CHUCK O’NEIL VS. JAVIER TORRES
Round 1: Chuck is the more aggressive early, throwing a head kick and following with hands. They clinch on the cage and Chuck is following instructions from Brock. Javier controls him on the cage in the clinch, landing some knees, but nothing solid. They break with Chuck landing a right as they exit. Javier presses back into the clinch along the fence. Chuck tries a trip but can’t get it. Javier lands a knee. Chuck tries to take him down again, but can’t. Javier seems content to remain in the clinch doing very little. Chuck gets kneed in the pills, but shakes it off quickly. Chuck is the more aggressive again in space; Javier just seems happy to feint and move without throwing. Junior says he’s waiting too much. Chuck lands an inside leg kick, then catches Javier with a counter left as he’s coming in. Javier clinches again, and they wrestle along the fence through the end of the round without much action.
If this is Javier’s version of the most exciting fight of the season, we have very different interpretations of what constitutes exciting.
Brock tells Chuck he’s doing good and listening good in his corner, both of which are true. Personally, I score it 10-9 Chuck; he landed the only real shots of the entire round, but I can see 10-9 Javier or 10-10 coming from the judges if we get that far.
Round 2: Chuck is first again, and Brock tells him to hold the center of the Octagon. Chuck is landing little shots every time Javier comes in. Javier rushes him into the fence, then gets a takedown. Chuck gets up quickly, then scores a trip takedown of his own. He works for a kimura from the top, locked down in half guard. Javier isn’t working hard from the bottom at all, despite Junior imploring him to do something. Chuck mixes some body shots in with the kimura attempt. Javier can’t do anything from the bottom. As he tries to sweep Chuck and shrimp out, Chuck stays heavy, keeping him on the ground. He goes back to the kimura again. Javier tries to sweep Chuck again, but Chuck sinks in a D’Arce choke, forcing Javier to tap.
Chuck O’Neill defeats Javier Torres by Submission (D’Arce Choke) – Round 2
Chuck says that was the real “Cold Steel.” Dana says Javier has an unappealing style and he was looking for someone to counter that.
Javier says he made a mistake and he’ll learn from it. Chuck says he still thinks he’s going to win this competition.
It’s 4-4 heading to the quarterfinals, and Dana announces the match-ups:
Clay Harvison vs. Ramsey Najim
Chris Cope vs. Shamar Bailey
Chuck O’Neill vs. Zach Davis in a rematch
Tony Ferguson vs. Ryan McGillivray
On the next episode of The Ultimate Fighter: The wreslter versus the striker, Ramsey vs. Clay, and Shamar gets his chance to shut Chris up once and for all. The quarterfinals start next week!