jakkups
06-17-2009, 10:54 PM
Episode No. 12 recap: "The Ultimate Fighter: U.S. vs. U.K." welterweight semifinal (http://mmajunkie.com/news/15234/episode-no-12-recap-the-ultimate-fighter-u-s-vs-u-k-welterweight-semifinal.mma)
Episode No. 12 of "The Ultimate Fighter: U.S. vs. U.K. – the final episode of the season – will see the Team U.S. welterweight Frank Lester face a former foe in Team U.K.'s James Wilks to determine who will face DaMarques Johnson in the live finale.
But before that, it's an old-fashioned barbecue with the U.S. squad. Ribs, chicken, asparagus and cauliflower ear are on the menu.
Afterward, Johnson encourages Lester for the showdown, citing the scrappy fighter's tolerance for pain as the reason he'll make it through.
The U.K. squad thinks Wilks needs to be prepared as Lester is gaining momentum as he gets comfortable in the cage. Team U.K. coach Michael Bisping thinks Wilks' best chances will be to dominate on the ground.
On the verge of his third fight in just three weeks, Lester sports a mohawk along with his black eye.
Lester and Wilks spend some time together back at the house, including an exchange of autographed "TUF" team shirts. The pair then cuts weight together, and Lester thinks he'll be a bit more relaxed than he was just two weeks ago based on the budding friendship.
Back at the house, Team U.K. and its coaches enjoy a curry dinner together, courtesy of Dean Amasinger, as well as a few frosty beverages. Whether the house is starting to get to the fighters, or the beer, Team U.K. lightweight Andre Winner starts to spit out his food, then throw it, moments after the coaches make their departure from the house.
Amasinger is caught in the neck and chest with some of the hurled curry, and he gingerly tosses Winner into the pool. Welterweight David Faulkner then covers Winner in flour as he tries to climb out of the water before Amasinger pushes him back in. Cooler heads prevail, and things settle down before they get out of hand.
In the Team U.S. quarters, Lester is tearing up, full of emotions. Johnson talks him down, and the squad sleeps in anticipation of the season's final elimination bout.
The preparation is quick, and Lester prepares to gain revenge for the removal of his teeth in the pair's first meeting.
Frank Lester vs. James Wilks II
A touch of gloves gets us underway as referee Herb Dean oversees the action. Wilks takes the center of the cage and Lester circles.
The two briefly trade jabs, and a low kick catches Lester in the groin. It's a brief break, and Lester returns after just a few seconds of rest. Wilks lands a few low kicks and a few solid punches before Lester answers with a few leg kicks of his own.
Team U.S. coach Dan Henderson begs for the jab, but Lester has a bit of trouble gauging the range and his reach deficit. A pair of jabs is again exchanged before Wilks tries for a takedown. Wilks rushes in, but Lester keeps his balance.
Lester and Wilks spin on the fence before Lester separates and attacks. A few punches land before Wilks works back into the clinch. Wilks tries unsuccessfully for a trip but settles for a clinch against the fence before moving away.
Wilks again lands a few jabs before time expires. It's a close round, and both corners tell their fighter he won.
The second round starts with an immediate cup check by a Lester low kick. Wilks winces before taking a break. The action only stops briefly, and Lester lands a few left hooks before Wilks answers with a high kick.
Lester swings and misses on a few hard blows, and Wilks picks him apart with a few jabs. Henderson calls for Lester to lead the action, but Wilks continues to do more damage.
Lester's nose is bleeding two minutes into the round, but he manages to score with a hard left hand. Wilks answers back and closes the distance. With nothing doing in the clinch, Wilks backs away.
The blood on Lester's face is spreading, and Henderson continues to push for him to go on the attack. Lester looks winded, though he fights courageously, but Wilks scores with a high kick and a series of punches. With time winding down, Wilks grabs a Thai clinch and scores with several punishing knees to the head.
Lester's battered, and certainly loses the second, but he makes it to the final frame.
Wilks lands a series of low kicks and punches to open the round, and Lester may simply not have enough to win the bout. Wilks scores again inside before looking for a takedown from the clinch. Lester shows balance in staying on his feet and pulling away.
Lester throws a few wild, winded blows, but Wilks closes the distance again. Wilks lands a left knee inside that drops an exhausted Lester, and a few final blows force the end of the contest.
Following the bout, Team U.S. comments on Wilks taunts during the contest, and Johnson says he can't wait to get into the cage with the Brit.
UFC president Dana White again confirms his affinity for Lester, who is beside himself in the locker room. Lester has now fought four times in 34 days, and he's exhausted in every sense of the word.
The finale is set, and Team U.K. gets three team members into the finals.
Henderson thanks the opposition, but admits he's ready to beat the "douchebag" on July 11.
