backwards awaiting for Manley to engage. As Manley attempts to throw his haymakers, Colton wrestles Manley to the cage, and finishes the round dominantly.
10-9 Colton Smith
Colton Smith wins the unanimous decision, and a spot in the finale. Colton, a former Army Ranger, gives a shout out to the US armed forces with his win.
On the flip side, Team Carwin felt like they had a growth filled experience on the show. They said they had the best coaches, best team, and the best unity.
Mike Ricci vs. Neal Magny
Round 1:
This fight is a major style contrast from the first bout. Both fighters decide to keep the fight standing in the first minute, gauging distance and timing. Magny attempts a double leg takedown, but Ricci threatens with a standing kimura which forces Magny to disengage. More kickboxing ensues. No clean shots are dealt until Ricci delivers a right to the body and a straight left to Magny’s face that sends him falling backward, but still conscious. Magny pulls guard to regain his bearings, as Ricci rushes in to finish the fight. Magny makes his way to the fence and attempts a wall walk to get to his feet. Magny stands up with his hands down and Ricci delivers a horizontal left elbow from hell, that immediately drops Magny out cold, and forces Steve Mazzagatti to end the fight.
Ricci by round 1 KO
Ricci was crying at the end of the fight as he was forced to hurt one of his friends to get to the finals.
The stage is set for Mike Ricci of Team Carwin versus Colton Smith of Team Nelson to be the co-main event on the TUF 16 Finale on December 15, 2012, live from the Hard Rock in Las Vegas.
