Filed under: UFCLAS VEGAS – Every season of “The Ultimate Fighter” has a villain. After the season, that villain usually wants to let the world know that he’s not really a villain, he just plays one – or is portrayed as one through editing – on TV.
LAS VEGAS – Every season of “The Ultimate Fighter” has a villain. After the season, that villain usually wants to let the world know that he’s not really a villain, he just plays one – or is portrayed as one through editing – on TV.
Tony Ferguson is the Season 13 villain, and on Thursday, two days ahead of his fight in the finale against Ramsey Nijem, he said he’s looking forward to making amends for his actions late in the season, when he was shown commenting about housemate Charlie Rader’s family situation, setting off this season’s biggest house brouhaha.
“I figured out a hell of a lot about myself, especially watching that episode,” Ferguson said Thursday after a workout at The Palms Casino Resort. “I figured out that’s not the kind of person I want to be. That’s not the example I want to set for kids. I said I wanted to make some changes, and I have.”
Ferguson (10-2) spent a month and a half training with Team Death Clutch, the famed camp run for former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar in Alexandria, Minn. Lesnar was Ferguson’s coach on the show, and Ferguson said it was the work he put in while on the show that led to Lesnar not only inviting him to Minnesota to train, but sponsoring him with his Death Clutch apparel brand.
“He saw something good in me,” Ferguson said. “You guys all know Brock – he ain’t gonna spend time with someone if he doesn’t want to. So he (and coach Marty Morgan) must have seen something good in me.”
That good, Ferguson believes, came not just from his performances on the show – three knockouts to reach the finals – but how he carried himself during training.
“If you’re doing your own thing, you’re doing the right thing,” Ferguson said. “I kept to myself, and Brock saw that and he saw that I didn’t need to be told exactly what to do. … When it was a wrap, Brock brought me into the room with coach Marty and kicked all the other guys out and said, ‘I don’t want you guys telling nobody (about training in Minnesota). This is just us.’ Brock allowed me to be inside his family group, and that was the coolest thing in the world. That guy is a role model like crazy, no matter what anybody says about Brock.”
When it comes to public perceptions, Ferguson might also look to Lesnar for advice. Lesnar was vilified even before he stepped foot in the UFC due to his WWE pro wrestling background. A post-victory speech at UFC 100 after a vicious win over Frank Mir also rubbed many fans the wrong way, forcing the star heavyweight to apologize, make some amends and at least reconsider his public persona.
Ferguson said having viewers of the show not like him after the last two episodes aired is new territory for him. And while he accepts the likelihood that Nijem will be the fan favorite for this fight, he thinks he can change things.
“This is the first time that people have been mad at me, which just adds more fuel to my fire,” Ferguson said. “But I don’t like that – I want to turn it around. That’s the biggest thing that Brock saw – that’s why he invited me.”
Ferguson will also be the betting underdog in the fight, coming in at +110 to Nijem’s -140, even though he has more than twice as much professional experience. At 10-2, nine of his pro wins have come by stoppage.
But Ferguson said he simply believes winning on Saturday is his destiny, and that he belongs “amongst the greatest.”
“I always want to be the underdog,” Ferguson said. “This is my time. I’ve been putting in my time day in and day out. I’ve had those office cubicles where everyone hates it, and nobody wants it – but nobody really does anything. They just settle for it. I don’t want to settle. This is exactly where I need to be. This is what I deserve, and I need to be the next Ultimate Fighter.”
Ferguson and Nijem fight in the main event of the TUF 13 Finale on Saturday at The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas. The main card, which also features a lightweight contenders fight between Clay Guida and Anthony Pettis, airs live on Spike TV at 9 p.m. Eastern.
Our host, Steve Cofield has a little fun cozying up to George Roop in his hotel bed and talks a do or die performance against Josh Grispi this weekend at the TUF 13 Finale as.
Our host, Steve Cofield has a little fun cozying up to George Roop in his hotel bed and talks a do or die performance against Josh Grispi this weekend at the TUF 13 Finale as his future in the UFC may depend on a win. Showing his lighter side, Roop tells shows us that the only chicks you can pick up in Vegas with a neck beard are the kind you gotta pay for. Watch the exclusive video below:
Kyle Kingsbury tells host, Steve Cofield about his decision to train with Victor Conte who was caught helping top athletes use illegal drugs to enhance their performances. Kingsbury obviously believes in second chances and new.
