The Ultimate Fighter 11: Episode 8 Recap

MATCHMAKING

It’s time to pick the quarterfinal fights. Dana asks Chuck who he wants to pick, and Liddell says he doesn’t know. Tito has a look on his face like “this dude has lost his marbles.” Tito then offers his opinion, and Dana agrees. Chuck comes to life and starts arguing, mostly because he doesn’t want Tito to get his way. Tito says that Chuck and Dana want a third round for Nick and Court, so why not do the rematch? He makes a good point. Dana finally agrees, and Chuck starts complaining about Tito getting his way. Dana kicks the coaches out of the room so he can make a final decision.

QUARTERFINAL FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Court McGee vs. Nick Ring
Kyle Noke vs. Kris McCray
Brad Tavares vs. Seth Baczynski
Jamie Yager vs. Josh Bryant

So in the end, we still have team vs. team bouts in the quarterfinal. Chuck says it would be great if they could win all the fights, and then asks if the producers could send Tito home if that happens.

DATE NIGHT

Forrest Griffin shows up at the TUF house wearing “his creepy trench coat” and sporting an epic wood-dweller beard. And then we have what amounts to a 2 minute infomercial for UFC Undisputed 2010, with the fighters playing each other while going over the selling points for the game. Good timing, considering that the game comes out next Tuesday.

The next day, Nick goes to the doctor to get his knee checked out. The doc tells him he has very little tissue left in the knee and that he’ll need a third ACL reconstructive surgery. Nick is emotional while talking about it. The doctor says the best case scenario is for him to put up with the pain and swelling and fight through it, then have the surgery at the end of the show. That option will risk the chance of ruining his knee forever and ending his career. Alternatively, he can pull out of the tourney and have the surgery now.

Dana shows up at the house to talk to Nick. Dana says he was told Nick can fight through it, but Nick elects to pull out of the show and have surgery. It’s the smart move, but the show is produced to make Nick look a little weak. Nick doesn’t want to pull out but says the only options he would have in a fight is to go in and pull guard. Nick knows he’s losing a big opportunity, but your body tells you when you have to stop.

Dana talks to the fighters and tells them the news. They have to make a decision on who to bring back. Hammortree decides to follow Dana outside and ask for the fight. Surprisingly, Dana gives it to him. Joe is upset because if he’d known he had to ask for the fight, he would have done it before anybody. Sometimes you just have to take the initiative. Just like that, Hammortree takes Nick’s spot in the competition, and he’ll face Court.