LAST WEEK: Teams were picked. Dana White and Tito believe Chuck Liddell did a bad job of picking his team, but Chuck says he has a strategy. He may be right, as Team Liddell member (and former Steve Irwin compatriot) Kyle Noke defeats Clayton McKinney in the first fight of the season. White says Ortiz has the better team, but concedes that Liddell may have the better strategy.
We start off with Dana and the coaches entering the training center, where both teams are already gathered. White calls Chris Camozzi to the front and tells him that he has exactly what the UFC is looking for. Unfortunately, he has a broken jaw and can no longer continue in the competition. Camozzi is understandably bummed to be going home. Dana says it’s unfortunate, but he’s not going to put someone in a situation where they can break their jaw in half.
With Camozzi gone, Ortiz is given the chance to bring back one of the losers from the qualifying matches.
Team Liddell has a training session. Liddell teaches the team the finer points of delivering a short right hook. Court McGee says that Chuck is a fantastic coach because he gets around to everybody and doesn’t pick a favorite. John Hackleman says that Liddell’s team is a happier camp. There’s no turmoil because Chuck doesn’t allow it.
Back at the house, Nick Ring is receiving a massage from Charles Blanchard at 2am. Kris McCray says that doesn’t sit well with him, that 2am means you need to be brushing your teeth or be in bed. Yes, this is coming from a guy who used an airhorn to wake people up from slumber just last week. They make fun of Ring, who has assumed a stance in the doorway that they find questionable. Ring plays along, busting out various feminine poses in his tiny underwear. Yager tells Ring to put some pants on, but he refuses.
The next day at the training center, Ortiz reveals his pick for the guy who will come back to the show. It’s Seth Baczynski, who lost to McGee in the qualifying round. Seth says it’s weird to be back in the house, but he’s adapting and getting used to everything.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENT: Liddell picks Brad Tavares to take on James Hammortree from Team Ortiz.
Tito says he doesn’t want to put extra stress on James, but they have to win the fight. Team Ortiz begins preparing Hammortree for the fight.
Jamie Yager and Nick Ring get into an argument while training. Yager says Ring keeps running forward and calls him a few choice names, which Ring takes exception to. They have to be separated by the coaches and other fighters. Ortiz finally yells at Nick to chill out. Ring says that it’s not right for Yager to call a teammate names like he’s been doing. Ortiz says he doesn’t want to hear anybody complaining while sparring with each other. He says one of the guys will be the champion, but says the only way that can happen is if the team works together. Yager does not look convinced.
WEIGH-INS: Tavares 185.5, Hammortree 185.5
Team Liddell is in the gym. Tavares says he loves to fight because it’s fun and he loves hand to hand combat. Hackleman says Tavares is a little more raw than the other fighters, but is well-rounded and young. Howard Davis says Tavares has great punching power, but wishes he would throw the jab a little more. Tavares spars with Liddell in the cage, who looks odd without his trademark blue fight shorts. One interesting note is that Tavares was born in Hilo, Hawaii — the hometown of B.J. Penn.
Hammortree holds the Florida state record for fastest knockout at 5 seconds. Tito spends some time detailing the finer points of ground and pound and elbows.
FIGHT DAY: Tavares and Hammortree avoid each other in the house. Tavares says he likes to keep his mind clear so he can do what he has to do. Says he’s not going to back down, that he hates Hammortree right now because he’s the enemy.
BRAD TAVARES VS. JAMES HAMMORTREE
Round One: Feeling-out process to begin. Both guys throw half-hearted kicks that don’t land. Hammortree shoots for a takedown that Tavares stuffs, but Hammortree has an iron grip on Tavares’ left leg. Tavares reverses and uses a judo toss to take Hammortree down. He transitions to the back and secures a body triangle and begins working for a rear naked choke, but can’t get it and Hammortree escapes. Hammortree lands in half-guard and works with some elbows that miss. Tavares back to his feet, and now it’s Hammortree with a judo throw that misses, with both guys getting back to their feet. Hammortree uses a double underhook to take Tavares down, but Tavares reverses and ends up on Hammortree’s back. He works to secure the hooks, but Hammortree stands up and throws him over the top. Tavares ends up back on the back and attempts a drag takedown, but Hammortree stuffs and ends up back in half guard. He throws some light elbows until Tavares gets back to his feet, but Hammortree drags him down and sprawls on top in a north south position. Tavares gets back to his feet as the round ends. Heavy.com scores it 10-9 for Tavares, but it was incredibly close and could easily go the other way.
Round Two: Touch of gloves. Hammortree throws a lead right and moves in for a takedown, but Tavares stuffs it against the cage. Jostling with both guys attempting a takedown, and Tavares finally gets it and ends up in the guard. Hammortree tries a kimura, can’t get it, but gets back to his feet. Tavares slips while trying a high knee in the feet but immediately gets back up. He tries another judo throw but Hammortree stuffs this one and takes his back. Hammerfists from Hammortree. Hammorfists, perhaps? Tavares goes for a kimura but fails. Tavares gets back to his feet and goes for a kimura again. Hammortree with a standing knee and then a takedown, but Tavares maintains his kimura grip. He doesn’t want to let go. He finally snaps it out, but Hammortree is able to recover. Tavares still won’t let go of the arm. He really, really wants the kimura, but Hammortree is still on top. Tavares pops it out again and nearly gets the kimura but is in a bad position. He finally lets go and rolls to his back, and Hammortree gets into his guard. Hammortree lands punches from the top, but Tavares keeps him close to prevent them from doing much damage. Hammortree postures up in an attempt to get some power but Tavares keeps him close enough to avoid it. Tavares is obviously working for an armbar but can’t get it as the round ends. Heavy.com scores it 10-9 for Hammortree, but it was another close round. Ortiz wisely tells Hammortree to get ready for another round. Yep, we’re going to a third round.
Round Three: Tavares is tired. Ortiz is giving Hammortree instruction but he’s not listening, so he might be tired as well. Both men trade punches but neither land solid. Hammortree gets a takedown and lands in half guard. Hammortree attempts a big elbow that mostly misses, them jumps into full mount. Tavares gets out and ends up on top, landing a big standing punch, but Hammortree gets out and tries another takedown. He doesn’t fully get it and Tavares ends up on his knees against the cage. Hammortree keeps holding the leg and tries another takedown, but Tavares again ends up o his knees. Tavares is clearly eyeing another kimura attempt, but he’s also landing hammerfists. Hammortree appears to have exhausted himself during the attempts to get Tavares to the ground. Tavares, meanwhile, continues working for a kimura. Both fighters back to their feet, with Hammortree pushing him into the cage. Hammortree does a half-hearted leg trip attempt. Tavares pulls out the kimura just as the round ends. This was incredibly close and could easily go either way, but Hammortree’s failed attempts at takedowns in the third will be the deciding factor. Heavy.com scores the round 10-9 for Tavares, and he gets the win.
WINNER: Brad Tavares by unanimous decision
Team Ortiz is shocked by the result. Liddell congratulates Tavares.
Ortiz says all he wants is for his guys to go in and give their all, and Hammortree did that. Privately, he voices his frustration by the decision and says he’s doesn’t understand it at all. Hammortree says he hopes to come back for the wild card position.