Kyle Kingsbury tells host, Steve Cofield about his decision to train with Victor Conte who was caught helping top athletes use illegal drugs to enhance their performances. Kingsbury obviously believes in second chances and new age training methods, which is why he currently trains with Conte, coming into his TUF 13 Finale fight against Fabio Maldonado. Watch the exclusive video below:
We caught up with Ed Herman as he prepares to fight Tim Credeur this weekend at the TUF 13 Finale. Herman is healthy from an knee injury that’s kept him out of the cage for.
We caught up with Ed Herman as he prepares to fight Tim Credeur this weekend at the TUF 13 Finale. Herman is healthy from an knee injury that’s kept him out of the cage for almost 2 years. He reflects on his TUF 3 season and is still surprised Kalib Starnes was not successful in the UFC. Herman also mentions he’s been getting lots of hugs from Credeur this week.
Our host, Steve Cofield also talks to Tim Credeur who himself hasn’t fought for over a year and a half due to an abnormal brain scan which has since been cleared as a sort of “freckle” on the brain. Credeur likes showing Herman his love. Watch the videos below:
(Ramsey jacks Chris’s swagger before their semi-final match. Props: IronForgesIron.com)
Following last week’s “Where’s your kid?” fiasco, Tony Ferguson is persona non grata in the TUF house. He tries to strike up a conversation with Chuck O’Neil in the kitchen and gets brutally cold-shouldered. “He’s burnt every last bridge in this house,” Chuck explains. “He’s burnt a bridge with everybody.”
Tony finally gets a clue and apologizes to everybody — or at least tries to — claiming that he drank too much, blacked out, and doesn’t really remember what he said. Chuck ain’t having it: “I was disgusted by what you said last night. For you to put Charlie’s kid’s name in your mouth, and for him not to hit you in the face, that shows what kind of person he is, because all of us wanted to fucking kill you.” The other guys aren’t interested in making up with Tony either, and he eventually gives up. On the bright side, he didn’t come here to make friends, so at least he succeeded on that level.
Both semi-finals are slated to go down on this episode, starting with Chris Cope (Team Lesnar) vs. Ramsey Nijem (Team Dos Santos). They “woo!” at each other during the weigh-in. And it’s already time for somebody’s dreams to be crushed…
(Ramsey jacks Chris’s swagger before their semi-final match. Props: IronForgesIron.com)
Following last week’s “Where’s your kid?” fiasco, Tony Ferguson is persona non grata in the TUF house. He tries to strike up a conversation with Chuck O’Neil in the kitchen and gets brutally cold-shouldered. “He’s burnt every last bridge in this house,” Chuck explains. “He’s burnt a bridge with everybody.”
Tony finally gets a clue and apologizes to everybody — or at least tries to — claiming that he drank too much, blacked out, and doesn’t really remember what he said. Chuck ain’t having it: “I was disgusted by what you said last night. For you to put Charlie’s kid’s name in your mouth, and for him not to hit you in the face, that shows what kind of person he is, because all of us wanted to fucking kill you.” The other guys aren’t interested in making up with Tony either, and he eventually gives up. On the bright side, he didn’t come here to make friends, so at least he succeeded on that level.
Both semi-finals are slated to go down on this episode, starting with Chris Cope (Team Lesnar) vs. Ramsey Nijem (Team Dos Santos). They “woo!” at each other during the weigh-in. And it’s already time for somebody’s dreams to be crushed…
Round 1: Ramsey and Chris circle around each other for a moment, then Ramsey storms forward like a madman, winging punches and making Chris immediately retreat. Ramsey clinches up with Chris, pulls back to fire some more shots, then drops low for a takedown. Chris is as crafty as ever and stays upright. He starts punching down on Ramsey’s head. They trade knees. Ramsey connects with a sharp one. They separate and Ramsey goes apeshit with the punches again. He lands a knee then shoots. Chris sprawls, and they’re locked against the cage again. Ramsey drops even lower, grabbing for a foot; Chris pounds the top of his head but doesn’t go down. Ramsey gets up and there’s more knees from each side. Chris gets in more punches to Ramsey’s noggin. A knee from Chris. Ramsey returns one. Steve Mazzagatti breaks ‘em. Chris sticks the jab. Ramsey misses a 1-2, but lands a follow-up jab. Teep-kick from Ramsey. Leg kick Chris. Ramsey jabs to the body. Chris lands another leg kick. Ramsey tries to rush forward with punches but Chris dodges. Another combo from Ramsey and the horn sounds. Chris did well blocking the takedowns and working his dirty boxing, but I’d still give it to Ramsey 10-9 for aggression.
