(Props: TheUltimateFighterFX)
The UFC was so damn proud of the Edson Barboza-esque knockout that Uriah Hall laid on Adam Cella during last night’s episode of TUF, that they actually made it available on YouTube along with some extended aftermath footage. And come to think of it, I can’t think of a knockout from the show’s history that was more impressive — or more brutal — than this one, especially considering how long Cella was unconscious. Cella did in fact go to the hospital for a CAT scan when he woke up, but it looks like the black dude in the ambulance that they kept showing in promos was footage from a different fight. (Could be the next one, actually.)
Hall’s win makes him an iron-clad front-runner for the $25,000 Knockout of the Season prize, and puts Team Sonnen up 2-0 in the preliminary round. A couple other notable moments from episode 3…
– While hanging out at the house, Hall makes reference to the fact that Tor Troeng is a “professional cooker.” Josh Samman points out that the actual term for that is “chef.” Hall feels belittled in the exchange, and vows to go after Samman next. It’s such a thin line between life and death.
– Even before the Hall vs. Cella fight happens, Team Sonnen decides that they’re sending in their #6 pick Kevin Casey to fight next. Bubba McDaniel continues to lobby for a fight against Casey, and is once again overlooked, as Team Sonnen selects Casey vs. Collin Hart for next week’s matchup. At this point, it seems like Team Sonnen is intentionally keeping McDaniel on ice just to mess with his head — and it’s definitely working.
Team Sonnen
Luke Barnatt – quarterfinalist, defeated Gilbert Smith
Uriah Hall – quarterfinalist, defeated Adam Cella
Zak Cummings
Tor Troeng
Jimmy Quinlan
Kevin Casey
Kelvin Gastelum
Team Jones
Clint Hester
Josh Samman
Robert “Bubba” McDaniel
Gilbert Smith
Collin Hart
Adam Cella
Dylan Andrews