WELTERWEIGHT SEMIFINAL
* James Wilks def. Frank Lester via TKO (strikes) - Round 3, 2:21
Episode No. 12 of "The Ultimate Fighter: U.S. vs. U.K. – the final episode of the season – will see the Team U.S. welterweight Frank Lester face a former foe in Team U.K.'s James Wilks to determine who will face DaMarques Johnson in the live finale.
But before that, it's an old-fashioned barbecue with the U.S. squad. Ribs, chicken, asparagus and cauliflower ear are on the menu.
Afterward, Johnson encourages Lester for the showdown, citing the scrappy fighter's tolerance for pain as the reason he'll make it through.
The U.K. squad thinks Wilks needs to be prepared as Lester is gaining momentum as he gets comfortable in the cage. Team U.K. coach Michael Bisping thinks Wilks' best chances will be to dominate on the ground.
On the verge of his third fight in just three weeks, Lester sports a mohawk along with his black eye.
Lester and Wilks spend some time together back at the house, including an exchange of autographed "TUF" team shirts. The pair then cuts weight together, and Lester thinks he'll be a bit more relaxed than he was just two weeks ago based on the budding friendship.
Back at the house, Team U.K. and its coaches enjoy a curry dinner together, courtesy of Dean Amasinger, as well as a few frosty beverages. Whether the house is starting to get to the fighters, or the beer, Team U.K. lightweight Andre Winner starts to spit out his food, then throw it, moments after the coaches make their departure from the house.
Amasinger is caught in the neck and chest with some of the hurled curry, and he gingerly tosses Winner into the pool. Welterweight David Faulkner then covers Winner in flour as he tries to climb out of the water before Amasinger pushes him back in. Cooler heads prevail, and things settle down before they get out of hand.
In the Team U.S. quarters, Lester is tearing up, full of emotions. Johnson talks him down, and the squad sleeps in anticipation of the season's final elimination bout.
The preparation is quick, and Lester prepares to gain revenge for the removal of his teeth in the pair's first meeting.
Frank Lester vs. James Wilks II
A touch of gloves gets us underway as referee Herb Dean oversees the action. Wilks takes the center of the cage and Lester circles.
The two briefly trade jabs, and a low kick catches Lester in the groin. It's a brief break, and Lester returns after just a few seconds of rest. Wilks lands a few low kicks and a few solid punches before Lester answers with a few leg kicks of his own.
Team U.S. coach Dan Henderson begs for the jab, but Lester has a bit of trouble gauging the range and his reach deficit. A pair of jabs is again exchanged before Wilks tries for a takedown. Wilks rushes in, but Lester keeps his balance.
Lester and Wilks spin on the fence before Lester separates and attacks. A few punches land before Wilks works back into the clinch. Wilks tries unsuccessfully for a trip but settles for a clinch against the fence before moving away.
Wilks again lands a few jabs before time expires. It's a close round, and both corners tell their fighter he won.
The second round starts with an immediate cup check by a Lester low kick. Wilks winces before taking a break. The action only stops briefly, and Lester lands a few left hooks before Wilks answers with a high kick.
Lester swings and misses on a few hard blows, and Wilks picks him apart with a few jabs. Henderson calls for Lester to lead the action, but Wilks continues to do more damage.
Lester's nose is bleeding two minutes into the round, but he manages to score with a hard left hand. Wilks answers back and closes the distance. With nothing doing in the clinch, Wilks backs away.
The blood on Lester's face is spreading, and Henderson continues to push for him to go on the attack. Lester looks winded, though he fights courageously, but Wilks scores with a high kick and a series of punches. With time winding down, Wilks grabs a Thai clinch and scores with several punishing knees to the head.
Lester's battered, and certainly loses the second, but he makes it to the final frame.
Wilks lands a series of low kicks and punches to open the round, and Lester may simply not have enough to win the bout. Wilks scores again inside before looking for a takedown from the clinch. Lester shows balance in staying on his feet and pulling away.
Lester throws a few wild, winded blows, but Wilks closes the distance again. Wilks lands a left knee inside that drops an exhausted Lester, and a few final blows force the end of the contest.
Following the bout, Team U.S. comments on Wilks taunts during the contest, and Johnson says he can't wait to get into the cage with the Brit.
UFC president Dana White again confirms his affinity for Lester, who is beside himself in the locker room. Lester has now fought four times in 34 days, and he's exhausted in every sense of the word.
The finale is set, and Team U.K. gets three team members into the finals.
Henderson thanks the opposition, but admits he's ready to beat the "douchebag" on July 11.
WELTERWEIGHT SEMIFINAL
* James Wilks def. Frank Lester via TKO (strikes) - Round 3, 2:21