Round 2: Sharp leg kick from Chris to open the round. Ramsey comes in with a 1-2-shoot and finally gets a takedown, but Chris quickly escapes to his feet. Ramsey kicks him in the ribs as they separate. Stiff jab frim Ramsey as Chris advances. Ramsey throws a wide overhand right. And again. He clinches up. Chris scores with a knee and punches. Chris rolls out and gets mobbed by Ramsey’s punches and knees. A couple more straight punches make Chris wilt to the mat and Ramsey pours it on until the ref pulls him off. Ramsey Nijem def. Chris Cope via TKO, and advances to the finals of TUF 13.
…which brings us to the Tony Ferguson vs. Chuck O’Neil grudge match. Brock considers Ferguson to be his best guy, while O’Neil is Dana White’s underdog pick. “I’ve become a Chuck fan,” DW says. “He’s tough and gritty and really wants to win.”
“I don’t respect Tony as a person,” Chuck says before the fight. “I respect him as a fighter and that’s where the line stops.”
“If he brings emotion to a fight, that’s not the best way to do it,” Tony says. “When you bring emotion to a fight you don’t think clear.” But enough talk…
Round 1: They both land punches right away. Leg kick Tony. Chuck returns it. Tony jabs, Chuck counters. It’s a very tense, evenly pitched opening. Tony with another leg kick. Chuck lands a high kick, and counters with a right after Tony misses a punch. 1-2-left kick from Chuck. A hard hook from Tony. Tony jabs, and takes a quick leg kick from Chuck. Chuck jabs, Tony fires the straight. Chuck lands a couple shots moving backwards. Leg kick Chuck. Another straight from Tony, but Chuck counters harder. Tony shoots for an ankle, misses it. But he follows up with a superman punch and lands it flush. Chuck tries one of his own but misses. Leg kick Chuck. Jab Tony. Chuck throws a leg kick and Tony charges in with strikes. Tony catches a body kick and dumps Chuck on the mat, but doesn’t follow him down. Tony with a wide hook. Chuck throws a body kick. He lands a jab. Tony lands a clean straight right before the bell. Close round, with both guys trading shots back and forth.
Round 2: Inside leg kick from Chuck. Tony responds with his own. Tony catches a body kick and drives Chuck back. Leg kick Tony. Tony stalks forward, gets in a left hook. Leg kick Chuck. Tony lands his jab, and then a hard right. Tony on the attack. He scores with a leg kick. Chuck pops a jab. Two more leg kicks from Tony; he’s focusing on the inside of Chuck’s left leg now. Chuck gives one back. Tony landing some precision strikes. Chuck throws 1-2-leg kick. Tony with a leg kick. He throws at the body, chases Chuck down, punishes his leg some more. Chuck’s nose is bloodied. Tony works his jab, Chuck returns a straight. Leg kick Tony. Chuck tries a spinning back kick but whiffs. Chuck retreating, Tony lands a flying knee to the body at the bell. It’s a clear 10-9 for Tony, and Chuck looks beaten down. But hey, anything can happen in the third, right?
Round 3: Chuck throws an uppercut, eats a jab, then a leg kick. Tony fires again at that leg, then throws a straight punch. Chuck lands a body kick and rolls away. Tony chasing with the leg kicks and punches. He lands the leg kick again, and Chuck is really feeling them now; his leg is getting blasted off the mat with each one, and he’s setting it back down gingerly. Tony with a hard hook to the body, and Chuck returns a punch to the head. Another leg kick from Tony. A jab, and two more leg kicks. Chuck returns some punches, but he’s walking backwards the whole round. Tony fires high and low with his punches. Chuck tries a push kick. Tony lands a hook and a right straight, and Chuck has clearly had enough. He drops to the mat, almost welcoming a finish — but it doesn’t come. Tony backs off after a few hammerfists and makes Chuck stand, which is not an easy thing to do at this point. Tony almost changes his mind and launches back on as Chuck gamely hobbles to his feet, but Herb Dean allows Chuck to get up cleanly. Another leg kick from Tony, and a hook, a hard right, and another leg kick. One more leg kick, followed by a long straight and a body shot and Chuck crumbles to the mat once again. Herb has seen enough and puts Chuck out of his misery. Tony Ferguson def. Chuck O’Neil via TKO, and advances to the finals of TUF 13.
And so, this Saturday’s TUF 13 welterweight final will be Tony vs. Ramsey — two guys who have sliced through this season’s bracket, scoring three-straight stoppages apiece. It’s a striker vs. wrestler matchup…Tony is just slightly scarier, that’s all.
At the end of the episode, we get a segment about Brock Lesnar’s withdrawal from the Junior Dos Santos bout due to diverticulitis. “You focus on getting healthy, all that other bullshit I’ll handle,” Dana says.
Following last night’s show, three more matchups were announced for the TUF 13 Finale (which we’ll be liveblogging, by the way):
– Chris Cope vs. Chuck O’Neil. The third-place bout between the season’s losing semi-finalists, both from Team Lesnar. This bout will be aired on the live Spike TV main card, which kicks off at 9 p.m. ET.
– Justin Edwards vs. Clay Harvison. Justin “Small Randy” Edwards was the Team Dos Santos member who got knocked out by Tony Ferguson in the preliminary round and couldn’t come back in the wild card fight because of his resulting medical suspension. Harvison (Team Lesnar) defeated Mick Bowman by decision in the preliminary round, but was subbed by Ramsey in the quarter-finals.
– Shamar Bailey vs. Ryan McGillivray. Bailey (Team Dos Santos) outpointed Nordin Asrih in the preliminary round, but lost a decision to Chris Cope in the quarter-finals. McGillivray (also Team Dos Santos) eliminated Len Bentley via decision in the opening round, but was TKO’d by Tony Ferguson in the quarters.
Filed under: UFC, NewsLAS VEGAS – Following Wednesday’s final regular-season episode of “The Ultimate Fighter,” the UFC has filled its fight card for Saturday’s TUF 13 Finale.
In the championship bout to crown the next “Ultimate Fighter,” finalists R…
LAS VEGAS – Following Wednesday’s final regular-season episode of “The Ultimate Fighter,” the UFC has filled its fight card for Saturday’s TUF 13 Finale.
In the championship bout to crown the next “Ultimate Fighter,” finalists Ramsey Nijem and Tony Ferguson will meet for the title and a guaranteed UFC contract. The two welterweights won their semifinal fights in an episode that aired Wednesday night on Spike TV. Additionally, the UFC has made official for the televised main card a bout pitting losing semifinalists Chris Cope and Chuck O’Neil against each other.
And four other TUF 13 cast members will see action against each other on the preliminary card on Saturday: Shamar Bailey vs. Ryan McGillivray and Justin Edwards vs. Clay Harvison. The UFC and Spike made those fights official Thursday morning.
Bailey, a Strikeforce veteran, was one of this season’s favorites and was coach Junior dos Santos’ top pick. He advanced to the quarterfinals, but was upset there by Cope. The Indianapolis firefighter has trained alongside UFC vets Chris Lytle and Matt Mitrione, both also veterans of “The Ultimate Fighter.” His opponent, McGillivray, was dos Santos’ second pick. He, too, lost his quarterfinal fight. The five-year Canadian veteran started his career with Maximum Fighting Championships in Canada. Nine of the 11 wins in his pro career have come by submission.
Edwards, who trains in Ohio with Jorge Gurgel, lost his first fight in the house to Ferguson, who went on to reach Saturday’s finals. In his pro career, Edwards is 6-0 – with six first-round stoppages. The last five have come by submission with four by guillotine. Four of his wins have come in less than one minute. Edwards’ second pro fight was for Bellator, and he also has a win over Josh Rafferty, from TUF 1, on his resume. Harvison, who fought for Brock Lesnar‘s team, won his first fight this season before losing to Nijem in the quarterfinals. The 6-1 pro has fought all seven of his bouts in Georgia, and all six of his wins have come in the first round.
Seven of the eight quarterfinalists from TUF 13 are on Saturday’s card. Only Zach Davis is absent, replaced by Edwards. Davis lost a quarterfinal fight to O’Neil, but suffered torn retinas in both eyes and was told by doctors on the show that he should no longer fight.
Saturday’s TUF 13 Finale takes place at The Pearl at The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The main card, which will air live on Spike, features a highly anticipated lightweight contenders fight between Clay Guida and Anthony Pettis, the last WEC lightweight champion. And Ed Herman and Tim Credeur meet in a middleweight bout, the return to action for both after nearly two years off because of injuries.
LAS VEGAS – Every season of “The Ultimate Fighter” has a villain. After the season, that villain usually wants to let the world know that he’s not really a villain, he just plays one – or is portrayed as one through editing – on TV. 
LAS VEGAS – Following Wednesday’s final regular-season episode of “